Hey all!
So I'm basically looking to move onto another system. Had to many issues with my current one. A friend donated a pc with a newer UEFI mobo and cpu.
I was just wondering how I'm supposed to transfer my Windows over as my current key is embedded onto my current motherboard.
As in it activates automatically once I connect to the internet. Thank you
If it's embedded in the bios then It's a OEM key and can't legally be transferred to another computer. Does the other computer have a digital license?
...whaaaat, I remember I was having issues with my key and someone from Microsoft remote accessed my pc and put in a key. I'm not sure if that information helps.
I don't think so, last I remember it had Windows 8 on it.
First you need to find out what key you have OEM or Retail:
Start>Run & enter winver this will give you the OS build.
Then:
Right click on start & choose powershell with admin & enter: slmgr.vbs /dlv to find whether you have OEM or Retail.
If Retail then you should be fine.
You need to ensure that you currently log in to the PC with a Microsoft account to ‘register’ the license with the account. Then on the new PC you would install the same OS version as you currently have, skip entering a key when asked & then log in with the same account details, it should then activate. You may have to choose changed hardware under Windows activation once you’re logged in if it doesn’t automatically activate.
Given that info, I'll assume MS support assumed your system had previously been activated with a Digital License. Once they used the Generic key, according to what version you installed, they should have then asked you to reboot and log into your MS account which should have then recognized your hardware from a previous Digital license.
Not knowing anything about the new computer it' s possible that it already has a embedded key in the bios. If it's a OEM computer and it came with Windows 8.1 it can be updated to Windows 10 for free. If it's OEM and came with Windows 10 you shouldn't need a key. If the Windows 10 key is installed in the bios and you want to move your Windows 10 install to the new computer and both versions are the same (Home or Pro) that shouldn't be a problem. Almost forgot. Before trying to make any changes you should make images of the computers to a external drive first. Most of us here use Macrium Reflect. The free version will do what you need.
Hello @Vellaura,
Just for information purposes . . .
MS offers Win 10 Licenses in many channels governed by different rules, but for most users, you can only acquire a License through theOEM[ Original Equipment Manufacturer ] orRetailchannel.
An OEM License refers to the License that a manufacturer installs on new devices. If this is your case, theProduct KeyisNOTtransferable, and you canNOTuse it toActivateanother installation [ unless you are re-activating a new installation on thesame 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, youCANtransfer theProduct Keytoanother computer, as long as youDEACTIVATEtheProduct Keyon theother computer.
A Volume License is designed for large Businesses, Education, and Government. Usually, a Volume License allows organizations to use one masterProduct KeytoActivateANY installation of Win 10. Although you can use this License multiple times on different computers, you canNOTtransfer it with the device when the system ownership changes, and you areNOTallowed to use the License toActivatedevices that areNOTpart of the Organization.
I hope this helps.
A very useful app to show your Windows product information is ShowKeyPlus. You can install it from the MS Store.
Hello @Vellaura,
Just to add to Winuser's excellent suggestion, here is a list of those that I have used . . .
Retrieve Product Key / Software Keys:
ToRetrieve[ FREE ] anyProduct Keys / License Keysfor any installed software use . . .
> Belarc Advisor - Shows in your browser.
> ShowKeyPlus - Win10.Guru - Toolkit Item.
> Speccy - Download Page.
I hope this helps.
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