Buying new computer. Can I find my current serial number and use it?


  1. Hoggorm
    Posts : 195
    Windows 10
       New #1

    Buying new computer. Can I find my current serial number and use it?


    Hello,

    Is there a way to see what serial key my computer uses, and find out if it can be used on my new computer?

    I have three computers. Two running Windows 10 Pro, the third Windows 10 Home. I know at least one was upgraded from a Windows 7. One I know is a retail and the third I really can't remember if it is OEM, retail, upgraded or what...

    For some reason I only have one serial written down, but I am sure I have reinstalled windows 10 several times on all three computers.

    I would like to deactivate windows on one of the three computers and transfer it to the new one, but how can I be sure it is possible?

    Thank you
      My Computer
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  3. dalchina
    Posts : 42,943
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #2

    Retail licenses are definitely transferable, whilst there is a kind of debate about what were originally OEM licenses but moved to the retail channel when upgrade to Win 10.

    This is easiest if the digital activation of Win 10 is linked to your MS live id.

    License numbers, other than if you actually purchased a Win 10 license, are essentially redundant as the activation of your PC is held against a form of your PC's hardware id on MS activation servers.

    Tutorials (see the Tutorial section, search for activation, license, follow - I will do some of the searching for you.

    Link Microsoft Account to Windows 10 Digital License
    Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10
    Activate Windows 10

    If you wish to get information about your current PC, then, as ever, the useful freeware by member Superfly, Showkeyplus (just Google) could be useful.
      My Computers
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  4. Hoggorm
    Posts : 195
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    I used ShowKeyPlus on my three computers with these results.

    Can you tell if I will, or not will, be able to use any or all of these Serials on my new computer? I understand I can deactivate a serial and the computer will still work? What is the limitations on this? No new updates perhaps?

    Computer 1
    Buying new computer. Can I find my current serial number and use it?-skjermbilde-2021-04-10-15.36.58.png

    Computer 2
    Buying new computer. Can I find my current serial number and use it?-skjermbilde-2021-04-10-12.41.40.png

    Computer 3
    Buying new computer. Can I find my current serial number and use it?-skjermbilde-2021-04-10-12.41.50.png
      My Computer
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  6. dalchina
    Posts : 42,943
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #4

    Thank you very much for replying.


    If you read this tutorial you may understand more:
    Find Product Key in Windows 10

    Note that tutorials have links to further tutorials below the main text.

    More:
    Windows 10 Mobile Insider Update 10586.71 Available Now
    How to transfer a Windows 10 license to a new PC or hard drive | Windows Central
    Uninstall Product Key and Deactivate Windows 10
    Last edited by dalchina; 10 Apr 2021 at 09:49.
      My Computers
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  7. Hoggorm
    Posts : 195
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    Thank you dalchina!
      My Computer
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  8. dalchina
    Posts : 42,943
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #6

    It can be a complicated area- linking to an MS live id is a good idea.. and the fallback to all is a call to the MS Regional Activation centre.
      My Computers
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  9. NavyLCDR
    Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       New #7

    Did you notice that your two Windows 10 Pro product Keys are the same? VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

    And your Windows 10 Home product key is probably YTMG3-N6DKC-DKB77-7M9GH-8HVX7

    Also it violates the Windows 10 End User License Agreement to use Windows 10 if it is not activated.
      My Computer
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