New win10 system build, how do I activate from my old upgraded win7?

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  1. Posts : 6
    windows 10
       #1

    New win10 system build, how do I activate from my old upgraded win7?


    Hi,
    I'm building a new system and would like to use the license from my dismantled old system.
    The old system started with win7 and has been upgraded all the way up to win10 through the years.
    I purchased a "Windows 10 Home 64-bit Installation/Recovery Disc Only" to simplify things.
    I will install this first.
    From what I read I now have a digital license for the old system.
    I'm wondering how do I transfer the license to the new system?
    Do I need to "un-register" the old system?
    I have the original product key but my new system has completely new hardware (except for DVD player) so I don't see how the license can be linked automatically.
    I haven't tried yet so I'm just gathering info for when I do in a couple days.

    Thanks!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hi, if the Win 7 license was retail, you can do this; if OEM you can't. Which do you have?

    You can do this if you have a retail license given your new hardware:
    Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First

    This is how to create a bootable disk to install Win 10:
    Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10

    Such iso's and bootable disks will install Home or Pro e.g. depending on your license.

    If you have a relevant valid Win 7 license there was no need to buy anything- the upgrade would be free.

    If you previously logged in with a MS account, your activation will be linked anyway:
    Link Microsoft Account to Windows 10 Digital License
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 6
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks!
    I have a retail copy, hopefully it will go smoothly.
    I'll respond in a few days!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,773
    Windows 10 Home
       #4

    Retail copy can be used on any ONE computer, at a time w/o restriction. If the old computer had a retail Windows 7, you can now activate two, if you have the orig product key. You may need to call the 800 number, if it doesn't take.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    My old system will be deactivated?
    This is as it should be since I only paid for one copy.
    Thanks!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #6

    emilgolen said:
    My old system will be deactivated?
    This is as it should be since I only paid for one copy.
    Thanks!
    There is no explicit deactivation.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 6
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thanks all !!!
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #8

    let us know how it goes..
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 32
    XP64 Professional, Windows 7 Ult. Windows 10 Ult
       #9

    If all else fails get the Windows Media creator and if you want Windows 10 AND if you have a legit copy of Win 7 do a quick install on your hardware. Activate your Windows 7 and once it's activated and Microsoft is happy, install the media creator! Windows 10 will now install and use Magic Jelly Bean to find the keys but keep in mind once Win 10 is installed it is reregistered to this particular hardware.
    Otherwise here is another scenario and that is download the ISO image from Microsoft and if need be use your Microsoft account and get an ISO and install it but select I don't have keys and see what happens. You have nothing to lose but your time. Microsoft nolonger allows Win 7 keys as I found this out several weeks ago but instead I used the Media Creator tool and Win 10 Pro installed without a hitch and is now registered to your hardware.
    Alternative number three is purchase a key from a seller on eBay for next to nothing as well. I got burned on a Win7 key but it was for $5.00. How I got burned was yes it activated fine but several months later the scam artist seller was selling the same keys toooooo many times and when I did a reinstall Activation wouldn't work and Microsoft informed me my Keys were blacklisted. Win 10 sells for similar but remember one thing! Once it's activated its registered to your hardware for the life of the hardware OR unless you contact them and remove it from this hardware and transfer to another which is what I have done.
    Presently my most recent adventure with Win10 is on a crappy Acer Aspire One AO533 with a massive Atom N455 and 2GB of Ram. My first attempt was 2015 on the same hardware and I can't remember if I deactivated or transferred after I yanked out Win10 Pro but I reinstalled and selected I don't have keys and it's activated and humping along like it should for a 1.66ghz processor and 2gb of RAM. ��
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 6
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    I'll keep you posted!
      My Computer


 

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