I bought a digital key for Windows 11 from the Microsoft store. I am going to swap out a motherboard. Prior experience suggests, Windows will need to be reactivated and may need to be reinstalled.

A Windows 11 purchase from the Microsoft Store app typically uses a digital license, not a retrievable 25-character product key. The Microsoft account used for the purchase contains that digital license and can be used for activation.

Before replacing the motherboard:

1. Open Start > Settings > System > Activation.
2. Confirm one of these states appears:
   • Windows is activated with a digital license
   • Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account
3. If the license is not yet linked, sign in with the Microsoft account associated with the purchase so the digital license is linked before the hardware change.

After the motherboard swap:

1. Reinstall the same edition of Windows 11 that is currently licensed.
2. During setup, if asked for a product key, select I don't have a product key.
3. After installation, connect to the internet and sign in with the Microsoft account linked to the digital license.
4. If Windows is not activated, use the Activation troubleshooter to reactivate after the hardware change.

If reactivation still fails after the motherboard change, Microsoft support can assist through the Get Help app. In Windows, open Get Help, search for billing, then select Contact Support to reach support options such as chat.

• Activate Windows
• Find your Windows product key
• Reinstall Windows with the installation media