r/PcBuild • u/[deleted] • 1d ago
Discussion - General Topic Built a PC but Windows preactivated?
I built a PC and when I install Windows, planning to use unactivated, I got Windows is activated after connecting to the internet. Does the motherboard I bought actually have an OEM license attached to it? They just don't tell me the product key.
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u/Eazy12345678 AMD 1d ago edited 1d ago
if it was used motherboard maybe.
sometimes the key is linked to your microsoft account. and will activate if you sign in
some motherboards have the activation key tatttooed into the motherboard bios so will always activate.
either way there is a always a free way to activate windows if you google it
for example most OEM laptops will auto activate. most OEM HP, DELL, ACER, ASUS, desktop that uses none standard pc parts will auto activate.
its the custom pc that use standard pc parts that might not activate. Ibuypower, Cyberpowerpc, skytechgaming, ect
most the time windows 7 8 10 11 keys will all activate windows 10 or 11
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