Windows 10: Where is my Product Key if I want to re-install?

Just to clarify - if I had a bought a retail version of Win10, e.g. on usb, I would be allowed to remove and then transfer the license to a different computer, correct?

 

Yes.

 

If you remove ( uninstall ) it from computer A, you are free to use the key to install Win 10 to computer B.

Rule : one key , one install.

 

I notice your usage of the word "uninstall". Does this mean I MUST uninstall in order to remove the license? Or can I simply format my harddrive on computer A. And install Win10 on computer B.

I.e. does a format of a drive remove the license?

 

There is no explicit de-activation of Windows on the old machine.

You may have to activate the installation on the new PC by telephone.

I don't know whether there would be any consequences if you connected the old machine to the internet while continuing to use the original license on it. In the old (Windows XP) days, you could get away with it, but I doubt that Microsoft still allows that to stand.

 

Basically, it boils down to... if you registered as an Insider before the deadline - you have digital entitlement - thus installing any version of the same edition subsequently, is cool - using an Insider account or not.

Subsequent to the deadline an activated 10240 with a Win 7/8 genuine licence is required for digital entitlement.

 

Thanks, but it still doesn't answer my question:

Does a format of a drive remove the license?

 

No, because the license is stored on Microsoft activation servers. When you move Windows from one computer to another, the license for the old computer will still be stored on Microsoft activation servers even after you format the old computer's hard drive. When you enter the product key to activate the new computer, you might get a response that says the product key is in use on another computer. In that situation you will have to call Microsoft for activation and tell the computer voice that you have that copy of Windows installed on only 1 computer, then you will get the activation code in return.

Just like bobkn said...

 

Yes, it does, a format removes everything, the digital entitlement is retrieved from MS servers when you clean install again on the same hardware.