Windows reactivation after computer change

Hi all!
I searched trough existing threads for help but without success, so I'm opening new one.

I have a Win 10 digital license that I picked up a few years ago when MS gave a free upgrade from 7 to 10.
This license is properly linked to my Microsoft account on my old PC.

Now, I bought a new computer, so I was thinking of reactivating windows on a new machine, but it turns out it's not as simple as the instructions says:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-ph/...ardware-change

I signed in on new PC with my active account but when I try to activate windows on new machine trough Troubleshoot it is not displaying new PC in the list of computers associated with the MS account.

Does anyone know if Win 10 can be reactivated after a computer change?

According to Microsoft I need to buy new licence, but also I found info that it can be activated but you need to add a new account (option that I don't have since I'm already signed in)..

Any help is highly appreciated.

Hi How are you doing? I have read your post and am aware of your issue with Windows 10 activation.- - -



I think you have seen this scene on your old system. As you said "I have a Win 10 digital license that I picked up a few years ago when ..." that means you have not purchased the Windows 10 genuine key. And you have just retrieved the product key.

The issue you are facing with reactivation on your PC is because the key you have retrieved from your old PC is an non-transferable key simply as I can describe, which means it is an OEM key. You can not transfer the OEM key to another PC.

Though it was linked with your Microsoft Account that means that product key you have retrieved is now attached with your account with that specific device which is tied with it. You can not transfer the product Key to another computer which is an OEM key except it can be done with a retail key.

Microsoft was allowing free upgrade to Windows to only for qualified Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 PCs until the dead end date of free upgrade July 29 2016. And in that case if you own a genuine PC of Windows 7 or 8.1 you could freely upgrade to Windows 10. Those were OEM keys. Which means when you purchase a PC that was shipped with genuine copy of Windows.

Hi GYANA,
thank you for quick reply.

You are correct, this is the message that is displayed on my old machine.
So, the only way is purchasing new key?

If this is the case, can you suggest not-so-expensive way to purchase key for home pc?

You may directly own a genuine copy of Windows 10 by hand in your nearby well known Computer retail store. Or purchase from Amazon.

- - - Updated - - -

Did you purchase your new PC with FreeDOS?

66er said:

Does anyone know if Win 10 can be reactivated after a computer change?

Windows 10 was re-activated via my Windows 7 product key after I changed the motherboard.
See Windows 10 Activation questions
I did not have to do the following:

66er said:

to purchase key for home pc

My home built desktop PC started life under Windows 8 for which I bought a retail Windows 8 Pro licence. This PC was upgraded to Windows 10 and has a digital licence linked to my MS account.

Can I build a new Windows 10 PC and activate it using my original Windows 8 Pro retail key? Will the old PC become deactivated if I continue to use it?

Thank you all for reply's.

So, the only way to work it is to remove the licence from old PC and then activate in on new one?