My motherboard got fried by a psu surge, and it won't let me transfer the code. How do I get a person.

Question

My motherboard got fried by a psu surge, and it won't let me transfer the code. How do I get a person.

Joseph Eggemeyer 0

They really need to stop the bs and treat their customers with respect.

Neil D 34,660 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-11-06T10:06:34.8433333+00:00
If you want to try Microsoft support use the Get Help app in windows and search the phrase billing then select Contact Support at the bottom of the window. Don't select any of the suggested links.

Next select two more filters then you should see Chat with a support agent in your web browser.

However you will need to provide evidence for the purchase of the licence you are trying to transfer. So you need to know the licence history.

If it originated from a Windows 10 upgrade to Windows 11 was Windows 10 part of the free upgrade from Windows 7/8.

Did you buy the Windows 11 licence yourself separate from the hardware.

Was the licence provided by the system builder/manufacturer.
Neil D 34,660 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-11-06T11:30:33.4466667+00:00

In addition to my previous comment.

Have you used the Activation Troubleshooter and selected I changed hardware to see if the licence is listed from your previous system build.

Also use this link https://visualsupport.microsoft.com/ and enter the details requested. Information you require should be shown by using slmgr /dlv [press return] in a Command prompt (Admin)

1 answer

Your answer

Neil D 34,660 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-11-06T10:06:34.8433333+00:00

If you want to try Microsoft support use the Get Help app in windows and search the phrase billing then select Contact Support at the bottom of the window. Don't select any of the suggested links.

Next select two more filters then you should see Chat with a support agent in your web browser.

However you will need to provide evidence for the purchase of the licence you are trying to transfer. So you need to know the licence history.

If it originated from a Windows 10 upgrade to Windows 11 was Windows 10 part of the free upgrade from Windows 7/8.

Did you buy the Windows 11 licence yourself separate from the hardware.

Was the licence provided by the system builder/manufacturer.
Neil D 34,660 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-11-06T11:30:33.4466667+00:00

In addition to my previous comment.

Have you used the Activation Troubleshooter and selected I changed hardware to see if the licence is listed from your previous system build.

Also use this link https://visualsupport.microsoft.com/ and enter the details requested. Information you require should be shown by using slmgr /dlv [press return] in a Command prompt (Admin)

Answer 1

Hi,

Regarding your request to transfer a Windows license: did you purchase the license separately, or did the computer come pre-activated with a license tied to its hardware?

If it is a license that came with the computer, it is an OEM license, which is non-transferable; unfortunately, you would need to purchase a new license.

However, if you purchased the license separately—whether it is a physical license (a 25-character key) or a digital one—you can follow the steps here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activation/reactivating-windows-after-a-hardware-change

If you have a 25-character key, ensure it matches the correct edition of Windows. You can enter the key during the Windows installation process, or, if Windows is already installed, go to:

Start menu > Settings > System > Activation > Change product key.

Please consider rating this response (by accepting the answer or otherwise) and visiting the Microsoft Q&A community if you have any further questions.

Thanks.