Windows 10 won't accept key

[★ Coups ★]

I recently upgraded my motherboard and cpu. Before I did this I was using Windows 10 Operating System. I am still using Windows 10 but it wants me to insert a key and activate windows, if I do not do this it doesnt let me personalise my computer.

 

Ive tried to use my existing windows 7 key but it has an error. (Error COde:0xc004f050)

 

Please help. I like customisation :rolleyes:

 

It has the "Activate Windows" text on every window too.

 

Thanks

[That_Random_Guy]

I recently upgraded my motherboard and cpu. 

Well if you have oem version of windows then there could be your problem.

 

oem licences are bound to the mobo its origionally installed on, so once you change it then your key wont activate

Edited December 30, 2015 by That_Random_Guy

[★ Coups ★]

Well if you have oem version of windows then there could be your problem

 

My windows 7 came via "A Class Products"

[-rascal-]

I recently upgraded my motherboard and cpu. Before I did this I was using Windows 10 Operating System. I am still using Windows 10 but it wants me to insert a key and activate windows, if I do not do this it doesnt let me personalise my computer.

 

Ive tried to use my existing windows 7 key but it has an error.

 

Please help. I like customisation :rolleyes:

 

It has the "Activate Windows" text on every window too.

 

Thanks

 

Your problem is because you replaced your motherboard.

If you want to use Windows 10 again, you need to install Windows 7 with your Windows 7 Product Key, and re-do the Windows 7 -> 10 upgrade again.

 

When you first went through with the free upgrade from Windows 7 to 10, during the process, your hardware / firmware (not software) information was recorded, and saved into the Microsoft servers.

 

The critical part is they take the information of your motherboard. Because you replaced your motherboard, when you reinstall Windows 10 again, your firmware information no longer matches to what was stored in the servers from before.

 

What you have to do (in steps):

1. Perform a fresh install of Windows 7.
2. Enter/use your existing Windows 7 Product Key.
3. If you run into a problem here, you may need to give Microsoft a friendly call, tell them about your situation, and ask them to help reactivate your Windows 7 Key.
4. Download the "Get Windows 10" .exe file directly from Microsoft. https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10
5. Run the program, it will go through the 7 to 10 upgrade process.
6. During the upgrade process, a new Windows 10 key will be generated, and with the information of your NEW hardware.

[X1XNobleX1X]

 

I think you're in trouble, you should have just upgraded your Windows 7 -> Windows 10 instead of doing a clean install. Do you still have your Windows 7 install on the HDD?

 

I did the same thing, and had issues as I thought you could just use your Windows key in Windows 10. But it was because it was an OEM key, and Microsoft tech support told me I had to contact my OEM provider for an ID or something like that.

 

 

I ended up just buying Windows 10 from :http://www.kinguin.net/category/19429/windows-10-professional-oem-key/ easier than actually trying to fix it.

[X1XNobleX1X]

Well if you have oem version of windows then there could be your problem.

 

oem licences are bound to the mobo its origionally installed on, so once you change it then your key wont activate

Not entirely true, not sure if it's supposed to work this way, but I did a clean install using the same Windows 7 key and it didn't accept the key didn't change any of the components.

[Pitythefool]

I believe you can 'move' OEM licenses from system to system even though you're not supposed to or be able too. It's just more of a pain and you have to potentially talk to people.

[User1868]

Maybe try this:

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/106642-how-to-keep-your-current-windows-install-with-a-new-motherboard/

[techguru]

you could phone ms and tell them your mb died..they might give you a new key

[★ Coups ★]

I contacted Windows. Wasnt much help. Thanks for the help anyway guys, I guess I'll have to purchase a new key.

 

 

Edit: Purchased a key, works fine. Thanks everyone!