Confused about transferability Windows 10 to another PC

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
J

JohnnyGui

Distinguished
Oct 27, 2012
129
0
18,680
Hello guys,

Several threads have been made about this but there are some things I'm still confused about.

A while ago I purchased a built PC without Windows but which came with a separate Windows 8 OEM DVD which I installed on the PC. In the meantime I did a free upgrade to Windows 10.
Now I have bought an new PC for myself, again without Windows.

I read that the OEM version of Windows 8 may be transferred to my new PC, even though it's OEM. Source

However, I read that if you have upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 8 OEM version, then you can not transfer Windows 10 to another PC.
What I don't understand is, if Windows 10 is licensed under my Windows 8 OEM product key, and the Windows 8 OEM key may be transferred, how is it still not possible to transfer Windows 10 (based on that Windows 8 OEM key) to another PC?
 
Solution
Colif
Typical windows helpdesk. They always seem to be the last to know

AS far as I know, all win 7 & 8 PC/laptops that are upgraded to win 10 can be moved. The only win 10 licences that cannot be moved are in Large OEM Brand name PC/laptops that come with win 10 pre installed. So if you had a new Lenova laptop with win 10 on it, it is restricted to that laptop only.

I haven't run into anyone who couldn't move licence after an upgrade.
Sort by date Sort by votes
Upvote 0 Downvote


I'm very surprised by this. Because this source says that it is not possible to transfer a Windows 10 to another PC if you have upgraded to Windows 10 from a Windows 8 OEM license.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


And I refer you to the link from Microsoft.

Link your current system and license to a MS account.
Build the new system
Install the OS
It will be "Unactivated"
This is when you go through the Activation Troubleshooter, and tell it which PC you're using now.

It works. I've done it.

And, from that link you posted...the step regarding "Uninstall Windows 10 Product Key"...that is mostly useless.
It simply tells that particular PC is has no license. It does not phone home to Microsoft and tell it that license is freed for use elsewhere.
So I'd take whatever they say with a grain of salt.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


The source says that even if you delete the license from the old PC, you still can't transfer a Windows 10 that is upgraded from an OEM Window 8 license.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Microsoft and personal experience says otherwise.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Try it.
You have nothing to lose.

If the OS in the new PC cannot be activated as above, you'll have a new PC with an unactivated Win 10 OS.
(which actualy runs just fine)

If you don't try it, you'll have a new PC with an unactivated Win 10 OS.

Same end result.

If you try it and it works (it will), then the OS in your new PC is activated and running.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote




Remarkably, I had a chat with Microsoft support and they say it's not possible.

Also, from the link you posted, it says the following:
If you changed your hardware, and Windows 10 was preinstalled when you bought your PC, then you may need to purchase a new Windows license. Click Go to Store, and follow the instructions.

Not sure what they mean with preinstalled and if I fall under that category.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Preinstalled Win 10. As in, if you buy a new PC today and it came with Win 10.
Not 8.

So the MS person you talked to says it can't be done.
How come they have a whole section on exactly how to do it?
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


OK, I will give it a go.
A few questions just to make sure if I understand you correctly:

1. I do NOT need to deactivate my license on my old PC?
2. During the Windows installation on my new PC, I do NOT have to type in the Windows 8 OEM product key?
3. When Windows is installed on my new PC, I just run the Activation Troubleshooter and put the Wndows 8 OEM product key in there?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


1. Correct
2. Correct. Although that may work as well.
3. I don't think you need to input your old Win 8 license. The details of your current license is stored at MS. In the Troubleshooter, you're simply telling it what hardware that license now applies to.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


In your situation, did you merely change hardware or did you buy a completely new PC? And did you also do a free upgrade from a Windows 8 OEM license?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


It was an all new system.
Going from a Pentium G840 and relevant motherboard, to a i3-8100 and its relevant motherboard.
In Microsoft parlance, the motherboard is a whole new 'system'.

I can't remember the full chain of the OS, but it was probably Win 7 upgraded to Win 8, then 8.1, and then 10. And then the hardware change.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Thanks for the info. I take it the Win 7 was an OEM license?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


I will try it either way but just wanted to say the following. If it was a retail, which you aren't sure about, couldn't it be so that the Microsoft article merely refers to Windows 10 upgarded from an earlier Windows Retail version. Because you may not have a retail version on multiple devices, the article describes how to transfer a retail version after a hardware change.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Nowhere in there does it differentiate between OEM or Retail, and the Upgrade to Win 10. It simply states "you now have a 'digital license' ".
And it was NOT a retail license from the original WIN 7.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Guess what, I contacted Microsoft through chat again explaining the situation with your links as evidence. They connected me to the technical service, they talked to the supervisor, and they are now changing their procedure regarding this because they all had it wrong.

Oh Microsoft...

 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Changing it which way?
IS possible or IS NOT possible?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


It is possible. You were right all along. I had 3 of the Microsoft staff say that it wasn't possible until the last one actually considered to read the articles and contact the supervisor. They are now changing their support protocol regarding this

I was literally about to buy a new Win 10 license if it weren't for me posting here and you replying. Thanks a lot!


 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Good deal!
Often, that type of info does not filter down to the helpdesk drone. They're simply reading off the script they had from 4 years ago.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


Yeah, this is really what surprised me. It's such a pity that they don't verify such important information often. And that's coming from Microsoft itself.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I have been through this exact situation not to long ago.

If you did an upgrade, (and it doesn't matter from OEM or not) as long as you can provide proof that you have the old Windows key (pre windows 10 upgrade) or you have Windows 10 linked to your Windows account. You should be able to transfer.

Microsoft is a pain but if you call and get someone that knows that they are doing. They will activate Windows 10 on your new system and disable it on the old if you can provide proof that I mentioned above.

Sometimes you will get someone that has no idea what they are doing at Microsoft and will send you through the ringer. Hang up and speak to someone else.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Useterms/Retail/Windows/10/UseTerms_Retail_Windows_10_English.htm

And under the Windows 10 license agreement it is accepted. See 4. A and B.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom