Hardware change

Question

Hardware change

Blehz _ 0

I recently had to change my motherboard because my previous one failed, im getting a windows error saying the code is invalid but it was valid and i had to install the windows through a usb on the prebuilt when i bought it. Now its saying its invalid and i dont want to spend another 100 euros on windows just because of something i couldnt control, how do i go about this?

EmilyS726 264.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-19T18:41:38.88+00:00

Hello,

How did you obtain your license initially?

Did it come with the device preinstalled, or did you purchase it?

If you purchased it, did you purchase from Microsoft, or from third party?

Is it originally a Win7/8 key?

Just to make sure, you are reinstall Win10, right?

1 answer

Your answer

EmilyS726 264.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-19T18:41:38.88+00:00

Hello,

How did you obtain your license initially?

Did it come with the device preinstalled, or did you purchase it?

If you purchased it, did you purchase from Microsoft, or from third party?

Is it originally a Win7/8 key?

Just to make sure, you are reinstall Win10, right?

Answer 1

Blehz _ 0

I had a prebuilt and it had the installer on a usb drive, it was a windows 11 pro key and i had to change motherboards because it failed.

EmilyS726 264.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-19T19:54:25.1833333+00:00

If it was a prebuilt device, that would mean the license came with the device, you didn't purchase the license separately, right?

In this case, it would have been an OEM license. OEM license is tied to the motherboard, so if motherboard changes, license is gone. Only retail license can be transfered.