Is my Windows 10 Pro install linked to my Microsoft Account, or is it a Local Account?

[Flogger23m]

Took a screen shot to show what I am referring to. In Settings/Update & Security/Activation says "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft Account".

Control Panel says Local Account.

Which is it?

I am trying to upgrade my motherboard. I do have a Microsoft account that I have had for years; in web browsers when I sign into my Microsoft Account I see my desktop listed under Devices. I want to swap my motherboard and allow Windows 10 Pro to reactivate on the new hardware. From my understanding this will require my Windows 10 Pro license to be linked to my Microsoft account.

What exactly needs to be done to ensure it properly reactivates once I switch hardware?

 

[95Viper]

Your Windows 10 is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft Account.

And, you are using a local account, instead of an email account, to login to windows as an Administrator.

 

[Jacky_BEL]

Your windows licence is linked with your Microsoft account,
but that does not automatically mean you are at present using windows with your Microsoft account.
You could have logged off from your Microsoft account and now be using a local account.

See the Account page in your settings and it will show your info.

When changing hardware you can use your license again only if it is a retail license.
You can check this with running slmgr /dli in a command window.

I have no experience with transfering a license to a new motherboard myself.
I guess you would need to somehow unattach the licence from your current hardware to be able to use it on your new hardware.
You can see all your current licensed devices in your Microsoft account , maybe you can find more info there on how to transfer it to a new device.

Reactivating Windows after a hardware change

 

[Flogger23m]

Your windows licence is linked with your Microsoft account,
but that does not automatically mean you are at present using windows with your Microsoft account.
You could have logged off from your Microsoft account and now be using a local account.

See the Account page in your settings and it will show your info.

Under Settings / Accounts / Your Info it shows:
My PC name,
Email address (that is also used for my Microsoft Account)
Administrator

Part in bold is what I want to correct, to ensure I am using Windows with my Microsoft Account.

I have no experience with transfering a license to a new motherboard myself.
I guess you would need to somehow unattach the licence from your current hardware to be able to use it on your new hardware.
You can see all your current licensed devices in your Microsoft account , maybe you can find more info there on how to transfer it to a new device.

I know I've transferred this one in the past to my current motherboard. I believe the way it works currently is they will allow it to transfer to a new motherboard, but only if it is linked with your Microsoft account.

Though I recall when I was trouble shooting something I disabled the password prompt so I could boot into Windows and check settings quickly without having to enter my password, so not sure if that changed something in regards to it being linked to my Microsoft Account.

Your Windows 10 is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft Account.

And, you are using a local account, instead of an email account, to login to windows as an Administrator.

Thanks. Would I need to change that to allow Windows 10 to reactivate after changing motherboards?

 

[Jacky_BEL]

I am on a local account , and it is not showing an email address.
You must be using Windows with your Microsoft account then.
If not, there should be a message to log in with your Microsoft account instead.

See the link I provided for Reactivating Windows after a hardware change .