Windows 10: Is Microsoft OS license transferable when we buy or sell a pre-loved or used device

Discus and support Is Microsoft OS license transferable when we buy or sell a pre-loved or used device in Windows 10 Gaming to solve the problem; Dear Sir/MadamWhat setup can I do to transfer the license of Microsoft OS such as Windows 10/11 to the new buyer who will be taking over my used laptop... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Gaming' started by AlanNg5, Aug 11, 2022.

  1. AlanNg5 Win User

    Is Microsoft OS license transferable when we buy or sell a pre-loved or used device


    Dear Sir/MadamWhat setup can I do to transfer the license of Microsoft OS such as Windows 10/11 to the new buyer who will be taking over my used laptop or desktop? What can the new owner do with the Windows account? Thank you

    :)
     
    AlanNg5, Aug 11, 2022
    #1

  2. Transfer Win 10 License

    Here is what the Microsoft Software License Terms say about upgrades to software that was pre-installed on a device:

    Software preinstalled on device.

    If you acquired the software preinstalled on a device (and also if you upgraded from software preinstalled on a device), you may transfer the license to use the software directly to another user, only with the licensed device.
    The transfer must include the software and, if provided with the device, an authentic Windows label including the product key. Before any permitted transfer, the other party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software.

    Note the part I put in italics, "and also if you upgraded from software preinstalled on a device".
    That makes it sound like buying a Retail upgrade does not make the OS transferable.

    Stand-alone software was not pre-installed. An upgrade of a retail standalone OS would be transferable without transferring the device with it.
     
    Don Cuthbert, Aug 11, 2022
    #2
  3. LPChip Win User
    I want to sell my laptop but retain my windows 10 license

    Microsoft does not allow a license to be transferred from one pc to another. It goes this far, that if you modify your current pc configuration enough, windows will no longer see your license to match your pc and deactivate the license.

    Microsoft can help to activate this in case it happens, but Microsoft states that a license is bound to a computer, and if the computer changes enough, it becomes a new device, and as such, a new license is required.

    This already means that it is against Microsoft Policy to transfer your license to another computer, whether it is possible or not.

    That said, Windows 10 licenses have different ways to be installed into a system. A key can be inserted into the UEFI bios which is automatically found and used during install, or a key can be stored on the Microsoft servers (this is mostly the case when you have a pre-Windows 10 pc and upgrade it to windows 10.) or thirdly, you buy a license and get an actual code/the license is automatically activated.

    It depends on the kind of license that you have in order to find out how transferable it is. A new laptop which comes with Windows preinstalled will have the key inserted into the UEFI bios. Although you may be able to find out what your license key is, it will be impossible to remove it from the UEFI bios, and suddenly 2 persons have access to the same key. It won't take long before Microsoft flags the key as invalid.

    If the install was upgraded, the same as above applies. The laptop's hardware is tied to the license key through the Windows Servers and again, 2 persons can install windows using the same key, getting into problems.

    If you have a microsoft account that holds your product key (this happens if you buy the key through the windows store), or you have another physical way to the key, you can actually make sure the new owner does not get the license and as such can't activate windows. You now have a key only you can use, but it may still be that the hardware is too different for this computer for microsoft to accept that your license is used in the same computer, and as such, they may still not allow you to activate the license and as such, you are required to buy a new license.

    That said, there is a simple and legal solution.

    Sell your laptop, also include the windows license, and just increase the price you ask for the laptop and state: comes with a valid Windows 10 license. Then buy a new license.
     
    LPChip, Aug 11, 2022
    #3
  4. Rataan Win User

    Is Microsoft OS license transferable when we buy or sell a pre-loved or used device

    Selling PC with Windows license

    I'm sure this has been asked before, but I want to sell a PC to my brother and I want the Windows license to go with it. I have all the parts for a replacement PC that I will build in a few days and for that I will buy a new Windows license. I guess the
    questions I have are:

    1. How do I transfer a Windows license to another person, or is that possible with current licensing rules? The hardware that the license runs on would be the same, just a different person. I don't know if he has a Microsoft account, but we can set one up
      if necessary. This license was originally bought as Windows 7 and then converted to a Windows 10 license. I don't remember if it was an OEM or retail copy or if that is important.
    2. Since I'm building another PC which will need a Windows license, would it just be easier to transfer the license I currently own to the new PC and buy a new license for my brother? In that case, the license would stay with the same person (me) and the same
      Microsoft account, but will run on all new hardware.
     
    Rataan, Aug 11, 2022
    #4
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Is Microsoft OS license transferable when we buy or sell a pre-loved or used device

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