Is Product Key Transferable to New PC?

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  1. Posts : 33
    Windows 10 Professional
       #1

    Is Product Key Transferable to New PC?


    I have decided to build a new PC instead of trying to fix the unsupported UEFI Disk problem I've had for the last year with my current PC. I have downloaded the Windows 10 Media and installed it to a USB drive. When the install routine asks for my product key, I would like to be able to enter it. Problem is, I upgraded my current machine from Windows 8 to Windows 10 Pro for free and never had to enter a product key. I think the last key I had was for Windows 7.1, which is what I originally installed on this current PC.

    So, is the product key stored somewhere on my computer, or can I get it from Microsoft somehow? Or do I have to purchase a new product key? I know I don't have to enter a product key right away, but I'd like to have it from the start and not worry about it later.

    Thanks for any guidance on this.

    Jim
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hi, if your original license was OEM, it cannot be transferred to a new PC.

    If it was retail, it can be- as many times as you like. Which was yours? That's the - er - key question.

    There is no product key for Win 10 in the same way as for previous editions.

    I'm not quite sure if you're referring to a completely different PC, or simply reinstalling Windows on the same PC. If the latter, activation should be automatic. It may be harder if you're making significant hardware changes.

    If you have a retail key, please see:
    Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First

    Uninstall Product Key and Deactivate Windows 10

    Activate Windows 10

    Finally, if you're confident that you have the right to Win 10 on your target PC and still have difficulty, you can contact your regional MS activation centre.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 33
    Windows 10 Professional
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Sorry, I should have made that clear... I've only had one computer that was "OEM" and that was my first, back in 1991, with MS-DOS 5.5. I've built all my own computers since. The one I'm using now is about 6 years old and the original OS I installed was Windows 7.1. It was upgraded to 8, then 10, but MS decided that the way my BIOS or disks were set up was all wrong and I've been getting alerts/warnings for a year or so now.

    The new machine is just that, brand new. All the individual parts are in a pile not 3 feet away, waiting for me to assemble them. My current machine will be stripped of its drives for security, a new 500GB SSD installed without an OS and it will be sold or given away right after I blow out the dust and clean it up - the machine listed in my profile. The new machine will be all new, including the boot drive, but I will be moving a 5TB data drive (pictures, videos, documents, music, etc.) from the old PC to the new.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       #4

    Link Microsoft Account to Windows 10 Digital License

    This is another possible way to activate windows on the new hardware, it`s a bit more involved.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #5

    But an OEM-derived license is not transferable.

    If you’re signed in using the correct Microsoft account, here are some additional reasons why you can’t reactivate Windows:

    • The edition of Windows on your device doesn’t match the edition of Windows you linked to your digital license.
    • The type of device you’re activating doesn’t match the type of device you linked to your digital license.
    • Windows was never activated on your device.
    • You reached the limit on the number of times you can reactivate Windows on your device.
    • OEM license is non transferable. Only a retail license is transferable.
    • Your device has more than one administrator, and a different administrator already reactivated Windows on your device.
    • Your device is managed by your organization and the option to reactivate Windows isn’t available. For help with reactivation, contact your organization’s support person.
    Preceded by
    If you didn’t add your Microsoft account and link it to the digital license on your device, you won’t be able to reactivate Windows after a hardware change using the Activation troubleshooter.
    - so having a linked account does not let you avoid that restriction.

    Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #6

    Jim McClain said:
    I've built all my own computers since. The one I'm using now is about 6 years old and the original OS I installed was Windows 7.
    You still got the key? You should still be able to activate Windows 10 with it.

    How To Activate Windows 10 With Windows 7/8/8.1 Product key

    A Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate key will activate 10 Pro, others will activate 10 Home.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #7

    @lx07 - that's covered in more depth in the tutorial first quoted in my #2.

    Are you saying that it's legitimate to do that with a OEM key from a different PC?

    Or that it will be accepted as legitimate- even though it shouldn't be?

    Thanks.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #8

    I'm not saying anything. If the key is accepted by Microsoft then that is good enough for me - if it isn't for someone else that is fine. Pointless to discuss.

    Anyway what makes you think OP has OEM key? Post #3 implies not.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,773
    Windows 10 Home
       #9

    That's my impression too, that he built the computer and must have bought a copy of Windows 7 to install, then did the step upgrades to 8 & 10. If he has still has the key written down or the box, he should be good to go.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #10

    As I've said, if the OP has a retail key, it's fine.
      My Computers


 

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