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Updated Motherboard and CPU cannot activate Windows 11

Bugsy 0 Reputation points
2025-08-05T06:06:53.7933333+00:00

I recently upgraded my CPU and motherboard, only a few weeks after buying Windows from the Microsoft store, now I get errors and I cannot activate Windows or move to the device.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation
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  1. Chen1018 10,415 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-08-05T06:41:39.7366667+00:00

    Hi there,

    I’m Cherrelyn, and I’m here to help.

    Since you changed your motherboard and CPU, Windows sees it as a new device. This is why activation fails your digital license was linked to the old hardware. Please sign in with the same Microsoft account used to purchase Windows, then go to Settings > System > Activation > Troubleshoot, and select "I changed hardware on this device recently." Follow the prompts to reactivate. If that doesn’t work, you may need to contact Microsoft Support to manually reactivate your license.

    I hope this helps, and if you have any questions, feel free to reply to this post.

    Warm regards,

    Cherrelyn

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