Windows 10: Transferring Win10 activation to new hardware.

My old PC can't upgrade to Win11 due to hardware limitations. I built a new PC and would like to transfer the activation to the new hardware. How is this possible?Thanks.

:)

 

Can't activate Win10 after build in new Hardware

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:

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

also see:

• Activate Your Windows 10 License via Microsoft Chat Support

 

Win10 on new hard drive, how to activate

• Installed Win10 to new hard drive, but Win7 code does not work.
• Tried online (slui.exe 4) activation:
  • entered numeric codes online - which failed,
  • talked to 1st line tech who entered Win7 code - did not work,
  • transferred me to 2nd line tech and no one came on the phone line after 2.5 hours.

Win7 was pre-installed on HP computer with no media provided and HP support has no process to supply replacement media or ISO (last HP purchase). Tried to install Win7 to new drive using Recovery Disks I created, but it could not find system image.

Not willing to return to old hard drive as the new one has SSD and is at least 3 (7?) times faster.

QUESTION 1: Is my only option now to buy either Win7 or Win10?

QUESTION 2: Without activation, when will Win10 no longer boot? If 12 months, I can retry online activation later.

 

Is the free upgarde transferable? I think not.

Hi Kari,
Can you confirm that the computer at step 5 (I numbered your list *Wink ) had never had an activated Insider build (especially not 10240)?

I'm wondering if it was possible that the second machine activated because the activation servers recognised the hardware from an earlier activation, and not because of the method you used to transfer?