If you make significant hardware changes on your device, such as replacing your motherboard, Windows will no longer find a license that matches your device, and you’ll need to reactivate Windows to get it up and running.

If you reinstall Windows 11 after you make a significant hardware change to your PC (such as replacing the motherboard), it may no longer be activated. You can use the Activation troubleshooter to reactivate Windows.

If the motherboard is replaced, you may see a different internal (system) serial number for your device. The internal (system) serial number is found in Settings/About and in the Surface App in Device Information.

Familiarize yourself with the steps, replacement components (Microsoft Online Store and iFixit), and tools (iFixit) required to complete the repair. It's important to review the materials for your model before you purchase replacement components, and before beginning the repair. Perform troubleshooting.

Get step-by-step instructions on how to use replacement components to repair out-of-warranty Xbox Wireless Controllers yourself.

Windows provides a variety of configuration tools tailored to meet the needs of different users. These built-in tools facilitate your device's customization and monitoring, allowing you to change Windows' configuration to suit your preferences and requirements with precision.

If you are considering upgrading to Windows 11, check to ensure TPM 2.0 is enabled on your device. Most retail PC motherboards used by people building their own PC, for example, ship with TPM turned off by default even though it is almost always available to be enabled. Option 1: Use the Windows Security app.

Getting your Xbox device serviced. If you’ve registered your device, sign in to your Microsoft account and select Devices. Then choose the specific device to see the device details, including the device’s warranty status. If your device is within warranty, repairs are free.

For Windows 8.1, see Create a USB recovery drive. To download Windows 11 installation media, see Recovery options in Windows. Create a recovery drive so you can reinstall Windows 10 or Windows 11 in case you experience a major issue such as hardware failure.

After you upgrade to Windows 10, you can reinstall or do a clean installation on the same device. You won't need a product key to reactivate Windows 10 on the same hardware. For more info on how to create your own Windows 10 installation media, see the Microsoft software download website.