Replaced motherboard

[DvK]

But it says i have to activate windows but i checked and i cant because it says its unlicensed and i really dont want to buy windows again because this annoying watermark while working

 

[bassfisher6522]

If you had a legit copy of windows, it wouldn't have that water mark on it.

 

[Bighorn]

Replacing the motherboard could be showing Microsoft it is a different computer, probably the biggest change one can make that will not activate without a phone call to Microsoft.

 

[bassfisher6522]

Replacing the motherboard could be showing Microsoft it is a different computer, probably the biggest change one can make that will not activate without a phone call to Microsoft.

The key word for me that sets of a big red flag is the OP mention of the "watermark". No legit copy has that.

 

[davehc]

I have recently, change a couple of motherboards. As it happens, they were Dells. These were pre licenced with Microsoft, by Dell. There was documentation with them, should the activation go wrong, including a new, licenced, key. After installation they were already activated.

I agree with Bass. There should not be a watermark. The OP can sort out the problem with a quick call to the MS facility.

 

[DvK]

I have recently, change a couple of motherboards. As it happens, they were Dells. These were pre licenced with Microsoft, by Dell. There was documentation with them, should the activation go wrong, including a new, licenced, key. After installation they were already activated.

I agree with Bass. There should not be a watermark. The OP can sort out the problem with a quick call to the MS facility.

The key word for me that sets of a big red flag is the OP mention of the "watermark". No legit copy has that.

Replacing the motherboard could be showing Microsoft it is a different computer, probably the biggest change one can make that will not activate without a phone call to Microsoft.

Hey guys thanks that (some of) you were trying to help me but for some reason its just gone so i guess thats going for me

 

[Jake B]

But it says i have to activate windows but i checked and i cant because it says its unlicensed and i really dont want to buy windows again because this annoying watermark while working

Well if you used a Microsoft account to login it would link the hardware change to your Digital Entitlement. This link was a new feature on one of the Windows 10 updates. It was added to limit the need to call MS after doing a hardware change and then a Windows install. No it used to be that MS considered a motherboard upgrade a new computer but they haven't been clear on that now. It used to be a motherboard replacement for damaged board with the same motherboard was ok but a change or upgrade was a new PC and required a new license.