Windows 10 and Microsoft account question

Windows 10 Version 1903

Greetings,

I'm eventually going to buy a new PC and give my existing computer to my mother but I have a question regarding Windows activation.

When I purchased my present computer I had Windows 8 Professional installed and I took advantage of Microsoft's free upgrade to Windows 10 Professional when it was available. Isn't this Windows 10 upgrade linked to my Microsoft account though? Obviously I will be disconnecting my Microsoft account from this current PC when I hand it on to my mother, but by doing so won't this also remove the Windows 10 installation?

bro67 said:

It is linked to the device not the account. You just have to remove the device from your account.

Okay, thanks bro67.

templar said:

Isn't this Windows 10 upgrade linked to my Microsoft account though?

The digital licence is stored on the Microsoft activation servers and is linked to the unique hardware ID of the PC.


Linking it to your MS account is an optional extra that can help with activation troubleshooting (such as after changing the motherboard) but in no way affects the digital licence linked to the hardware ID.

Bree said:

The digital licence is stored on the Microsoft activation servers and is linked to the unique hardware ID of the PC.


Linking it to your MS account is an optional extra that can help with activation troubleshooting (such as after changing the motherboard) but in no way affects the digital licence linked to the hardware ID.

Thanks for your reply, Bree.