Easy to transfer W10/11 licence to new pc?
- Thread starter Andr3w
- Start date
Oh man I have no idea, it was ages ago.
I just logged into my microsoft account and doesn't mention anywhere what 'type' of license it might be. It just lists my PC under 'devices'
Soldato
Open command prompt as administrator
Type in
Slmgr /dli
Press enter
Should tell you oem or retail
"Windows(R) Operation System, RETAIL channel"
Soldato
Shouldn't be any problem then
In theory at least
I have changed multiple cpus,gpus,motherboard
And signing into my Microsoft account
Everything was fine
Worst case scenario you have to contact Microsoft
And explain new motherboard etc
Shouldn't happen
But never say never when comes to pc
Haha ok thanks! I wasn't sure if there was a 'process' to follow etc! Fingers crossed eh
The codes get linked to your MB, so depending on what you have and if you are transfering a drive with the O/S already on depends how you move forward;
If you got it from microsoft and it's attached to your account, it should just be a case of logging into the account and authenticating with the new hardware. You will likely need to remove the old hardware from the list as although it's reusable it can't be in multiple places.
If it's retail you'll need the code, and will probably need to re-install windows in some form and re-authenticate. If you already have it on a drive then it'll prompt a repair (since it detect the new MB) and you'll need to authenticate.
In both the above cases MS support should assist with any issues since a retail code is re-usable. Remember you will need to install the version of windows that the code is valid for ie if the code is for win7, you can't install and authenticate windows 10 off the bat and need to go through the motions of upgrading AFTER authentication. I recently used a win 7 code but it's getting difficult since NVMEs aren't recognised and they've removed the win 7 auth checks when it went out of support.
If it's OEM and/or you have no code, you may be out of luck and need to purchase a new one. Could still be worth a call but you're relying on MS goodwill.
If you got it from microsoft and it's attached to your account, it should just be a case of logging into the account and authenticating with the new hardware. You will likely need to remove the old hardware from the list as although it's reusable it can't be in multiple places.
If it's retail you'll need the code, and will probably need to re-install windows in some form and re-authenticate. If you already have it on a drive then it'll prompt a repair (since it detect the new MB) and you'll need to authenticate.
In both the above cases MS support should assist with any issues since a retail code is re-usable. Remember you will need to install the version of windows that the code is valid for ie if the code is for win7, you can't install and authenticate windows 10 off the bat and need to go through the motions of upgrading AFTER authentication. I recently used a win 7 code but it's getting difficult since NVMEs aren't recognised and they've removed the win 7 auth checks when it went out of support.
If it's OEM and/or you have no code, you may be out of luck and need to purchase a new one. Could still be worth a call but you're relying on MS goodwill.
Soldato
As always
Make an image backup of the current pc
Before doing anything
I have both just shoved my drives in
Without doing anything To them
Ie left the previous windows installation on there
And done a clean install
No problem with either way
no need to do a repair
But that's just my personal experience
Other people may have had different experiences
Make an image backup of the current pc
Before doing anything
I have both just shoved my drives in
Without doing anything To them
Ie left the previous windows installation on there
And done a clean install
No problem with either way
no need to do a repair
But that's just my personal experience
Other people may have had different experiences
Oh god yes I meant to add this. Backup everything like browser favourites etc and particularly your windows profile if you are a gamer as a ton of saves are placed in the hidden appdata area.
It's not so much that you need a repair, it's just if you have a retail or OEM licence and try to boot into the O/S on a new MB then it prompts a repair/reset automatically because of the hardware change invalidating the licence. Once completed it'll let you log in but will be unauthenticated and make you go through the auth process again. It's deliberate to stop piracy from pre-authenticating dozens of drives on a good system then selling them on (individually or part of a system). If it's an MS account licence then I *think* it skips all this because it's basically a 'personal' licence that stays with you. You just need to unlink your previous hardware when you hit the limit.
I mean, the reset is basically like going back to a clean install anyway (ignore anything it says about keeping files, you won't) so might as well just boot from USB and do a clean install tbh.
Unless Windows has changed it doesn't stop you running unauthenticated versions it just limits updates and features (including security) so wouldn't recommend it.
Soldato
Bit unusual to have enterprise installed
Didn't it have any sort of recovery/factory restore on it?
Did you install enterprise from the usb?
When upgrading I like to keep the old HDD / SSD untouched so I can go back to it if necessary.
Downloaded from Microsoft website. Says activated
It's definitely an idea if you're getting a new O/S drive.
Soldato
if you have the retail after running slmgr then download winkeyfinder and get your key, presumably if you can't remember where you keep the original key. Then use that at the time of install on the new drive / setup. At least i hope how that's going to work. I'll be trying this in a few days once all my new parts arrive.
Soldato
- Joined
- 16 Aug 2009
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That for sure recently i.e. yesterday upgraded mobo cpu ram windows became unactivated naturally woudn't activate via microsoft account still had a product key lying around and it accepted that otherwise it was directing me to MS store to buy a new key... no thanks.
Is there a way to see what devices are listed and how to add them? Because my account didn't show anything despite having a "digital licence"
Last edited:
Permabanned
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I'm confused, I thought the code always died with your motherboard, so an upgrade/swap to another rig was a big no no?
Soldato
If you were logged in with a Microsoft account on the previous pc / motherboard you usually get 1 free 'transfer' to activate the new hardware.