Need W10 Pro activation info from dead computer

WacoJohn · 29 Mar 2021

Old Toshiba laptop running W10 Pro died.
Bought a cheap replacement for it .. out of the box W10 S HOME.

I can upgrade it from Windows Store to W10 PRO (If I read it right) with either a 'product key' or $99.

I have a license for Pro sitting on a Toshiba which I MIGHT be able to boot up, but not sure that would help because it was an OEM W7 Pro upgraded to W10 Pro and I read the key is not shown on it anyway,

Any clear suggestions on what I can do short of spending $99??? Thank you in advance for your time.

bobkn · 29 Mar 2021

The license on the Toshiba is of no use to you.

I see Win10 licenses offered at low prices from sites that I usually regard as legitimate. Example: Guru3D.com However, I have no idea about what you'd get. Maybe the key would work, only to be blacklisted later. Feeling lucky?

NavyLCDR · 29 Mar 2021

Were you signed in with a Microsoft account on the old computer?

WacoJohn · 30 Mar 2021

I will spend the 99$. It's only money. The Toshiba was using a private account not an MS account.

Paul Black · 30 Mar 2021

Hello @WacoJohn,

Just for information . . .

License Types and Rules

MS offers Win 10 Licenses in many channels governed by different rules, but for most users, you can only acquire a License through the OEM [ Original Equipment Manufacturer ] or Retail channel.

An OEM License refers to the License that a manufacturer installs on new devices. If this is your case, the Product Key is NOT transferable, and you can NOT use it to Activate another installation [ unless you are re-activating a new installation on the same computer ].

A Retail License refers to the License that you acquire when purchasing a copy of Win 10 from your local store or an online retailer [ such as from MS or Amazon for example ]. If you have a Win 10 Retail License, you CAN transfer the Product Key to another computer, as long as you DEACTIVATE the Product Key on the other computer.

A Volume License is designed for large Businesses, Education, and Government. Usually, a Volume License allows organizations to use one master Product Key to Activate ANY installation of Win 10. Although you can use this License multiple times on different computers, you can NOT transfer it with the device when the system ownership changes, and you are NOT allowed to use the License to Activate devices that are NOT part of the Organization.

I hope this helps.

WacoJohn · 30 Mar 2021

Thank you. I have never seen it broken down so well. Will toss it into Google Keep for future ref.

Paul Black · 30 Mar 2021

WacoJohn said:

Thank you. I have never seen it broken down so well. Will toss it into Google Keep for future ref.

You are VERY welcome.

NavyLCDR · 30 Mar 2021

WacoJohn said:

I will spend the 99$. It's only money. The Toshiba was using a private account not an MS account.

That's too bad. Microsoft has been known to move OEM licenses to new computers via the Microsoft account login.

Bree · 30 Mar 2021

WacoJohn said:

Old Toshiba laptop running W10 Pro died.
Bought a cheap replacement for it .. out of the box W10 S HOME.....

It is possible to switch W10 S Home to W10 Home for free, if that's any help.....

....There's no charge to switch out of S mode.

Switch out of S mode in Windows 10 for Free

WacoJohn · 30 Mar 2021

Bree, that's what I thought when I bought the new computer, but when I went to Activation to go to HOME, the only option I saw was $99 for PRO or a product key. Guess ... no, I mean for certain, it's all too late now. Thank you all again.

Need W10 Pro activation info from dead computer

Need W10 Pro activation info from dead computer

thank you both.

thanks,