You can run the Windows Activation troubleshooter once you switch hardware to reactivate Windows 10 if it doesn’t automatically transfer. If your Windows 10 digital license doesn’t show up, you can use the slmgr /ato command in an elevated Command Prompt to refresh the activation status. This is so that someone can’t just walk up to your PC, switch it to their account, and steal your license. You’ll be asked to enter your current Windows password.

Microsoft will ask you to sign into the computer with your Microsoft account and explain that this will switch you over from a local account. If you aren’t, click “Add an account” under the “Add a Microsoft account” setting. If you’re already signed in with a Microsoft account, you won’t see an “Add an account” button, and your key should already be linked. Press “Windows + I” to open settings and click “Update & Security”. Microsoft is making it harder and harder to keep a local account, so it may be time to cave. The process to reactivate Windows 10 is a little shorter if you just switch from a local account to a Microsoft one. How to Link Your Windows 10 Digital License and Switch to a Microsoft Account Once you switch hardware, you can run the Windows Activation troubleshooter to reactivate Windows 10 if it doesn’t automatically transfer your license.

If necessary, refresh your Windows 10 digital license.

In “Settings > Update & Security > Activation”, the Activation filed should now read “Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account”. Microsoft will now open a wizard to prompt you to use the account everywhere on this PC.

Click “Next” on the Windows 10 account screen You can also find your product key through Command Prompt and then enter it to activate the computer in order to fix your Windows licence will expire soon.

You may also have to enter an SMS code for verification. Go to “Email & accounts” and “Add an Account”.

Press “Windows + I” to open settings and click the “Accounts” button. This makes it a little more difficult to link your Windows 10 digital license, but it’s still possible to do so without switching from a local to Microsoft account. If you’re not sure if your copy is supposed to be valid or not, I would recommend that you contact Microsoft’s Support Center. Now, when this message show up, it’s either your license is really expired or it’s a problem that needs to be fixed. For privacy reasons, many prefer their Windows 10 account to be a local one, rather than one that relies on Microsoft for authentication. Installing Windows 10 without a license will give you free access to Windows 10 for 30 days.

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