Windows Activated without a key being entered

So what's this about.

I have transferred my Windows 10 Pro digital licence from my old laptop to a new laptop. This was upgraded (MS 2016 free upgrade) from a purchased RETAIL copy of Win 7 Pro (I used the Windows 7 Pro key during installation).

Prior to passing the old laptop onto someone else I have formatted and reinstalled Windows 10 HOME fully expecting that it would remain inactivated until such time as the new owner bought a licence.

I chose to skip entering a licence key during installation.

Will this automatic digital licencing on the old laptop in any way compromise my transferred digital licence on the new laptop?

Thanks in advance.

Nope.

You gave up your Win 7 license for the old install. That system now has your Free upgrade from Win 7.

Since you cannot now do a free upgrade, the Win 7 license in no longer relevant.

Its a bit like simple maths:

Old laptop 1 OEM Windows 7 home (basic or premium) license + 1 retail Windows 7 Pro
upgraded to windows 10 Pro = 2 licenses - 1 windows 10 Pro (retail by virtue of upgrade) transferred to another machine = 1 license upgraded to (OEM by virtue of upgrade) windows 10 home non-transferable, except with the original hardware

New laptop ( assumed 1 OEM Windows 10 home license ) + 1 (retail) Windows 10 Pro transferred from old laptop = 2 licenses, 1 (potentially transferable) Pro license +1 latent OEM home license (non-transferable)

Totally confused! Can I pass on the old laptop with the Windows 10 Home activated without fear that his will in any way compromise my win 10 pro digital licence on the new machine?

Fafhrd said:

Its a bit like simple maths:

Old laptop 1 OEM Windows 7 home (basic or premium) license + 1 retail Windows 7 Pro
upgraded to windows 10 Pro = 2 licenses - 1 windows 10 Pro (retail by virtue of upgrade) transferred to another machine = 1 license upgraded to (OEM by virtue of upgrade) windows 10 home non-transferable, except with the original hardware

My old laptop did not come with a win 7 OEM licence. It came with XP OEM. I bought a Win7 Pro RETAIL. Then I upgraded to Win10 Pro (free MS upgrade) which I have now transferred to the new machine.

Fafhrd said:

New laptop ( assumed 1 OEM Windows 10 home license ) + 1 (retail) Windows 10 Pro transferred from old laptop = 2 licenses, 1 (potentially transferable) Pro license +1 latent OEM home license (non-transferable)

As you say, I assume the new laptop cam with a Win10 Home OEM licence.

But that still does not explain for me why the Win10 Home activated with digital licence on the old machine which never came with an O/S that was upgradable to Win10.

How did you transfer your Digital License to the new machine? Was it done during the free upgrade period?

If the prior install does mess with your current activation status, you should be able to purchase a Win 10 license and change the License key to get it working or perhaps call Microsoft. Not sure anyone will be able to give you a definite answer.

kevvyb said:

Totally confused! Can I pass on the old laptop with the Windows 10 Home activated without fear that his will in any way compromise my win 10 pro digital licence on the new machine?

The short and simple answer is yes you can, don't worry about it.