RECOMMENDED:When you are running, Windows 10 doesn’t let to personalize the operating system. In other words, you can’t change the desktop background, change the accent color, change lock screen image, and access. In fact, most of the settings in the personalization section of the Settings app are grayed out on an unactivated copy of Windows 10.The best way to access all personalization settings is to activate Windows 10 using a valid key or purchasing a new license. And if you’re having issues with activation, you can also contact the Microsoft support team using the built-in Get Help app.

Using the app, you can have a chat with the support team and request a call back as well.At times, when you’re unable to activate Windows 10 or when you are waiting for a solution from the Microsoft support to fix the Windows 10 activation issue, you might want to to a picture that you like. If you’re wondering how to change the desktop wallpaper on an unactivated copy of Windows 10, you will be glad to know that there is a way to change the desktop background. And the good is that we are not using any third-party software or unsupported way to change the desktop background.Follow the given below directions to change Windows 10 desktop wallpaper without activation.Method 1 of 2 Set picture saved on your PC as Windows 10 desktop backgroundStep 1: Visit the folder containing the picture that you want to set as the desktop background.Step 2: Right-click on the picture file that you want to set as the desktop background and then click Set as desktop background.The new picture should now appear as your desktop background.

On Windows 10, when you make a significant change, such as replacing the motherboard, hard drive, or processor, the system may fail to recognize the computer. As a result, the installation will become deactivated (with error 0xC004F211).

In older versions, if Windows lost its activation because of a hardware change, you needed to go through the tedious process of contacting Microsoft support to reactivate, which is not an ideal solution, and no many users were aware of the option.

However, the activation process has changed since the original release of Windows 10, and you can now link your device digital license to your Microsoft account, which you can then use to reactivate the installation using the Activation Troubleshooter in the same or clean installation of the OS.

Windows 10 blocks personalization options on non-activated versions. How do I install windows 10 home without the product key? Feb 10, 2020  If you're no able to activate, you may need to acquire a new license to install and activate Windows 10 on the device. If this is the case, we recommend getting the Windows 10 Pro, which unlocks.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to properly use the Activation Troubleshooter to reactivate your device.

How to prepare reactivation before hardware change on Windows 10

To ensure that you can reactivate Windows 10 after a hardware change, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Activation.

4. If under the 'Windows' section, the Activation reads: Windows is activated with a digital license, then under the 'Add a Microsoft account' section, click the Add an account option.

   Source: Windows Central

   Quick note: You must be using an administrator account to complete the process. If under the 'Windows' section, the Activation reads: Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account, then your device license is already linked to a Microsoft account, and you can skip these steps, and continue with the reactivation process below.

5. Confirm your Microsoft account credentials.

   Source: Windows Central

6. Click the Next button.
7. Confirm your account password.

8. Confirm your local account password.

   Source: Windows Central

9. Click the Next button.

Once you complete the steps, you should see the Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account message in the 'Activation' page, indicating that the link was successfully processed. You can now continue with the hardware change process, and then use the instructions below to reactivate Windows 10.

How to reactivate installation after hardware change on Windows 10

To reactivate Windows 10 after a hardware change, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Activation.

4. Under the 'Windows' section, click the Troubleshoot option.

   Source: Windows Central

5. Click the I changed hardware on this device recently option.

   Source: Windows Central

6. Confirm your Microsoft account credentials (if applicable).

7. Click the Sign-in button.

   Quick note: If you're reactivating an existing installation that already had the Microsoft account configured, then you won't be prompted to sign in.

8. Select the device that you're trying to reactivate.

   Source: Windows Central

   Quick tip: If the device isn't on the list, click the See other devices linked to your Microsoft account option, and select the device.

9. Check the This is the device I'm using right now option.
10. Click the Activate button.

After you complete the steps, Windows 10 will reactivate, and you start using the device and all the features available with the OS.

If you're no able to activate, you may need to acquire a new license to install and activate Windows 10 on the device. If this is the case, we recommend getting the Windows 10 Pro, which unlocks all the features available for the platform.

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Other details

In the case the device doesn't appear in the 'Reactivate Windows 10' list, there are a number of things that could be happening.

For instance, you may not be using the Microsoft account that is storing the digital license to activate the OS.

If you're using the correct Microsoft account, you'll need to find the reason. Here are some of the possible problems:

• Windows 10 was never properly activated on the device.
• The device isn't using a genuine version of Windows 10. If this is the case, you'll need to purchase a genuine copy of Windows 10.
• You're not running the edition that the digital license activates.
• The device you're trying to activate doesn't match the type of device you've linked to your digital license.
• You can only reactivate so many times. If you reach that (unspecified) limit, you won't be able to activate Windows 10.
• The computer is an organization managed device, in which case the reactivation tool is not available. (To resolve this issue, contact your system administrator.)

If, after using the Activation Troubleshooter, you can't activate Windows 10, then the next step is to contact Microsoft customers support for assistance.

Since the initial release of Windows 10, Microsoft has been making a lot of improvements, including to the activation process. However, there are still scenarios where you may run into activation problems, and this is when the troubleshooter can make things easier to help users upgrade their computer's hardware without hassle.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

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Benchmarking the new Surface Book 3 15 with GTX 1660 Ti and 10th Gen i7

Although it's too early for a review, here are some initial benchmarks from the new Surface Book 3 15-inch with a Core i7 and NVIDIA GeForce 1660 Ti (Max-Q) and how it compares to Surface Book 2 and other premium laptops. Spoiler: While the CPU is just OK, that 1660 Ti definitely bumps up the Book 3's potential.