Reactivate Windows after a hardware change
Using the Activation troubleshooter after a new motherboard or another major change
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Last Update hace 10 días
Windows 11 ties its digital licence to the PC's hardware. Microsoft explains that "When installing Windows 11, the digital license associates itself with your device's hardware," so after a major change, such as a new motherboard, Windows may not recognise the PC and shows it as not activated. The codes that usually appear are 0xC004F211, "Windows reported that the hardware of your device has changed", and 0xC004F213, "Windows reported that no product key was found on your device."
With a licence linked to your Microsoft account
- Sign in to Windows with an administrator account.
- Go to Settings > System > Activation and select Troubleshoot. Microsoft notes that "This troubleshooter will only be available if your copy of Windows 11 isn't activated."
- Select I changed hardware on this device recently, then Next.
- Sign in with the Microsoft account the licence is linked to. The troubleshooter only works with that account.
- Pick the device you're using from the list and select Activate.
Without a linked account
Enter your product key again on the Activation page, using Change product key. If Windows can't activate it online, follow Activate Windows when online activation doesn't work.
The licence type matters
Microsoft's licence terms treat licence types differently after a hardware change. A retail licence can move to another device you own, as long as it's removed from the old one. An OEM licence, the kind that comes preinstalled, stays with the device it was sold with. Retail, OEM and volume licences explains the differences, and the product page for your licence says which type it is.
If reactivation fails after a hardware change, contact us with your order number, a screenshot of the Activation page and a list of the parts you changed.