Cloning same model computers / Keep Windows License


  1. Bryantom
    Posts : 4
    Windows 10 Home
       New #1

    Cloning same model computers / Keep Windows License


    All,

    As I posted in a previous thread, my company is trying out Intel NUC computers with Windows 10 Home. So I have two computers and it took literally two days to install all of the Windows updates for both computers. I've used Clonezilla successfully for a K12 computer lab for years, not caring about licensing issues, but now I'm working a Corporate and I want to make sure licensing stays kosher. After using Clonezilla, or another cloning application, is there a way to put the original Windows license back in place? Does it matter anymore? I've read some posts in this forum and the license is now written or read to/from the motherboard? I'm guessing that has to be the case since the computers don't have the usual Windows logo with an install certificate.

    Warning, I'm a 31 year Mac Veteran / Technician that knows enough about Windows OS to be dangerous.

    Thanks,
    Bryan
      My Computer
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  3. dalchina
    Posts : 42,986
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #2

    This is one angle which may be of interest:
    If you already used an MSA to sign in to your activated Windows 10 Home or Pro PC, your MSA will be automatically linked. You can use this MSA linked digital license to re-activate your Genuine Windows 10 device by running the Activation troubleshooter, if you run into Activation issues caused by hardware changes.
    Link Microsoft Account to Windows 10 Digital License | Tutorials

    Otherwise in general the license is tied to a particular form of the hardware id, being held on MS's activation servers.

    However, I would expect someone here who has actually been through the cloning procedure will be able to comment more usefully.
      My Computers
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  4. Bree
    Posts : 31,660
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       New #3

    Bryantom said:
    I've read some posts in this forum and the license is now written or read to/from the motherboard? I'm guessing that has to be the case since the computers don't have the usual Windows logo with an install certificate.
    Yes, it has been the case since Windows 8.0 that a PC supplied with an OEM pre-installed Windows has a full product key embedded in the firmware. This replaces the CoA that was supplied with Win7 along with an SLP marker in the firmware to show that it is entitled to run Win7. You can read this embedded product key with ShowKey Plus.

    ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Forums
      My Computers
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