[SOLVED] Move Retail Windows 10 to new PC BUILD

[sdph536]

I have a retail version of Windows 10 installed on an SSD on my 11 year old Dell Studio. I bought this from Microsoft back in March of 2018.

I have now purchased all of the necessary parts to build out a new machine and would like to know the best way for transferring the license to the new machine.

I don't intend on keeping the old machine but am always nervous about this type of move to a new machine and then forgetting something on the old PC - files, settings for programs, etc.

Does moving the license make the old machine inoperable ?

What is the ideal way to move it and get it up on the new machine - the new machine does not have an optical drive.

 

[logainofhades]

You will want to do a fresh install, on the new system. You can do the install, via an 8-16gb USB drive, using Window Media creation tool. Just input your current product key, when prompted. If that SSD is staying with your Dell, I would format it, and do a fresh install, as well. You can either enter the Win 7 key, if it had one, or just skip the product key altogether, and it will run Win 10 unlicensed.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

[sdph536]

You will want to do a fresh install, on the new system. You can do the install, via an 8-16gb USB drive, using Window Media creation tool. Just input your current product key, when prompted. If that SSD is staying with your Dell, I would format it, and do a fresh install, as well. You can either enter the Win 7 key, if it had one, or just skip the product key altogether, and it will run Win 10 unlicensed.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

I have the flash drive all ready to go - I am curious how I disassociate the windows key from the old machine so that it can be on the new machine as a licensed version ?

 

[USAFRet]

I have the flash drive all ready to go - I am curious how I disassociate the windows key from the old machine so that it can be on the new machine as a licensed version ?

For the OS activation, read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

Windows build 1607 and Activation

So, the Anniversary release is out, and many people have updated their machines. Interesting changes with activation and hardware changes. Specifically, the Activation troubleshooter: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20527/windows-... You must link your OS license with your MS account...

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The old system will then have no OS license. Win 10 can be run Unactivated, but you will have an often appearing watermark at bottom right.

Then:

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

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