Windows 10: Old computer, completely wiped, had retail Win 10 license on it, need to change it to a...

This is a complicated one. Please bear with me.My husband and I build our own computers. We always buy retail licenses of Windows.He recently purchased a new computer. He moved his old windows account/license to the new computer using the "new hardware" option in the troubleshooter. We then REMOVED the old computer from his account.Our older son's computer died a few months ago -- it was a hand-me-down device, over 10 years old, on its last legs, the motherboard itself died SATA controller issues, RAM issues that weren't the sticks themselves, etc. So that computer is dead, dead, and very

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Replacing Windows 10 retail license with OEM to reuse the retail license on new build

Thanks, Greg

I think I must not have been clear. I want to build the new PC soon, AND keep the old computer running Win 10 until Win 10 hits EOL so I need a license on it even after I move the retail license to a new PC.

 

Windows 10 upgrade license

The interesting question is that: the upgrade takes place before 29 of July. If I upgrade the PC (change the MB), and I transfer the Win 8.1 license to this new PC (cause 8.1 is retail FPP), will I be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free? Or a upgrade license must be bought?

 

"Saving" Retail Pro licenses for use in future systems

Not sure. From the age of these systems, they were Win 7 upgrades. I'll have to check my records. Or, can I retrieve the product keys? - - - Updated - - -

In technical terms, what are the steps?

• Do I need to deactivate the licenses first on the old systems?
• Where are the licenses stored? Or, how do I retrieve them?
• Do I just apply the retrieved keys to the OEM licenses? At that point, do the systems become Retail licensed?

Understood.

Good deal. Did that auto salvage yard system boot up? Or did you somehow extract the license after retrieving the hard drive from the salvage yard system? - - - Updated - - - So I look at this problem as an opportunity to extend my technical knowledge. As I pointed out in another thread, I'm not an IT professional, but I still seek to increase my technical knowledge. I'm often the go to person for my family and friends on Windows/systems issues. Right now I'm about to install an SSD into the laptop of a friend who runs Linux on his laptop (for his work) and is extremely reluctant to open up any of his hardware. He will plug in cables, but that's it.