Any user one day begins to think about how to update their computer, in whole or in part. Unfortunately, replacing such an important element as a motherboard, the user may encounter an unactivated operating system. How to activate Windows 10 after changing the motherboard?
What problems can you face when updating the motherboard
As noted above, the motherboard is the central link of the computer, since it is on it that all the data about those devices that are connected to the computer are concentrated. When replacing the motherboard, data will simply be lost, which causes an OS startup error. Visually, the error looks like a classic screen of death.
How to restore Windows 10 activation after motherboard update
Another issue resulting from the board upgrade is the operating system license zeroing. In this case, you need to reactivate the OS. This can be done in two simple steps.
Preparatory stage
You need to complete it even before the motherboard is updated on the computer. The essence of the preparatory stage is to link your already activated and licensed copy of the OS to the Microsoft account. To do this:
- Go to the OS settings and go to the "Updates and Security" settings. OS options can be found in the Start menu.
- Go to the Activation tab and choose to add a Microsoft account. It is important to make sure that the OS is activated with a digital license.
- After that, you need to enter the account data in the form and click on "Login". If you do not have an account, you need to create one.
After all these steps, the OS license will be linked to the active Microsoft record. The motherboard can now be replaced.
License recovery
Now you need to restore the operating system license after replacing the old motherboard with a new one. This requires the following actions:
- Go to activation, as in the first step of the first stage.
- Click in the category "Activation" on the line "Troubleshooting". Important: if you change one of the key hardware components in the section with OS activation, a corresponding entry will appear stating that the OS version is not activated.
- Wait for the computer to finish scanning and determine that a hardware component has been changed on the device. The user may also be prompted to go to the online store to buy the OS. But you shouldn't do that.
- After that, you need to sign in to your Microsoft account.
- After authorization is completed, you need to select those components that have been replaced, and then click on "Activate".
That's all - now the operating system is activated. It remains only to use. Of course, this applies to those cases when a person has a licensed and official version with a key and without activators.
