Windows 10: Transfer Windows 10 Digital Activation Key

Hello,

I have recently downloaded and activated Windows 10 Version 1809 with a digital activation key.

I have since found that the industrial software that I am trying to install has a requirement of Windows 10 Version 1703.

If I try to install the software on Version 1809, the installation fails. According to the Software's tech support, it must be installed on Version 1703.

I have downloaded Windows 10 Version 1703 and installed the software. I now have two(2) computers, one is windows 10 Version 1809 which is activated and the other is Windows 10 Version 1703. My question is can I transfer the digital activation key to the computer with the lower version number i.e. from version 1809 to version 1703. My concern is the Microsoft will not recognize the new computer as just a "Hardware change".


Your help and possible Solutions.

Thank you

Woolie

:)

 

Installing Windows 10 using Windows 7 key

Nope, you need to install Windows 10 first and make sure the Windows 7 key is transferred to your Windows account after you've installed Windows 10 (not quite sure how that works). I missed the last step and I could not activate Windows 10 after a re-install... Microsoft seem to have done everything they can to make it a PITA. Also, it's technically too late to do this now anyhow, as the upgrade offer has expired. But KMSPico works quite well...

As for getting rid of Windows, delete the Windows folder.

 

Digital activation key

Hi Tony

You do not need a product key to re-install Windows 10, as long as you re-install the exact same Edition of Windows 10, your licence will be unaffected and Windows 10 should self-activate without any user interaction . . .

If you have already re-installed Windows 10 and you have an activation error, please check you have installed the same edition - go to Settings - System - About. Is the correct Edition of Windows 10 listed there that matches the previously installed Edition?

If you are about to re-install Windows 10:

Since you previously had Windows 10 installed and activated on that PC during the installation process skip the steps which ask for a product key and select the option 'I am Reinstalling Windows 10 on this PC', and activation will not be an issue, your PC will
have a digital entitlement stored on the Microsoft Activation Servers

 

Windows 10 Digital License Transfer

1) You cannot transfer digital licence without using MS account if original key is not retail. If original key is retail, you can just use it to activate new pc.

Your windows 7 key should still be valid if retail.

Your legal obligation is to wipe windows from old pc if you reinstall on new pc and transfer licence (either by reusing retail key or doing a digital licence transfer if linked to MS account).

The fact old pc might activate automatically if new owner installs windows is not your problem provided you did not indicate it will activate automatically.