New build - New license?

I've often wondered about this as it was my understanding that the key was hardcodded to the motherboard.

I have upgraded before but that was on vista. I simply phoned Microsoft and get a new key. I'm pretty sure it doesn't work like that anymore.
 
I've done new builds with my license as it's tied to my outlook account. You just have to do a few button presses when activation fails first time essentially
 
Usually if you had a OEM License this was tied to the motherboard it was first installed / activated on, Retail allowed you to change the motherboard and re-activate.
 
RJC said:
Usually if you had a OEM License this was tied to the motherboard it was first installed / activated on, Retail allowed you to change the motherboard and re-activate.
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Correct. I bought a Windows 7 Retail which has worked on 3 or 4 builds since and mostly on Windows 10.

Try it an see, it will soon tell you if it's not happy.. Telephone activation, which is a pain, may actually activate for you.
 
Admiral Huddy said:
Correct. I bought a Windows 7 Retail which has worked on 3 or 4 builds since and mostly on Windows 10.

Try it an see, it will soon tell you if it's not happy.. Telephone activation, which is a pain, may actually activate for you.
Click to expand...

I did the same when 7 was launched, did have one issue a couple of years ago when trying to activate my new build, they end up giving me a new number.
 
If you logged it to Windows 10 with a Microsoft account, instead of a local login and activated it previously you’ll have a digital licence which you should be able to reactivate on a new computer, might have to phone MS up though.
 
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