If you can only use W10 on one PC at a time. Do I just format my old HDD with windows on?

[mikailsoez]

I want to install W10 on my SSD on my new PC, I read that you're only allowed to use your windows on one PC at a time. So do I just remove W10 from my HDD that's in my new old PC?

 

[USAFRet]

I want to install W10 on my SSD on my new PC, I read that you're only allowed to use your windows on one PC at a time. So do I just remove W10 from my HDD that's in my new old PC?

For the licensing of your existing OS:
Read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

For the old drive, a simple "format" is not enough. That misses the original boot partitions.
You need to do a /clean with diskpart at the commandline.


Lastly, when you install the OS on your new drive, have ONLY that new drive connected. Reconnect any other drives later.
http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-3567655/clean-installation-windows.html

 

[Karadjgne]

Also depends on the old pc and new pc. If the old pc was a store bought pre-built pc like Dell or HP, chances are very good the license won't transfer as the license is tied to the motherboard, basically proprietary. If you bought a win10 copy/key, that's different and you are free to move the license as long as you go to Microsoft, unregister the key that belongs to the old pc, then re-register the new pc.

 

[mikailsoez]

Also depends on the old pc and new pc. If the old pc was a store bought pre-built pc like Dell or HP, chances are very good the license won't transfer as the license is tied to the motherboard, basically proprietary. If you bought a win10 copy/key, that's different and you are free to move the license as long as you go to Microsoft, unregister the key that belongs to the old pc, then re-register the new pc.

So I should do as this guide says? I bought a win10 copy indeed.
https://www.howtogeek.com/124286/how-to-uninstall-your-windows-product-key-before-you-sell-your-pc/

 

[USAFRet]

So I should do as this guide says? I bought a win10 copy indeed.
https://www.howtogeek.com/124286/how-to-uninstall-your-windows-product-key-before-you-sell-your-pc/

No, that has no real purpose, unless you're selling the system.
All that does is tell that particular hardware it has no license. It does NOT phone home and tell the activation servers anything.

Read my links above.