[SOLVED] Reusing windows 10 product key

[jacob.jolliff23]

What are the limits on reusing a windows 10 key?

 

[clutchc]

What are the limits on reusing a windows 10 key?

Until it's no longer accepted?
It depends on the license you have.

 

[jacob.jolliff23]

If I decide to build another computer could I reuse my product key from my current PC

 

[Barty1884]

You can link your key to a MS account and attempt to reuse if on a new build.

I've had mixed success - once it just 'worked' (after following the troubleshooter)... the second time, I needed MS directly to activate for me, at which point they informed me I've hit a limit on activations. Probably because it was an OEM key originally.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

 

[jacob.jolliff23]

Ok when it says it has been linked, how would i know if its linked to mine because i was given this computer.

 

[Colif]

look here under signing in online
once logged into your account, look on the devices button and click Manage
login again
This shows the devices page. if there is a pc showing on this tab, click Show details, then look on the info and support tab - is this your PC? if so, its likely that its linked to your account.

if no pc listed, licence could be linked to account of people who gave it to you.

If so, they can follow same steps and on the Devices page, click More actions and Remove PC - this will mean the licence is tied to motherboard again. Perhaps not right away, I am not sure how fast that step takes. You will need to go through the steps in Barty's link to link PC to your account and then fresh installing it on new hardware becomes easier.