Updating your motherboard’s BIOS is a common practice to improve system stability or support new hardware. However, a BIOS flash frequently changes how software reads your motherboard ID. To Denuvo, a simple BIOS update can look like a completely different computer. 3. Cloud Gaming and Virtual Machines
On Linux/Steam Deck, switching between different can often be flagged as a new machine activation.
Denuvo 5 (the Denuvo Anti-Tamper platform version often referenced around 2020–2022) enforces a limit on the number of distinct machines on which a particular game build can be activated using its activation mechanism. This report summarizes how the machine activation limit works, likely effects on users and publishers, known behaviors and circumventions, legal/ethical considerations, and recommendations.
If you are building a new PC or testing components, avoid launching your Denuvo games until your system configuration is stable.