Windows 10: Resources about transferring Windows 10 License to another computer

Greetings everyone. At this time of the year, a lot of people upgrade PC Parts/buy new computers. If you recently purchased a new computer and looking for transferring it to the new hardware, the following information would help:


Scenario 1:


You swapped SSD/other parts except for the motherboard: Minor changes like SSD swap do not make activation void. As soon as you do a clean install, it would automatically activate, provided you install the same version as was before. If you are prompted for a key, skip entering the same as digital license would activate your device. This is valid even if you do not have a Microsoft Account on the PC.


Scenario 2:

You bought a new computer/changed the motherboard: Windows considers a new motherboard as a new computer. In that case, the following applies:


If Windows 7/8/10 came preinstalled with the computer, that is called an OEM license. For an OEM license, the license dies as soon as Motherboard dies. So essentially it is non-transferable. If that is the case you need to get a new license from Microsoft Store*.


However, this is not the same for retail licenses i.e. you purchased the license through the Microsoft store. That does carry transfer rights. If that is the case, please see the below steps. This requires your older device to be signed in with the Microsoft Account.

• Run the activation troubleshooter on the new device using the below steps:
• Go to Settings>Update and security>Activation and run the troubleshooter. and select I recently changed hardware on this device.
• Select the older PC and select "This is the device I am using right now".

If the troubleshooter says, sorry, we can't activate your device, see if you have the product key. If so, try entering that on the activation page.


If it still doesn't help, you would need to contact Microsoft Support. Independent Advisors and Moderators do not work for Microsoft so they do not have any account information.

Please use the contact us link here:


https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus

Type "talk to an agent" in the Virtual agent and choose Windows/ subcategory.


You would be presented with a link of options that are available for your country - call me back, Chat or call. Due to the Holiday season and Pandemic, options may be limited.


Additionally, country-wise phone numbers are given here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/help/4051701/global-customer-service-phone-numbers




Additional resources:

• Activate Windows 10 microsoft.com
• Get help with Windows activation errors microsoft.com
• Using the Activation troubleshooter microsoft.com
• Find your Windows product key microsoft.com
• Why can't I activate Windows? microsoft.com

*In certain scenarios, an OEM license can also be transferred courtesy of an exception path. To access the exception path, run the activation troubleshooter.

:)

 

Windows 10 license transfer

If its a retail license, yes, you can transfer it. Learn more about transferring the license:

• How to Transfer your Windows 10 License to a New Computer

 

Transferring Windows 10 to another computer Digital License

Hi Nikola,

Transferring a digital license to a new computer will depend on the type of Windows 10 license you have installed on your computer.

To address you're issue, we suggest that you follow the steps shared by
Andre Da Costa on this thread about transferring Windows
10 to another computer.

Keep us posted if you need additional help.

 

Windows 10 license transfer

Thanks Andre.

i bought the license. My laptop was originally loaded with win 7 and was upgraded free couple of months.

in this case, if i understand you correctly, i can transfer with below steps. Right.?

let me buy my new laptop and try below.

and to my question do you have an update.

does OS upgrades if my activation key is changed.

thanks

sai