Changed motherboard, need original windows 7 key to get my replacement windows 10 Key

[xander8819]

Hi there, I don't know if I'll have any luck with this issue, as my computer is a few years old. A few months ago I asked a friend to help me update my old computer, which he has done, but it seemed to cause issues with my OS. I believe my machine originally came with Windows 7 on it, and I had updated it to Windows 10 a little while before all this. So long story short, my friend upgraded my PC successfully, but when he was done my version of Windows 10 now shows the "Activate Windows" text on the bottom right.  I was told that it was because my internal hardware had all been changed, but when I contacted Microsoft about getting a new key, they needed my original Windows 7 key in order for them to give me a free Windows 10 replacement key.

I doubt I'll be able to obtain any help in getting a new key for this machine, as it seems like all the official support I've tried to obtain all lead to dead ends. I would appreciate some help on the matter if it means I can save my money and not end up having to buy a  new key for Windows 10.

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

The computer (a desktop, right) came with Windows 7 Home Premium. There was a Key Code sticker on the case. What happened to it? 

[xander8819]

Silly as this sounds, I'm not by any means good with computers so when I let my friend deal with it, I believed him when he told me he wasn't able to find a solution to work around this and had just left my Windows 10 in it's unactivated state. Seems like he had simply overlooked it, as it was on the back corner of the side of the tower itself. After finding it, I spoke to a Windows technician and they were able to fix up my Windows 10 key in a few minutes.  Sorry if this all sounded silly but as I said I normally am not the one to tackle this, but I'm happy I don't have to buy a new key now.

[Huffer]

Happy to have helped.