Unable to activate Windows

[Homer]

So I fixed the Windows Explorer issue, but I have another one...
Because I changed my motherboard, Windows is no longer activated. I can't activate again because when I choose 'I recently changed my hardware' in the menu, a Microsoft account window appears, but it's white for two minutes then closes.

[nullable]

You may have to contact MS support...

[Chompman]

If you bought an oem version of windows then when you change your motherboard you will technically need a new windows code as the other one was linked to the old motherboard.

If you are simply not getting a area to input the new os code then that's something on microsofts end you need to look at.

[Out Of Bubblegum]

I had something similar. I was forced by MS support to create a MS account and to change my admin account to log into that MS account in order to get my activation back. So try that first, before contacting them.

[[☥] - CJ -]

Usually if you tie your Windows key to a microsoft account it allows the transfer of the key, which is probably why it asks for one.

If you are able to hook the old system back up to where windows is activated you can use the program SPECCY to get your Windows key, but theres no guarantee that entering the key on the new board will allow it to activate.

its always a good idea to have a backup of your Windows key in situations like this

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Clean install the latest Win10 64bit build/version. Then login with Ms account from the very beginning if your activation was tied to that.

[Jelly Donut]

Did you uninstall the Windows Key via command prompt before switching your motherboard? Unless your license key is tied to a Microsoft Account, you're likely to get errors since the old key is still in the windows installation of your old motherboard.

You can try it by booting your windows back on the old motherboard and:

Run command prompt as Administrator and enter
slmgr -upk

plug HDD/SSD back to new motherboard and enter product key.

Did it when I switched from a Z370 board to a newer Z390 board. Worked fine. Even Microsoft account didn't activate windows in my new motherboard since Microsoft detected I was using the key on the Z370.

[chiefputsilao✖️ping]

if you changed motherboards, just try to do windows activation troubleshooting as outline in this official microsoft page:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-ph/help/20527/windows-10-activation-troubleshooter

it will take only a few minutes. if it fails, contact ms support directly according to your region's hotline.

[Homer]

Postat inițial de chiefputsilao✖️ping:

if you changed motherboards, just try to do windows activation troubleshooting as outline in this official microsoft page:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-ph/help/20527/windows-10-activation-troubleshooter

it will take only a few minutes. if it fails, contact ms support directly according to your region's hotline.

I tried it, actually worked this time, I selected my device and it said 'Unable to activate Windows.'

[Cathulhu]

After all what seemed to have happened in the past, you may be better off starting from scratch with a new installation of Windows. Whatever happened and whatever you did to fix it, has left some deep scars.