Windows 10: Transferring Windows License to New PC Build - Activation Errors

Discus and support Transferring Windows License to New PC Build - Activation Errors in Windows 10 Gaming to solve the problem; Hi, I have a purchased not OEM version of Windows 10 Pro on my old PC. I've built a new PC and want to transfer the license over. However, in doing so,... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Gaming' started by Cppowers, May 30, 2025 at 8:57 AM.

  1. Cppowers Win User

    Transferring Windows License to New PC Build - Activation Errors


    Hi, I have a purchased not OEM version of Windows 10 Pro on my old PC. I've built a new PC and want to transfer the license over. However, in doing so, I've run into a number of issues. First -- I used a freeware key finder to find my product key and product id on my old PC -- that worked well. Second -- I went to my new PC and attempted to active Windows with this key. I received the error 0x803fa067 telling me that Windows cannot be activated on this device "because you don't have a valid digital license or product key."....Of course, I do have a valid license and product key as I purcha

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  2. Transferring Windows 10 to New PC Activation

    It depends on how Windows 10 was originally configured on your computer.

    If its a full retail store bought license online or offline, it is transferable to a new computer or motherboard.

    If its the free upgrade from a retail store bought Windows 7 or Windows 8 license, it is transferable to a new computer or motherboard.

    If its the free upgrade from a OEM preinstalled Windows 7 or Windows 8 license, it is NOT transferable to a new computer or motherboard.

    Learn more about transferring your license:


    If its a retail license, learn how to reactivate:

     
    Andre Da Costa, May 30, 2025 at 9:01 AM
    #2
  3. Cannot transfer Windows license to new PC

    Yes, thank you, these are the relevant steps. I only want to point out one thing, since the instructions are a bit misleading.

    Once you get to step 5 and see a list of devices linked to your Microsoft account, you need to select your old device from the list. So open the Activation page from the new device and select the old device in the list and mark it as This is the device I’m using right now.

    My initial understanding was that you need to find your new device in the list and mark it as the currently active one. What you're actually doing is selecting the device from which to take the Windows license.

    I have now successfully transferred my Windows license to my new device.

    Thank you
     
    Teodora Aleksic, May 30, 2025 at 9:01 AM
    #3
  4. PKJ
    pkj Win User

    Transferring Windows License to New PC Build - Activation Errors

    Transfer a Windows 10 license to a new PC

    I have purchased a new PC and I would like to transfer Windows license from my old PC to the new one. I am using Windows 10 (which was upgraded from Win 8.1) on my older computer and is activated with a licence linked to my Microsoft account. On my new PC, I have installed fresh copy of Win 10 using Media Creation Tool. To activate Windows on the new PC, I attempted the following, but have not deactivated Windows on the old PC (deactivation procedure described here)-

    Settings > Update & Security > Activation> Troubleshoot> I changed hardware on this device recently> Logged into my connected Microsoft account > This is the device I’m using right now > Activate.

    After performing the above, I am unable to activate Windows on my new PC. Please help me with the following-

    1. Do I need to deactivate windows on older PC first?
    2. Does Microsoft entitle users to transfer licenses to new PC?
    3. Is there anything else which I have missed out?

    If this helps- slmgr -dli gives the following


    Transferring Windows License to New PC Build - Activation Errors [​IMG]
     
Thema:

Transferring Windows License to New PC Build - Activation Errors

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