Two Computers Show Both Activated With Same Key

It seems to be that MS aren't really caring about this. Been in similar situation - old computer, deactivated and uninstalled Win 10 key, remove the HDD. Used the key to activate (successfully) another installation.

Was going to dispose of the original device but found that using an SSD smartened it up no end, so re-installed Win 10 (would run unactivated). Connected the internet >>> activated !!! Now both devices run with the same key.

Like you, my intention was to do the right thing, but if Microsoft won't let me ....Meh !!

EDIT : Neither device has a MS account, both local accounts.

idgat said:

....old computer, deactivated and uninstalled Win 10 key, remove the HDD. Used the key to activate (successfully) another installation.

Retail keys are transferable provided you remove Windows from the old machine, it's in the EULA.

Was going to dispose of the original device but found that using an SSD smartened it up no end, so re-installed Win 10 (would run unactivated). Connected the internet >>> activated !!! Now both devices run with the same key.

Are you sure the reinstall has the same key? A clean install, skipping entering a key when asked, will install using the generic key. A generic key will only activate if the PC has a digital licence linked to its hardware ID and stored on the Microsoft activation servers.

There is no way to remove a digital licence that's linked to a hardware ID. Once the PC has got one it will always activate a clean install. You can follow the EULA to the letter and completely wipe a PC before selling it on or breaking it for spares, then legitimately use your retail key to activate a new build. But if the new owner were to clean install the same edition of W10 then it will activate from the digital licence. There are reported cases of TF members who bought a second hand motherboard, only to find it had an existing digital licence.

My laptop shows the generic Win 10 Pro key even though I used a genuine Win 8 Pro key to upgrade to Pro.
If the devices are showing a generic key then it’s normal.

theoldfarter said:

...the key both laptops show is listed on the Internet as a "generic key".
The more I read up on this matter, the more confused I get as there is a heap of conflicting opinion about it.

It's really quite simple. The generic key will be used if you clean install Windows 10 without providing a key, or it you upgrade from an activated Windows 7 or 8 to 10. A generic key cannot activate windows 10, but if the PC has previously had the same edition of 10 (Home or Pro) installed and activated, then that is recorded on Microsoft's activation servers and linked to the unique hardware ID of the PC. A digital licence will be created when you upgrade from an activated W7/W8.

An install with a generic key will activate only if there's an existing digital licence for the edition you installed on the MS activation servers. No digital licence means an unactivated install, you will need to enter a valid W7, W8 or W10 key to activated it. After that the PC will have a digital licence on the activation servers and you can clean install without entering a key.

theoldfarter said:

I now realise that the key I entered into the Asus, is a generic key. I remember reading something about if you do that, you have a period of time (3 weeks?) to enter a Retail Pro Key or it will revert back to Home. Is that what will happen?

If you try to change your installed key to the generic Pro key while your Win 10 Home is connected to the internet, then Windows will check the activation servers for a digital licence for Pro. If your PC already has one, then you will upgrade to an activated W10 Pro. If there is no digital licence for Pro then you will not be allowed to upgrade to Pro.

If you change to the Pro key while not connected to the internet then Windows will upgrade Home to Pro regardless of whether you have a digital licence for Pro or not. When you next connect to the interned your Win 10 Pro will check for a digital licence, if one exits your Pro will activate, if not it will be unactivated. To activate it you will have to use a legitimate W7/8/10 Pro key. The same applies if you do a clean install of W10 Pro - no existing digital licence meand it won't activate.

Pro cannot downgrade to Home, if yours is activated now it will stay activated. If it is not activated Pro will remain installed and continue to work, but with some restrictions (mainly in personalisation) there's no time limit.

theoldfarter said:

This Asus came with Windows 10 Home OEM. With what you have written, do you know why it is showing as activated with Pro?

Look in Settings > Update & Security > Activation. If you see this....



...then your 10 Pro is activated and will remain so. Have you had the Asus from new? If not it's possible someone may have installed Pro then 'factory reset' it back to Home before selling it. If you have had it from new and your W10 Pro says 'activated' then it may be that the activation servers have made an error, but once a digital licence has been given to a PC the activation servers cannot revoke it. It's yours to keep.

If it's not activated then you have a choice. Either activate it by entering a valid Pro key for W7, 8 or 10 (even a W7 key from the CoA an old PC that you no longer use will do), Clean install Home, or follow Brink's tutorial to downgrade from Pro to Home.

Downgrade from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 10 Home