Windows 10 Asking For Activation?

[Minky7]

Hello! So a while ago I built a Media PC and installed windows 8.1 then upgraded to 10, it worked fine until I switched out the CPU and Motherboard, it still boots fine, as I went from an E7400 to E8400 (Using Old Parts). Anyways. it booted fine but now I have an Activate Windows Notification, I tried re-entering the key but it said it wasn't valid, any ideas? P.S. I got the key from my uncle who got it from his work as a programmer at PG&E (or some big power company).

 

[USAFRet]

installed windows 8.1 then upgraded to 10, it worked fine until I switched out the CPU and Motherboard

Yes, this is a normal consequence.

As of the Anniversary 1607 release, you can link the OS license to a Microsoft account.
Before that, and if you did not, the license is tied to the system hardware. Primarily the motherboard.
Change that, and it will want activation again.

Read this:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

But now, your only recourse is to call MS.
Either try to activate via the phone robot, or call and talk to a human.

 

[Minky7]

installed windows 8.1 then upgraded to 10, it worked fine until I switched out the CPU and Motherboard

Yes, this is a normal consequence.

As of the Anniversary 1607 release, you can link the OS license to a Microsoft account.
Before that, and if you did not, the license is tied to the system hardware. Primarily the motherboard.
Change that, and it will want activation again.

Read this:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

But now, your only recourse is to call MS.
Either try to activate via the phone robot, or call and talk to a human.

Thanks for the reply! I'll try the phone robot. I probably should've mentioned that I never updated to the Anniversary Update.