On the Anniversary Update for Windows 10, Microsoft introduced a lot of new changes and features for PC, including a way to make activation a little easier. Although activating Windows 10 was already a simple process, it wasn't easy to re-activate the operating system after a hardware change.
Starting with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, your product key is no longer only attached to your hardware — you can also link it to your Microsoft account. This new change allows you to re-activate Windows 10 without having to contact Microsoft when you make significant changes to the hardware on your PC, including replacing the motherboard, processor, or hard drive.
Associating a Windows 10 license to a Microsoft account is actually an automated process if you're signing into your PC with a Microsoft account. But if you're using a local user account, you'll need to link your product key with your Microsoft account manually.
In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to link your product key with a Microsoft account to simplify re-activation.
How to associate your Windows 10 license to a Microsoft account
To make sure that everything works, you need to make sure that Windows 10 is properly activated on your computer, you can easily do this with the following steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Update & security.
- Click on Activation.
The Activation page should read "Windows is activated with a digital license" (or product key).
Once you know that your copy of Windows 10 is properly activated, you need to add a Microsoft account that you want to remember your product key. However, it's important to remember that this process will change your account type from local to a Microsoft account.
- Open Settings.
- Click on Accounts.
- Click on You info.
Click the Sign in with your Microsoft account instead link.
- Complete your sign-in information.
Click Sign in.
- Type your current password.
Click Next.
Click the Set a PIN button, or the Skip this step link to complete the process.
After you completed the steps mentioned above, you could remove the Microsoft account, but reverting the process will also remove the device from your account, which will undo the association.
You can verify that your digital license is linked to your Microsoft account by using these simple steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Update & security.
Click on Activation.
The Activation page should now read "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account". Additionally, you can sign-in to your Microsoft account using your web browser and navigating to the Devices section. If you find your computer listed, it means that the license is linked.
What do you think about the new activation approach to associate your Windows 10 license with your Microsoft account? Tell us in the comments below.
More Windows 10 resources
For more help articles, coverage, and answers on Windows 10, you can visit the following resources:
- Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
- Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
- Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

Microsoft's Surface Duo is not 'failing up'
Microsoft announced this week that it was expanding Surface Duo availability to nine new commercial markets. While Surface Duo is undoubtedly a work in progress, this is not a sign of a disaster. It's also doesn't mean that Surface Duo is selling a ton either. Instead, the reason for the expansion is a lot more straightforward.

Here's what you can do if Windows 10 update KB5001330 is causing issues
In this guide, we'll show you the steps to get rid of the update KB5001330 to fix profile, gaming, and BSoD problems with the Windows 10 October 2020 Update and May 2020 Update.

Review: NZXT made its first AMD motherboard and it's brilliant
NZXT made its first motherboard with an AMD chipset. The N7 B550 supports the latest AMD Ryzen processors and there's plenty to love about this platform. To differentiate the N7 B550, NZXT made notable changes to the layout of the motherboard to make it easy to create a clean PC build.

These are the best PC sticks when you're on the move
Instant computer — just add a screen. That’s the general idea behind the ultra-portable PC, but it can be hard to know which one you want. Relax, we have you covered!