Windows Activation after upgrade

Its been a while since I did this, but I upgraded my motherboard and now I have a windows isn't activated message. I've upgraded the motherboard and cpu before without this happening. The code was from a retail version of windows 7 originally, so are microsoft getting stricter or is there something about the hardware that throws it off?
In the past whe this happens it has been possible to activate with the same key, but that doesn't seem to be working, and another spare key hasn't worked either.

So I suppose the question is, have microsoft got really strict with this and am I going to have to buy a new key?

 

Log in to your Microsoft account and you can manage your keys

 

hate to break it to you but the free upgrade to win11 is gone, they wont do anything.
I tried when i built a new machine, but they just flat out refused.
Had to buy a key via woucher of all places.

 

There’s legal keys all over the cd key sites, cheap as chips, I usually pay £2-£3. Or as you previously used your key to activate 11 inside the free upgrade period I’d say you’re entitled to change your motherboard and you could just use 11notes/kms in a docker (needs to remain up for periodic reactivation) to activate locally.

 

I should have been clearer! I am on windows 10, having upgraded from 7. Even with my new board I am being told I can't go to windows 11 without enabling secure boot, so wasn't in a hurry to do that! I might just buy a new key and see if that does the trick.

 

Grey market keys are literally pennies