Transfer Pro part of license?

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  1. Posts : 46
    Win 10
       #1

    Transfer Pro part of license?


    I'm looking to replace my 8 year old PC with something compatible with Windows 11. The current PC was originally licensed with Windows 8.1 Pro and updated to Windows 10 Pro. Is it possible extract the Pro portion of a license to downgrade the current PC to Windows Home and use the Pro portion to upgrade a new Windows Home system? (Current system is fully updated.) That way the old system retains some value (e.g., could be donated) and save a few nickels on a new PC.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #2

    Not without purchasing a Windows Home license and reinstalling Windows.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 13,895
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #3

    To add, it's the Product Key that determines whether Home or Pro is activated, I've done a few Home to Pro simply by changing the Product Key to a previously unused Pro key, all the features of Pro are in the installation, just not activated but did have to be online for the activation to work. OEM computers with Win8/Win10 have the key embedded, have not yet had to deal with the Retail version installations.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 46
    Win 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    So it's still not clear that I can or cannot do what I propose. I buy a new system with Windows Home. And I have an old system with Windows Pro. Thus I have two licenses. Is it possible to swap licenses between old and new such that new has Windows Pro and old has Windows Home?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 13,895
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #5

    If both machines are OEM but of different brands the answer would be No, e,g. Dell-branded won't install on HP. Sometimes the same-branded software won't install on different models of the same brand.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 46
    Win 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Ah, the maximization of profit! While what I'd like to do might work, it's unlikely to succeed. And if I tried and failed I'd have to pay even more for a working solution. Best is to pay the premium up front. Oh well.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 13,895
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #7

    Unfortunately for the budget that seems to be the only thing to do. Two caveats, you don't need to downgrade Pro to Home, just don't use the more-advanced features of Pro and also beware of where getting the Pro license, have seen $99USD as a reasonable price for Pro from legitimate sellers.
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  8. Posts : 46
    Win 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    A further thought: If I have an activation associated with my Microsoft account, is that key OEM specific? Or can it be applied to any manufacturer's system?
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  9. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #9

    geoB said:
    A further thought: If I have an activation associated with my Microsoft account, is that key OEM specific? Or can it be applied to any manufacturer's system?
    No - the licence is linked tp hardware. The MS link is to enable a user to reactivate pc if it fails due to a hardware change. It is not designed for transferring licences to a different pc.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 13,895
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #10

    geoB said:
    A further thought: If I have an activation associated with my Microsoft account, is that key OEM specific? Or can it be applied to any manufacturer's system?
    I have seen where not only is the key tied to an OEM but that it had to be activated/reactivated by that OEM, not Microsoft.
      My Computers


 

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