Link your Windows licence to a Microsoft account
Linking now lets the Activation troubleshooter reactivate Windows after a hardware change
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Last Update 10 days ago
Linking the licence to your Microsoft account is what lets you reactivate Windows yourself after a major hardware change, such as a new motherboard. Microsoft's reactivation guide explains that linking the account "allows you to reactivate Windows using the Activation troubleshooter". Do it while Windows is activated and working.
Check whether it's already linked
Open Settings > System > Activation. When the licence is linked, the status line says Windows is activated with a digital licence linked to your Microsoft account. If it doesn't mention your account, link it now.
Link the licence
- Sign in to Windows with an administrator account.
- Open Settings > System > Activation.
- Select Add an account and sign in with your Microsoft account.
- Check the status line again.
Microsoft strongly recommends linking the licence on every Windows 11 PC.
What linking does
Linking records the PC's licence against your account so the Activation troubleshooter can find it. It doesn't turn one licence into several, and the licence still covers this one PC. Reactivate Windows after a hardware change shows how the troubleshooter uses it.