Easy to transfer W10/11 licence to new pc?

Removed User 345456 · 12 Sep 2023 at 11:04

Glanza said:
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.

Ahhh, thanks for clarifying, when did they start allowing that then?

Glanza · 12 Sep 2023 at 11:11

keef247 said:
Ahhh, thanks for clarifying, when did they start allowing that then?

Windows 10 era

Removed User 345456 · 12 Sep 2023 at 11:20

Glanza said:
Windows 10 era

I was going to say I didn't think that was a thing prior win10!

thedoc46 · 12 Sep 2023 at 17:16

So i had no issues. i de-activated the serial before pulling apart the old hardware. At the time of activation, and after entering the 'Retail' key it did say problem with activation, and then i chose replaced hardware, and then it showed my old machine against my Microsoft account, and it allowed me to activate the new build.

I think you can use the retail key over and over again. just not the OEM, but i could be wrong

Deleted member 77746 · 13 Sep 2023 at 11:03

keef247 said:
I'm confused, I thought the code always died with your motherboard, so an upgrade/swap to another rig was a big no no?

I really don't think they care now. A lot of the time the licence is tied to the account logged in.

Blackjack Davy · 14 Sep 2023 at 05:03

lemming3k said:
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.

I've installed Win 10 from scratch and reactivated on a new motherboard using an old Win 7 Pro key (OEM)

Deleted member 77746 · 14 Sep 2023 at 09:40

Blackjack Davy said:
I've installed Win 10 from scratch and reactivated on a new motherboard using an old Win 7 Pro key (OEM)

I’ve done all sorts and been on phone to Microsoft for reactivations and they didn’t care what so ever. They reactivated 100% of the requests I did by phone no matter what hardware replacements was done.

They would rather (in my eyes) have people on a pc with the OS be activated and make the money other way.