Windows 10 Pro License -- transferring it to a new machine

randomus3r · 18 Jan 2021

hi

Some years ago, I purchased a Surface Pro 4 (SP4). Then upgraded from the Home edition to the Pro edition through the Activation settings.

Now I got a new device with Windows 10 Home, and want to sell the SP4.

How can I remove my Windows 10 Pro license from the SP4 and use it with the new device?

What license will the SP4 end up having?

Matthew Wai · 18 Jan 2021

Is the Pro license Retail or OEM?

randomus3r · 18 Jan 2021

Matthew Wai said:

Is the Pro license Retail or OEM?

I don't know that:

... upgraded from the Home edition to the Pro edition through the Activation settings

If you go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation

You can upgrade from there

NavyLCDR · 18 Jan 2021

randomus3r said:

I don't know that:

... upgraded from the Home edition to the Pro edition through the Activation settings

If you go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation

You can upgrade from there

You had to have a product key to upgrade from there. Where did you get the product key that you used.

randomus3r · 18 Jan 2021

NavyLCDR said:

You had to have a product key to upgrade from there. Where did you get the product key that you used.

When you go to activation, select Upgrade, then follow through the process. I simply paid for the upgrade and it worked.

If you have a license number before, you can use that license. If not, then you pay for the upgrade in the store and it works automatically

At any rate, how does that matter for my question? Assume I can retrieve the product key from the store. Then, again

How can I remove my Windows 10 Pro license from the SP4 and use it with the new device?

- - - Updated - - -

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...5-d1a218cc2818

Buying a Windows 10 Pro upgrade from the Microsoft Store app and successfully activated Windows 10: Digital license

Fabler2 · 18 Jan 2021

If you upgrade via Store it's cheaper than buying full retail and it's OEM. Home was already installed as OEM.

Edit,

See here How much does it cost to upgrade from Windows 10 Home version 1903 to - Microsoft Community

Matthew Wai · 18 Jan 2021

randomus3r said:

How can I remove my Windows 10 Pro license from the SP4 and use it with the new device?

Run the following command via Windows PowerShell (Admin):

SLMgr /upk

It will uninstall the product key.

randomus3r · 18 Jan 2021

Fabler2 said:

If you upgrade via Store it's cheaper than buying full retail and it's OEM. Home was already installed as OEM.

Edit,

See here How much does it cost to upgrade from Windows 10 Home version 1903 to - Microsoft Community

Thanks, but I am not asking about the cost of a new license

I want to use my license in a new computer. If I sell the old computer, I do not want to be associated in any way, shape or form with the new owner, obviously. I plan to reset the old computer before selling it.

- - - Updated - - -

Matthew Wai said:

Run the following command via Windows PowerShell (Admin):

SLMgr /upk

It will uninstall the product key.

Thanks Matt

Then what happens with the old computer? What license will end up having? Home or Pro? What happens after I reset the old computer?

Fabler2 · 18 Jan 2021

OEM versions of Windows are non transferrable supposedly.

Paul Black · 18 Jan 2021

Fabler2 said:

OEM versions of Windows are non transferrable supposedly.

You are correct.

License Types and Installed License Type

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.