Activate Windows 10 watermark

[Beyond.Celsus]

So I've basically had to replace my pc (HDD still fine) but now I am stuck with the Activate Windows watermark in the lower right as I had to change mainboard.
Tried changing key option and entered my key that's been fine for 3 years.
No success
Tried troubleshooting, but it just bangs on about a Microsoft account I do not have.
No success
Tried online help chat - never get past the bot
No success

Short of buying Windows 10 again, how can I get rid of that watermark?

 

[Moosedrool]

If it was a OEM license the actual policy from microsoft is: It lives and dies with the board.

If it's the full retail package just phone them.

 

[rustypup]

Tried from elevated console session?

slmgr /ipk licensekey

If no joy, OEM is biting you

 

[Nod]

How to Remove Activate Windows Watermark Permanently [Full Guide]

Are you looking to remove the Activate Windows 10 Watermark that is showing on your desktop Like in the picture below? Below I have 7 different ways that you can ... Read MoreHow to Remove Activate Windows Watermark

computergarage.org

 

[|tera|]

Tried from elevated console session?

slmgr /ipk licensekey

If no joy, OEM is biting you

An activate command could be used with the above steps too.

 

[WAslayer]

Start a chat with MS support.. they sorted me out with my license and motherboard change I did..

 

[Dairyfarmer]

I have reactivated OEM licences before by phoning MS. I've always told them that I was just reinstalling Windows. Haven't had to do it for years though so don't know if they still have the policy of "don't ask, don't tell"

 

[Hemps]

Releases · massgravel/Microsoft-Activation-Scripts

Open-source Windows and Office activator featuring HWID, Ohook, TSforge, and Online KMS activation methods, along with advanced troubleshooting. - massgravel/Microsoft-Activation-Scripts

github.com

 

[ArmatageShanks]

Just use KMS

 

[Beyond.Celsus]

Bought a new license key.
Was the fastest and simplest solution.

 

[Totempole]

Had this situation with a friend's PC a few years back. Had a Windows 10 Home License from a free upgrade from Windows 7. Board failed under warranty and was replaced with an identical board. Upon installation, the machine was unlicensed again. Reinstalling Windows 7 and performing an upgrade, even after the upgrade period had expired seemed to work.

We used a separate hard drive to do that so that the original Windows 10 install was unaffected.

 

[absynth]

What I did was when I upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10. I signed up to a Microsoft account and attached my license to it. Have done a few full system upgrades already and everytime just need to sign in the system with microsoft account, troubleshoot and select changed hardware and activates every time.Then sign out of the microsoft account again and change to windows local account.

 

[Smiley_lauf]

What I did was when I upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10. I signed up to a Microsoft account and attached my license to it. Have done a few full system upgrades already and everytime just need to sign in the system with microsoft account, troubleshoot and select changed hardware and activates every time.Then sign out of the microsoft account again and change to windows local account.

Yes this is what I have done in the past 9Windows 7 to 10 transition). But these days, Windows 10 is like freeware--for some reason, the hardware that previously had W10, and if you want to reinstall W10 on it--it recognizes the hardware and autoactivates. This i must be an OEM solution others are talking about.

 

[LCBXX]

Bought a new license key.
Was the fastest and simplest solution.

And not as expensive as effort is to try and workaround the issue.

Create and log into a MS account to sync it to your profile.

 

[Fulcrum29]

The best method to keep your Windows 10 key active is to tie it to your email address. I have 3 non-OEM 'systems' here with expired Win 10 keys due to swap outs and MS have pretty much told me to deal with it and I did.