Hey guys. Quick question: Is it recommended to uninstall Windows 10 before installing it on a new computer? My license isn't OEM but I was wondering if Microsoft would frown if there were two copies of the same W10 license on two separate computers
Thanks :)
Legally if you put Windows on a new PC you will need to buy a new copy
AFAIK it happens only on OEM systems. My license is connected to my MS account since it was an upgrade from a bought Windows 8
You can't activate with the same retail key on two computers at the same time. It's not allowed. You can move your retail license to another PC though. You need two separate licenses to run Windows on two separate devices. The only exception is volume licensing. Or if it's a MAK key.
No. Your license is linked to your Microsoft account. But it's actually tied to the hardware it was activated on. The Digital License for that PC is tied to the hardware ID of that PC. Being linked to your Microsoft account has nothing to do with activation. I can activate my PC with it's DL with a local account. Or another account. Who logs in has nothing to do with it. It's the hardware that is checked. Plus, that license is only valid for the one device.
Understood. What if I remove Windows 10 from the previous computer (by doing a format for example) before installing it on the new computer?
Won't matter, the DL is already stored on the activation server. You need to do that anyway, but it won't stop the activation server from refusing to activate on the new PC with the other license. Once you install and it refuses to activate, you'll get an option to troubleshoot activation. There you can transfer the license. Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10
The slmgr /dlv command shows RETAIL channel so I guess I'm safe.
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