As I said You cannot use a Windows 7 or 8 based licence now. Microsoft blocked their use in 2023.
If there is a chance of it being allowed then using the Activation troubleshooter and selecting Changed hardware would be the only option.
Can you help me reactivate my Windows after a harware upgrade?
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Jacob H
5
Reputation points
Good afternoon!
I just finished upgrading my motherboard and processor. This was done to become compliant with Windows 11 requirements. I have upgraded my PC before, without any issues arising with my activation status. This time, I have a watermark/prompt in my lower right screen that is telling me I need to activate. It seems to come and go with a reboot - It showed up immediately after doing my upgrades, then went away for several days. It was almost as if windows was indeed able to confirm the legitimacy of my software at one point, but can't again.
Can you please help me get this reactivated? I really do not have the funds to spend another $200 on Windows after already spending several hundred on parts to make my PC compliant down the road. I feel as though I'm getting a bit ripped off here. My windows is legitimate and I have not had this issue with upgrading in the past. Please help me with activation!
Windows for home | Windows 10 | Licensing and activation
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Neil D 29,975 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator2025-11-20T19:45:46.0666667+00:00 Can you give us a history of the licence you have.
Where did it originate, was it originally Windows 7 or 8 and part of the free upgrade.
Did you buy a Windows 10 licence separate from the hardware.
Was the licence provided by the system builder.
To check the current licence open Command prompt (Admin) and enter slmgr /dlv [press return] then post a screenshot of the result.
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Jacob H 5 Reputation points
2025-11-20T20:01:28.55+00:00 It was originally a windows 7 license, it was separate from my hardware purchase.
FWIW, I have been sifting through other posts on these forums to figure this out, and am in the midst of trying what is in this post:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4090891/activation-code-0xc004f213-help
Hopefully, that has not put me 2 steps back on this ordeal.
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Neil D 29,975 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2025-11-20T20:06:45.86+00:00 -
Jacob H 5 Reputation points
2025-11-20T20:12:37.42+00:00 Duplicate
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Jacob H 5 Reputation points
2025-11-20T20:15:55.84+00:00 Politely, you did not say that ("As I said you cannot use a Windows 7 or 8 based licence now.") in your first post.
I upgraded from 7 to 10 when 10 came out, per Microsoft's process. I have had 0 issue since then.
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Neil D 29,975 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2025-11-20T20:37:19.31+00:00 Yes I did. I'll correct that statement as I hadn't already posted that in this thread and got mixed up with another I responded to. Microsoft have blocked Windows 7 and 8 licences from activating Windows 10 and 11 since 2023. It is often prompted by changes in hardware.
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Jacob H 5 Reputation points
2025-11-20T20:43:00.5333333+00:00 Microsoft should reactivate my PC.
How do I get them to do it?
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Jacob H 5 Reputation points
2025-11-24T16:35:40.66+00:00 Yes, I had tried the troubleshooter and about every help guide involving the troubleshooter. FWIW, the other link and/or re-logging in with my account seems to have gotten things in order. I am currently active - possibly tied to my user electronically, from what I've read.
Thanks.
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Neil D 29,975 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2025-11-20T22:16:09.5333333+00:00 The only way we have to contact Microsoft support directly is via the Get Help app in windows.
In the app type chat with an agent then select Contact Support. They are difficult to get hold of but some users seem to get this to work, others have problems.
Also there is https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus/ the same applies there.
Did you try the Activation troubleshooter method?