I sell my PC and make a new one from parts. Can I keep my license ?

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  1. Posts : 373
    Linux/W10
       #11

    brianwall said:
    This is not a myth. Since Win8, the product key is stored on the motherboard. At least for shop bought PCs.
    We are talking about Windows Ten here. It does not store any key in the BIOS, nor does it rely on a Microsoft Account, there are plenty of people using W10 who have never had and never will have an account.
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  2. Posts : 63
    win10 insider
       #12

    Torquemada said:
    We are talking about Windows Ten here. It does not store any key in the BIOS, nor does it rely on a Microsoft Account, there are plenty of people using W10 who have never had and never will have an account.
    OK my last comment on this LOL!!

    "The free Windows 10 license works very differently from previous Windows licensing systems. These all required a product key. Even modern Windows 8 and 8.1 PCs — and new PCs that come with Windows 10 — have a Windows product key embedded in their UEFI firmware. If you buy a new copy of Windows 10 — for example, to install it on a PC you’re building yourself — you’ll also have a product key.
    In this case, the product key would always serve to activate Windows. But Microsoft hasn’t been handing out Windows 10 product keys to upgraders. There’s no way to find your Windows 10 product key if you’ve upgraded for free — you just don’t have one."

    Also: "Embedded in your PC’s UEFI firmware: Many newer PCs that come with Windows 8 or later use a new method. The key for the version of Windows the PC comes with is stored in the computer’s UEFI firmware or BIOS. You don’t even need to know it — assuming you’re installing the same edition of Windows the PC came with, it should automatically activate and work without you needing to enter a key. It’ll all happen automatically."

    Regarding the OP's question, it seems he may still be able to use his original Win10. When reinstalling, he has to skip past all references to registration or activation and the install will proceed. When completed he'll have to phone MS and explain that this isn't a new computer with a second install but his one and only. Then he should be OK. Allegedly. MS are still very coy about all this. LOL.
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  3. Posts : 550
    10 pro 64
       #13

    Have you notice the OP is using a Windows 10 Technical Preview, so what license is there for a Technical Preview ?
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  4. Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       #14

    May I ask why some are assuming he`s talking about Windows 10 ?

    If he`s running the TP, he doesn`t even have a license for 10 so........

    I`m under the assumption he`s talking about a license for 7, 8 or 8.1 as he does not mention, and yes I know he`s using Tenforms.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 63
    win10 insider
       #15

    sn00ker said:
    Have you notice the OP is using a Windows 10 Technical Preview, so what license is there for a Technical Preview ?
    I've been on the Insider program fast track for many months now. Originally were were all given a temporay activation key but a month or so ago all these were deleted by MS and our Win10 preview copies became activation via the MS Account login. This is compulsory for Insiders but retail consumers can opt out of the MS account requirement if they insist. But I wouldn't recommend it.
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  6. Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       #16

    MilesAhead said:
    Device driver's license.
    What ??????
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  7. Posts : 550
    10 pro 64
       #17

    brianwall said:
    I've been on the Insider program fast track for many months now. Originally were were all given a temporay activation key but a month or so ago all these were deleted by MS and our Win10 preview copies became activation via the MS Account login. This is compulsory for Insiders but retail consumers can opt out of the MS account requirement if they insist. But I wouldn't recommend it.
    Doesn't the Technical Preview have an expiry date ? Once it became activated by MS does it still stay the same or was their an update which may it a final version ?
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  8. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #18

    brianwall said:
    This is not a myth. Since Win8, the product key is stored on the motherboard. At least for shop bought PCs.
    But it is a myth that Windows 10 stores information to the BIOS. Manufacturers can load a product key in bios, but no version of Windows ever has. Windows 10 will read a Windows 10 product key from the bios - if the manufacturer has loaded one there.
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  9. Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       #19

    Exactly.

    The only time I know of when an OS auto activated to a certain manufacturer`s pc is when you used the oem disc that came with the PC, I beleieve XP did it, Vista, maybe 7.

    8 is when they started putting the key in the bios, whether they gave you a disc I don`t know, I would never buy a Windows 8 or 8.1 machine, not no way, not no how.

    Attachment 35000
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  10. Posts : 63
    win10 insider
       #20

    NavyLCDR said:
    But it is a myth that Windows 10 stores information to the BIOS. Manufacturers can load a product key in bios, but no version of Windows ever has. Windows 10 will read a Windows 10 product key from the bios - if the manufacturer has loaded one there.
    Sorry you're right - OEMs load it into the bios, not MS. MS load it into the hidden system partition on the boot drive.I sell my PC and make a new one from parts. Can I keep my license ?-system.png

    The technical preview scheme continues even though Win10 is released retail in order for Insiders to act as guinea pigs for updates and upgrades.
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