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Question

reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change

Nov 5, 2018 11:44AM PST

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
which piece of hardware?
Nov 5, 2018 11:53AM PST

Also, might consider setting your computer as a "laptop" since that allows more hardware changes before tripping the activation virus on windows computers.

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which piece of hardware
Nov 5, 2018 1:57PM PST

CPU (tower)

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Answer
When it offers to reactivate I do that.
Nov 5, 2018 12:44PM PST

If it's a motherboard change as in a desktop, there is a VERY NARROW PATH to get a free license key. I can't tell if it will work for you and it only applies to other than most makers (Dell, Acer, etc.) If your home made desktop motherboard burns out, Microsoft does not want to go to court over replacing the motherboard so they have been issuing new activation keys.

BUT and this is very important. NEVER tell them you changed the motherboard because you wanted to. ALWAYS tell them the motherboard failed, burnt out and it wasn't your choice. Otherwise you have to buy a new license. This is not an offer to explain licensing.

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(NT) Thank you.
Nov 5, 2018 1:54PM PST
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Tell more about what TOWER means.
Nov 5, 2018 2:22PM PST

If you replace the entire tower, I don't see any free path to a new license. That goes well beyond the narrow path I know about.

There's another path that is less well known. Did you buy a license or did it come with the old PC? This is a very tricky area so details matter.

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tower
Nov 5, 2018 7:16PM PST

Tower is the cpu for a desktop

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That's unclear.
Nov 5, 2018 9:39PM PST

If it's the entire desktop, unless you paid about 99 or so dollars the license will 99% surely not transfer. The CPU is just the chip in our desktops today. So "cpu for a desktop" needs clarification for me to be exact on the license.

So is it just the CPU or the entire case and what's inside?
Did you buy a W10 license? And let's be clear that a Dell PC included a license but with OEM limitations that mean the license is only good for that machine.

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Answer
Well are you using a Microsoft account?
Nov 6, 2018 4:16AM PST

If you are hardware changes are linked to your original hardware configuration stored on Microsoft's server. Otherwise you have to call MS.

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hardware change
Nov 6, 2018 4:27AM PST

I'm thoroughly confused. Turning the problem over to Geek Squad. Thanks for the help.

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That's going to hurt.
Nov 7, 2018 7:40AM PST

What happens next is they charge not only for the new license but the install fee and more.

Please tell us what happens so others may learn from this.

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If the cost of Geek Squad...
Nov 7, 2018 12:46PM PST

...is more than you are willing to pay, consider Mint Linux. It's one of the most used versions out there by former windows users. I would opt for the very stable version 18.3 for now. Here's a video on version 19.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI7QQqnV1P8