long story short: I had to replace the MB of my desktop PC. I took the chance, and I ordered an used MB (same exact old model so that I kept everything else intact) and a new disk (switching to SSD). So I install the new components, I download the ISO from Microsoft's portal, I run the Windows 10 installer from USB and once I'm done I enter the Windows 10 Product Key from my COA sticker. Activation goes successfully, no prob. But if I run "slmgr -dlv" I obtain that's a Volume License and the Partial Product Key shown has nothing to do with what I entered. As this is a generic Asus desktop motherboard, I don't expect to have any embedded OEM Product Key as you would in a classical new laptop. Am I wrong ? Or what am I missing ?
13 Answers
The used motherboard was in a different computer before and was apparently activated with a Windows license at that time. The Microsoft licensing database has that motherboard with the Windows license that was used.
You now have the motherboard and the licensing database remembers it the way it was.
If you want your own license (I am sure you do) , you will need to call Microsoft licensing support, explain, and get them to fix it.
3The Microsoft activation servers have probably identified the computer via its hardware fingerprint, and have associated it with a previous license that was associated with the reused parts (where the motherboard is the most important).
The simplest way to replace this key with yours is:
- Run Settings
- Click on Update & security
- Click on Activation
- Click Change product key
- Type your 25-digit product key
- Click Next to complete the process.
In the end I was suggested this resource which I think clarifies the doubt: the slmgr command now works "by design" with the behaviour I observed, and the Partial Product Key it shows in recent versions of Windows 10 can not be deemed a reliable information.
The output of the slmgr /dlv or slmgr /dli command isn't necessarily the last five (5) digits of the injected DPK. So you can no longer rely upon these commands to return the expected results.
