Can I fit my old PC hard drive into my new PC just to activate Windows 10?

Rocky-Roader

Rocky-Roader

Rocky-Roader

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Years ago I purchased Windows 8.1 OEM for around £100 from ***elsewhere***, then when Windows 10 came along I was able to upgrade to it for free.

Now I've just built a new PC but need to be able to activate windows, I've tried copying the product key etc but no joy.

I've read that OEM versions can't be transferred? but also read that I could link my old PC to a Microsoft account and then it would work?

I was wondering if I just take the hard drive out of the old PC with Windows 10 already on it and then stick it in the new PC - will it then activate on the new PC?
 
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deviation said:
I could be completely wrong, but doesn't the key/license die with the motherboard? Or is that no longer a thing?
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I'm not sure, when I type 'activate windows on a replacement motherboard' into Google, the AI overview thing says you can, but it also mentions that it might not be possible with an OEM licence,

I will probably back up my data from it later when it cools down and then whip it out and try it
 
OEM is tried to the first PC\Mobo its installed too, retail can be moved from PC to PC but must be deactivated on the old PC.

The OEM key is tried to the hardware ID of the previous PC which is why it will not activate as the PC does not have the same hardware ID.

I have heard of people using a Microsoft account and can manage to move an OEM key but I've never done it.
 
I just tried linking it to a MS account but no joy, Ive seen a site selling codes for £5 and they have trust pilot reviews so I mite try one

The 'home' codes are a few pence more than the 'pro' codes - but is pro better?
 
Rocky-Roader said:
I just tried linking it to a MS account but no joy, Ive seen a site selling codes for £5 and they have trust pilot reviews so I mite try one

The 'home' codes are a few pence more than the 'pro' codes - but is pro better?
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That seems a bit backwards as you get a few more features with Pro.
 
I'll go with the pro one, funny thing after I added it to the basket, the website told me this super deal expires in an hour, here we are 2 days later and the price is still the same :rolleyes:

Wonders if the people selling codes on eBay for £20 are getting them from websites for less than £5

Apparently if I buy a Windows 11 product key and eventually get bored of Windows 11 - I can do a clean install of Widows 10 and use the Windows 11 product key to activate it - which if true is a pleasant surprise
 
If you have an MS account it will digitally sign your device. If you swap out the mb or hdd MS will reactivate the first time you sign in. If you change loads of stuff then you can rebuild onto the fresh kit.

IIRC when you upgraded to Win11 you used your previous Win8 key to activate, then it's tied to that .
 
Little update: I got a code off one of those sites, it came through within seconds of buying it.

After putting the code in, the first screen says that the code is already activated on another device.

Then I click troubleshoot and that doesn't mention another device - but it does say it's a windows 11 home licence and I have windows 11 pro installed.

(the licence I purchased is supposed to be for windows 11 pro)

I emailed the site I got it from and they told me that this is a common problem and I can use the activate by phone option in windows to fix it or they can send me a replacement key.

I tried the activate by phone option and the MS robot sent me a text link to do it online.

After opening the link it asked for the installation ID, I typed that in and then it asked how many devices I've installed it on so I put 1,

It then gave me a confirmation ID to type into the PC - but when I came back onto the PC to find where to put the confirmation ID - windows had already activated - without me entering it.


So I was just wondering that if someone else used to own this windows key and had it linked to a MS account - they can't access anything on my pc can they?

I wonder if I should I ask the site for a replacement instead to see if that activates first time,
 
Rocky-Roader said:
Little update: I got a code off one of those sites, it came through within seconds of buying it.

After putting the code in, the first screen says that the code is already activated on another device.

Then I click troubleshoot and that doesn't mention another device - but it does say it's a windows 11 home licence and I have windows 11 pro installed.

(the licence I purchased is supposed to be for windows 11 pro)

I emailed the site I got it from and they told me that this is a common problem and I can use the activate by phone option in windows to fix it or they can send me a replacement key.

I tried the activate by phone option and the MS robot sent me a text link to do it online.

After opening the link it asked for the installation ID, I typed that in and then it asked how many devices I've installed it on so I put 1,

It then gave me a confirmation ID to type into the PC - but when I came back onto the PC to find where to put the confirmation ID - windows had already activated - without me entering it.


So I was just wondering that if someone else used to own this windows key and had it linked to a MS account - they can't access anything on my pc can they?

I wonder if I should I ask the site for a replacement instead to see if that activates first time,
Click to expand...
There is no correlation between Windows activation and access to the PC.
 
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