Link Microsoft Account to Windows 10 Digital License  

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  1. Posts : 19
    Windows 10 Pro
       #80

    Hello everyone!

    I have an somewhat older high end desktop rig running Windows 10 Pro. Certain parts are due for an upgrade soon, and I'm sure I'll continue to upgrade it in the future. I have a digital license (upgraded to Windows 10 for free) so I've always feared activation not recognizing my computer after a major hardware change. I recently came across this new feature of linking your Microsoft account to the PC's digital license. I thought this was perfect for me, until that I discovered that it converts your local account to a Microsoft account and your PC must always use the Microsoft account for the digital licence to remain linked.

    For various reasons I use my PC with a local account, and I individually sign into the apps I use with my Microsoft account. I want to keep it that way. Can I keep my account a local account until I'm ready to upgrade my hardware, and then link my Microsoft account to the digital license? Then once it is upgraded can I sign into my Microsoft account to activate it, then convert it back to a local account immediately after and still have it activated? Seems like an easy solution to my dilemna, but I'm just making sure I'm not missing anything and this will work.

    Thanks!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,668
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #81

    Hello apav, :)

    If you're not replacing your motherboard, you should be fine without having to do anything else.

    If you are replacing the motherboard, then what you propose should work if this is for a retail license and not an OEM license. OEM licenses are non transferable.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 112
    Win 7 Ultimate
       #82

    Brink said:
    Hello xbliss, :)

    Q1) I'm not sure what you're asking, but you will be able to use the license on another PC/VM since it's no longer activated on the nuked VHD.

    Q2) Each PC with a separate license can be linked to your MSA.

    Q3) There is not a concept of a primary administrator MSA on a PC. So any administrator MSA that is verified on a PC will show as having the HardwareID associated with their MSA and the OS digital license associated with that HardwareID. Don't think of the license as attached to the MSA, but instead think of the MSA as having the authority to transfer the license. If you have two MSAs verified on a PC and you use one to go through the reactivation process to transfer the digital license, then if you try it with the other MSA you will get told it's no longer possible.
    Thanks for these insights. Will read again when fresh in the morning :)

    PS: Is there any way / any place/ somewhere I can still download 14371?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 68,668
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #83

    Build 14372 is available using the download in OPTION THREE below if that may help.

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/9...d.html#option3
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 19
    Windows 10 Pro
       #84

    Brink said:
    Hello apav, :)

    If you're not replacing your motherboard, you should be fine without having to do anything else.

    If you are replacing the motherboard, then what you propose should work if this is for a retail license and not an OEM license. OEM licenses are non transferable.
    Thanks! Hmm that might be a problem. This computer first was running Windows 7 Ultimate, which I bought at my university's store at a discounted rate. It wasn't a boxed version, it was a CD in a sleeve, but I don't know if it was OEM. Then I upgraded to a digital copy of Windows 8.1, then to Windows 10. There's no way of telling if my license is OEM right?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 68,668
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #85

    This may be able to help determine what license type you have. :)

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...il-volume.html
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 19
    Windows 10 Pro
       #86

    Brink said:
    This may be able to help determine what license type you have. :)

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...il-volume.html
    Retail channel. Thanks!
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 68,668
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #87

      My Computers


  9. Posts : 1,507
    windows 10 PRO
       #88

    Re Windows 10 home 32BIT


    Set this up ok on my Windows 10 pro PC, but my Windows 10 home laptop doesn't want to know.
    there is no link MS account option and I have a local account currently...I am signed out from all Windows live accounts..

    can an I do this on my laptop

    also I have two user accounts, mine is an admin which I want linked to my MS account ( without any signin ) but the other account local standard should still require a login......maybe that's impossible

    thanks
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 68,668
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #89

    Hello Steve, :)

    Does your laptop have the Anniversary update installed on it?

    What do you see in the screenshot under step 2 on your laptop instead?
      My Computers


 

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