Was the old drive from an OEM Prebuild like a Laptop or Desktop from DELL, ALIENWARE, HP, LENOVO, ASUS, MSI, GIGABYTE

OEM systems you can't transfer the key onto a 3rd party motherboard. It can be replaced with ssme or very similar motherboard. But OEM prebuolt key onto a 3rd party custom build, no.

Insider = Beta

Your OS edition is something like Home, Pro, Educational, Business

No... Just Windows insider...
Edition is home.

Originally posted by Aleddra:

I moved my disk drive to a new motherboard. Windows deactivated, this is normal.

I can't reactivate it. Something about my version of Windows not able to do that. I am using Windows Insider right now, should i just reinstall Windows or wait until tomorow for support?

Your windows key is only legally allowed to be used in the original machine it was first installed in. You are not allowed to "move" the system's storage drive to another physical motherboard/computer. That's why it won't re-activate: It's not licensed to be used in the computer you moved the drive to.

If you want to activate windows then you must purchase a new retail package of windows with a new key and then re-install windows (clean on an empty drive, back up your drive and format it during install then restore afterwards) then re-activate.

It is not OEM.

Originally posted by Aleddra:

It is not OEM.

You still can not move the drive between machines (if you want windows to stay activated that is). You will never be able to re-activate that windows install in any other computer other than the original machine it was first installed in.

Originally posted by Ontrix_Kitsune:

Originally posted by Aleddra:

It is not OEM.

You still can not move the drive between machines (if you want windows to stay activated that is). You will never be able to re-activate that windows install in any other computer other than the original machine it was first installed in.

That's non-sense. I changed Motherbaords on Win7, 10 Before no problems. Using OEM system builder keys. Just call Microsoft and provide the info to prove its your product key; they will confirm with Product ID and things like that. Then tell them your Motherboard died and you have to replace it.\

We've been doing this all over the world since WinXP; no problems.

But yes only do this if the old PC is no longer going to be using that OS key anymore. You can't have it active on more then one system at a time with both PCs connecting Online; otherwise the key will get flagged at some point.

You can move an OEM license once. Real licenses are unlimited.
I'm having technical problems doing it here.

https://imgur.com/a/cXv4cvG
This is the problem i have.

EDIT: This might be because my computer is not activated and the device is just not recognized. I did reinstall Windows. It is no longer Insider. (Data partition for the win).

Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:

That's non-sense. I changed Motherbaords on Win7, 10 Before no problems. Using OEM system builder keys. Just call Microsoft and provide the info to prove its your product key; they will confirm with Product ID and things like that. Then tell them your Motherboard died and you have to replace it.\

That's a direct violation of the microsoft EULA agreement. By doing that you're lying to microsoft and violating the user agreement. That may be fine for you and your computer but some other people on the internet must remain 100% completely legal if they use their computer for work. You should not assume everyone is going to use their computer as you do when providing support on the internet. What you did may not apply to all people in all situations.

Sir, you have no idea what you're talking about.

Originally posted by Ontrix_Kitsune:

Originally posted by Aleddra:

It is not OEM.

You still can not move the drive between machines (if you want windows to stay activated that is). You will never be able to re-activate that windows install in any other computer other than the original machine it was first installed in.

stop telling this lie.....i can do just this with a retail copy of windows.....i just moved a windows 7 key that activated 11 to a new system.....retail versions can be moved to as many PC's as you want as long as the number of computers matches the number of keys....like my single key being good for 3 PC's as it was a family upgrade pack....

OEM versions of windows are the only ones that cant be moved.....

New error codes:
https://imgur.com/a/bpnx3wM

Originally posted by smokerob79:

Originally posted by Ontrix_Kitsune:

You still can not move the drive between machines (if you want windows to stay activated that is). You will never be able to re-activate that windows install in any other computer other than the original machine it was first installed in.

stop telling this lie.....i can do just this with a retail copy of windows.....i just moved a windows 7 key that activated 11 to a new system.....retail versions can be moved to as many PC's as you want as long as the number of computers matches the number of keys....like my single key being good for 3 PC's as it was a family upgrade pack....

OEM versions of windows are the only ones that cant be moved.....

The official Microsoft End User License Agreement you agreed to when you installed Windows very clearly states that your cd key is only valid for the first machine it is originally activated on. It is NOT valid for any other computer. Moving the windows install (hard drive) to a different motherboard very much IS a direct violation of the EULA and is not legal to do so. Yes it will work and sometimes it will activate again. That does not change the fact that is still a violation of the EULA to do this. Windows CD Keys and License keys are only ever valid for the original machine they are activated onto, on the first install, NO OTHER COMPUTER.

According to the Microsoft EULA we are supposed to purchase a different cd key / license key for each system (each motherboard technically) that windows is installed on.

Now like I said above: If someone is just a home user that is playing games and does not do any work, or does not work for a company that does audits then yes they are free to move the windows install on a storage drive to as many computers as they wish and hope it activates (sometimes it doesn't).

However not everyone does that. I have some people I have built computers for that I offer ongoing technical support to who do outside contractor work (programming) for various US government offices and they have technicians come to their house and perform audits on their computer on a routine basis. In their situation they must remain compliant with Microsoft's EULA to-the-letter or they can be fired.

This is the internet. We people on the internet have no idea what situation someone on the other side may be in. They could be home gamers like you or me where we don't care about the EULA. Or they could be working in an official capacity and have to comply with the EULA. We just don't know.

When offering support to someone on the other side via the internet we should default to assume they want to do everything "correctly" and offer support accordingly. People should NOT suggest they do "dodgy things" (like moving the windows install on a storage drive between computers then try to re-activate again) that could violate the EULA and may or may not work.

Originally posted by smokerob79:

Originally posted by Ontrix_Kitsune:

You still can not move the drive between machines (if you want windows to stay activated that is). You will never be able to re-activate that windows install in any other computer other than the original machine it was first installed in.

stop telling this lie.....i can do just this with a retail copy of windows.....i just moved a windows 7 key that activated 11 to a new system.....retail versions can be moved to as many PC's as you want as long as the number of computers matches the number of keys....like my single key being good for 3 PC's as it was a family upgrade pack....

OEM versions of windows are the only ones that cant be moved.....

Retail Keys allow for this by default which is why a retail key costs so much.

OEM branded prebuilds are much more restricted. OEM System Builder key also restricted but not nearly as bad since the OEM system builder key is just between your Motherboard and Microsoft. Where as an OEM Prebuild or Laptop; the key is much more restricted due to the terms and limits through the OEM; such as DELL, HP, etc.

However with basically any OEM key as long as the old system wont be used (like say Motherboard dies or you replaced it via upgrade, thus not having 2 working systems using same key) then it's doable. But yes sometimes this will require a need and some steps to call Microsoft and explain the issue (like replaced Motherboard because of no other choice) so they can give you a code to reactivate your key and get that working again. Then you can save how that is linked by logging into Win10/11 with a Microsoft account and that product key digital information is stored in a hidden way into your account for your various machines. Thus should you clean wipe a drive & reinstall OS in future, logging back into same account will reactivate the OS without any further steps.

Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:

Retail Keys allow for this by default which is why a retail key costs so much.

OEM branded prebuilds are much more restricted. OEM System Builder key also restricted but not nearly as bad since the OEM system builder key is just between your Motherboard and Microsoft. Where as an OEM Prebuild or Laptop; the key is much more restricted due to the terms and limits through the OEM; such as DELL, HP, etc.

However with basically any OEM key as long as the old system wont be used (like say Motherboard dies or you replaced it via upgrade, thus not having 2 working systems using same key) then it's doable. But yes sometimes this will require a need and some steps to call Microsoft and explain the issue (like replaced Motherboard because of no other choice) so they can give you a code to reactivate your key and get that working again. Then you can save how that is linked by logging into Win10/11 with a Microsoft account and that product key digital information is stored in a hidden way into your account for your various machines. Thus should you clean wipe a drive & reinstall OS in future, logging back into same account will reactivate the OS without any further steps.

You are again attempting to spread misinformation in the steam forums on purpose. NO! Retail keys ARE NOT legally allowed to be "migrated" through multiple computers, per the Microsoft EULA. They are ONLY VALID FOR THE ORIGINAL COMPUTER IT WAS INSTALLED ON.

Lying to Microsoft on the phone and claiming you're using it on the original computer doesn't make it any more legal or right. You're still violating the EULA. End users aren't supposed to do that.

It is not necessary to own a license to use Windows 11, but it is recommended. What part is illegal? i didn't rean any of this...