Getting error 0xC004C060 after motherboard change.

Paul Duran 0 Reputation points
2026-11-10T05:13:07.5666667+00:00

I upgraded my motherboard now i cant activate windows and keep getting error 0xC004C060.

I recently upgraded from windows 10 to windows 11 and i only have my windows 10 key and whenever i try to change windows key it gives me the same error message.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation
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  1. DaveM121 947.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-11-10T06:06:45.5+00:00

    HI Paul,

    1

    Where did you get your Windows licence was that pre-installed on the PC or did you purchase a full retail Windows licence from Microsoft or from a 3rd party retailer?

    Or is your Windows licence based on a free upgrade from a previous Windows 7 or 8 licence?

    2

    Click your Start Button, type cmd then right click Command Prompt and choose 'Run as Administrator'

    Run or paste this command and hit Enter:

    slmgr.vbs /dlv

    Please post a screenshot of the resulting dialog

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  2. AI answer

    2026-11-10T05:13:22.2033333+00:00

    Error 0xC004C060 after a motherboard change usually means the current key cannot be used to activate Windows on this hardware.

    What to do:

    1. Check whether the license was OEM or retail
      • If the original Windows 10 license was OEM and tied to the old motherboard, it does not transfer to the new motherboard.
      • If Windows 11 was obtained through the free upgrade from that OEM Windows 10 license, the Windows 11 activation stays tied to the original motherboard as well.
    2. Try activation with the product key
      • In Windows 11: Start > Settings > System > Activation > Change product key.
      • Enter the 25-character product key.
      • If the same error appears, that confirms the key cannot activate this installation on the new hardware.
    3. If the motherboard was replaced by the original OEM manufacturer
      • The PC should reactivate automatically.
      • If it does not, check whether the OEM provided a COA card with a 25-character key and enter that key in Settings > System > Activation > Change product key.
    4. If the old license was linked to a digital license
      • After a significant hardware change, Windows may require reactivation through the Activation troubleshooter.
      • In Windows 11, Microsoft recommends starting with the automated Windows Activation troubleshooter in the Get Help app.
    5. If the original license was OEM and the motherboard was personally upgraded
      • A new Windows license is required to activate Windows on the new motherboard.

    Also verify that the installed edition matches the license. If the license is for a different edition than the installed Windows edition, activation will fail.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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