Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account

thedoc46 · 3 Sep 2020 at 15:37

Quick question with reference to the above.

If my license is Digital as in: Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account

Can i successfully buy a new mobo, cpu and memory, switch everything out, re-format, re-install Windows, and just re-login to my Microsoft Account and it'll re-activate?

Won't the digital license still be associated with my previous hardware ?

Is there a specific procedure i should be following, like just plug in my existing boot drive, allow it to plug and play all the new mobo drivers, and because the account / install is still the same, just new hardware, it updates big brother at Microsoft and moves my license that way ?

Sorry its confusing to say the least.

thedoc46 · 3 Sep 2020 at 17:28

mickyflinn said:
Yes its linked but you will have to set the option to a change of hardware.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

Where do you set the option to a change of hardware ?

thedoc46 · 3 Sep 2020 at 18:16

something daft already!! said:
It depends on which license you have. Is it retail or OEM?

Originally it would have been a Win7 Ultimate Retail, to which i upgraded when it was free and just ran with that since.

thedoc46 · 3 Sep 2020 at 18:18

mickyflinn said:
Here is a better guide it shows you hardware change.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.windowscentral.com/how-re-activate-windows-10-after-hardware-change?amp

Cool ok, that makes perfect sense. I do see my main PC listed in my Microsoft account, so guessing i just point to that after i re-install and fingers crossed, i have no issues.

thedoc46 · 3 Sep 2020 at 22:37

something daft already!! said:
That's probably OEM. They are tied to the hardware. If you open command prompt and type slmgr -dli

That will display your license type.

If it's OEM it is unlikely to be activated after the reinstall on new hardware.

If it does activate, it does not mean it's a legitimate license.

Thx for this handy command.. So i ran it and it came back with:

Name: Windowws(R) Professional edition
Description: Windows(R) Operating System, RETAIL channel
Partial Product Key: xxxxx
License Status: Licensed

Do we think it'll still ask me for a key ? or will my MS account, just move it over automatically. If it asks for a key, is there a a way to find my key within the OS ?