Windows 10: Retail Windows 8.1 Pro - New Computer License

Alright, this seems fairly a simple question but there seem to be quite a few variants in the answers I see on the web.


First, let me clear things up.


I bought Windows 8.1 pro in 2015 I think, I bought that Windows from the Windows Stores directly, it is not OEM, it's a direct purchase of both the license and the DVD which I received by mail at that time and I still have the DVDs and the license key for Win8.1 pro.


I eventually upgraded that Win8.1 to Win10 during the free phase of passage from 7/8 to Win10.


My current Win10 is Win10 pro with a digital license.


I am soon replacing the entire computer for a new one, everything totally new, the old computer is 10 years of age.


I am wondering, do I need to buy a new license or does my license carries to a new computer?


Thank you for any clarification!

:)

 

Can Windows 10 Pro be moved to a new computer using digital license?

• If you upgraded from a retail copy of Windows 7, Windows 8 or 8.1, the Windows 10 license carries the retail rights from which it was derived –
  can be transferred. But under Microsoft’s rules, you are only entitled to a one time transfer.
• If you upgraded from an OEM Windows 7, Windows 8 or 8.1 license, these are licenses that come preinstalled on a new computer from a manufacturer, and then your Windows 10 license maintains the OEM rights –
  cannot be transferred.
• If you have a full retail copy of Windows 10, you can transfer it as many times as you want.
• If you performed an
  Easy Upgrade to the Windows 10 Pro Pack from Windows 10 Home, you can transfer it using Digital Licensing. This is possible because of the Pro Pack, while an upgrade, is a retail license attached to the Microsoft Account used to purchase it.

 

Windows 8 Pro Retail => Windows 10 Pro (Free upgrade) Fails Activation after hardware change

Hi,

I bought 2 retail licenses (one for my desktop and one for my laptop) for Windows 8 several years ago and upgraded to Windows 10 (via the free upgrade). Recently I had to change some hardware (motherboard) and I get the following error code when trying to
activate Windows: 0xC004C003.

I have tried the following, all of which have failed.

1. Troubeshoot -> I recently changed hardware on this device (I can only see my Laptop License and not my desktop)
2. Provided the Installation ID (via phone helpdesk) on two occasions.

First help desk technician suggested I buy a new Windows License and the second suggested I reinstall and use Windows 8. Both suggestions from help desk are ridiculous.

How do I proceed without having to:

1. Pay for a license I should technically already have
2. Downgrade back to Windows 8 (loose time / data)

 

How to transfer windows 10 license to a new computer?

If its the free upgrade originated from an OEM Windows 7 or Windows 8 preinstalled license, it is still not transferrable, even though it says its retail in the command line using slmgr.vbs /dlv command.

Only licenses upgraded from a retail Windows 8 or Windows 7 or full Windows 10 license.

Learn more:

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