Unactivated Windows

[Wensi]

So I recently did a clean install of windows and it says that it is not actived in the bottom left corner of my screen. I used the same copy of windows that I did before, so is that why this happening? If so how do I "active" windows?

[imreloadin]

2 minutes ago, Wensi said:

So I recently did a clean install of windows and it says that it is not actived in the bottom left corner of my screen. I used the same copy of windows that I did before, so is that why this happening? If so how do I "active" windows?

Have you connected your computer to the internet yet? I know activation can only happen once you've actually been online.

[Wensi]

Just now, imreloadin said:

Have you connected your computer to the internet yet? I know activation can only happen once you've actually been online.

Yes I'm using that computer to send you this message right now.

[Enderman]

Windows 10?

And you had windows 10 installed before you reinstalled?

It should activate itself when you connect to the internet unless you did something like replace the motherboard.

[Wensi]

Just now, Enderman said:

Windows 10?

And you had windows 10 installed before you reinstalled?

It should activate itself when you connect to the internet unless you did something like replace the motherboard.

Yes this is windows 10 and I had it before, I had to do a reinstall because I swapped motherboards... 

[MoonlightSylv]

1 minute ago, Wensi said:

Yes this is windows 10 and I had it before, I had to do a reinstall because I swapped motherboards... 

Use the "Contact support" app built in to Windows 10, explain it to them, and they should activate it.

[imreloadin]

1 minute ago, Wensi said:

Yes this is windows 10 and I had it before, I had to do a reinstall because I swapped motherboards... 

Ahh that's the reason. Microsoft locks the product key to the motherboard itself so that's why it's not letting you activate it.

Just do the over the phone activation and tell them you had to replace the motherboard as the other one was defective so they'll be more inclined to reactivate it. Technically if you upgrade or swap motherboards you're supposed to buy a new license if you just had an OEM product key.

[Enderman]

4 minutes ago, Wensi said:

Yes this is windows 10 and I had it before, I had to do a reinstall because I swapped motherboards... 

Well, your only option now is to call microsoft and tell them you changed your motherboard and hope they give you a new key.

And don't use the online chat, you actually need to call.

 

It would have been much easier if you had done this before clean installing: http://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-tweaks-activation-rules-for-the-windows-10-anniversary-update/