Windows 11 activation fails
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(96, 57.99999999999999%, 19%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EAV%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Arno Van Hee
0
Reputation points
I just replaced my motherboard and tried to reactivate windows on the new system but it fails. When I go to troubleshoot -> I recently changed hardware on this device. I get the error Unable to activate Windows and that it can't find any devices linked to my Microsoft account that can be used to reactivate the device.
When clicking on 'See other devices linked to your Microsoft account', I don't see any devices while I have my current/new computer, my old computer and a laptop all logged in the same account.
Context:
- I have a digital license linked to my Microsoft account.
- I am logged in the same account as my previous computer & current laptop
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Install and upgrade
-
EmilyS726 279.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor2026-11-11T21:03:46.08+00:00 Hello,
How did you obtain your license initially?
Did it come with the device preinstalled, or did you purchase it?
If you purchased it, did you purchase from Microsoft, or from third party?
Is it originally a Win7/8 key?
Sign in to comment
Sign in to answer