When you make a significant hardware change to your device, such as replacing the motherboard, Windows 10 might no longer be activated. REACTIVATING WINDOWS 10 AFTER A HARDWARE CHANGE You’ll be able to confirm that your Windows 10 has been activated and that your Microsoft account is associated with your digital license.Ĭheck Activation Status In Settings: ms-settings:activation?activationSource=SMC-Article-12440 To find out, select the Start button, and then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation. Make sure that Windows 10 is activated before you try to reinstall it. If you have a digital license for your device, you can reinstall the same edition of Windows 10 on this device without entering a product key. There should be NO WORK REQUIRED ON YOUR PART.įor a brief video tutorial on how your digital license was activated, click below:ĭOWNLOAD THE DIGITAL LICENSE SET UP GUIDE Your computer has been installed and activated with Microsoft Windows 10. If you are using a digital license linked to a Microsoft account, you can run setup and skip the product key option by selecting “I don’t have a product key.” When you sign in with your Microsoft account and connect to the internet, you will be activated. This means that when you re-install Windows, it will detect the product key automatically as long as you are using the same original motherboard.įirst time installation and activation on a new device or motherboard The digital COA is embedded into the system's BIOS permanently.

Recharge PC uses a digital license method (called a digital entitlement in Windows 10, Version 1511) or digital Certificate of Authenticity (COA) to activate Microsoft Windows 10 that does not require you to enter a product key.

Microsoft digital license