News How to Transfer a Windows 10 or 11 License to Another PC

[Admin]

If you're building a new PC, you may be able to use an old Windows key for its OS.

How to Transfer a Windows 10 or 11 License to Another PC : Read more

 

[BTM18]

I have a full retail version of 10 on my old pc. Built new pc. Installed 11. It never asked for key. I now have fully activated 11 on new pc, for free.
Ya sure you need to do any of this?

 

[tennis2]

Removing the old PC from your MS account doesn't prevent a future owner from activating Windows on that license.

 

[Geezer760]

All my windows versions I've paid for were always Full Retail, since windows 7, and I have 4 systems, the oldest being a windows 7-upgraded to 10, windows 8-upgraded to 10, and a retail Win10 home retail, and my newest build win10 pro retail, so I should be able to use that old win7 or any of the other versions full retail keys for an even newer build if i wanted to and retire my oldest 15yr old system with win7 on it. I should hope since all my versions are full retail. I very highly doubt I'd upgrade any of my newer systems to 11, I want a desktop not a phone.

 

[kavincsekaran]

The transfer of digital key in this how-to is basically GARBAGE! DO NOT remove the device from the account until you have activated the key in the new PC by going through the troubleshoot step. I removed the device from the account and I am not able to transfer the key because it is not linked to the account anymore. I am able to see other device options that I haven't removed. Now I am on a call with the support agent trying to retrieve it. DO NOT follow this guide.

 

[TryHard4ever]

Removing the old PC from your MS account doesn't prevent a future owner from activating Windows on that license.

Can you clarify? Explain further in detail, thank you for sharing your experience!

 

[TryHard4ever]

The transfer of digital key in this how-to is basically GARBAGE! DO NOT remove the device from the account until you have activated the key in the new PC by going through the troubleshoot step. I removed the device from the account and I am not able to transfer the key because it is not linked to the account anymore. I am able to see other device options that I haven't removed. Now I am on a call with the support agent trying to retrieve it. DO NOT follow this guide.

Hi sir, thank you for sharing this vital information! Can you clarify your experience in detail again with everything you went through? It may help some new users like me who wants to upgrade to a new CPU/motherboard but is unsure of how to Transfer a Digital Windows 10 or 11 License to Another PC using the correct method . You are saying you can actually transfer the existing digital CD-Key to another new PC (after PC upgrade) without removing the existing digital CD-Key from old device in microsoft account? In other words, using the existing Win cd key in both PC devices (old & new) and go back later in MS account and unlink it from the old device after inputting existing cd-key in the new device (new PC)? Sorry if my words confuse you!

 

[Bulbous Melon]

Hi,
I am about to try this with my digital license. Assuming it works with the new computer, how should I then start up my old computer without creating any conflicts? I would like to install the windows 10 trial version on it.

 

[USAFRet]

Hi,
I am about to try this with my digital license. Assuming it works with the new computer, how should I then start up my old computer without creating any conflicts? I would like to install the windows 10 trial version on it.

1. There is no "trial version" Of Win 10 or 11.

2. Where did your current Win 10 license come from?

3. Is that current Win10 license linked to your Microsoft account?

 

[Bulbous Melon]

1. There is no "trial version" Of Win 10 or 11.

2. Where did your current Win 10 license come from?

3. Is that current Win10 license linked to your Microsoft account?

Thanks for the quick response.

1. I understand there is a free version of win 10 with watermark/ limited features, no? I would use this to basic boot and sell old pc. If not, what are my other options to boot up and show buyers that my old pc is working?

2. On pc when I bought used. verified it's digital thru activation settings and I have the cd key.

3. Yes

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks for the quick response.

1. I understand there is a free version of win 10 with watermark/ limited features, no? I would use this to basic boot and sell old pc. If not, what are my other options to boot up and show buyers that my old pc is working?

2. On pc when I bought used. verified it's digital thru activation settings and I have the cd key.

3. Yes

Its not a different version. Its the same install, just not activated.

Yes, you can install it and leave it unactivated. Let the new owner work out his own licensing.