You might find this article entitled "Disadvantages and Limitations of using Unactivated Windows 10/11" interesting:-
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/disadvantages-and-limitations-of-unactivated-windows
Remember, the 25 alpha-numeric key used to activate Windows does not necessarily constitute a valid license to use the operating system. If the key was fraudulently obtained or mis-sold, despite unlocking and activating Windows, you will still be in breach of Microsoft's Terms and Conditions, because you do not own the license associated with that activation key. In effect, the license still belongs to someone else, not you.
Microsoft's Generic Installation keys can be used to install Windows, but I stress these keys do NOT actually activate Windows. They are Installation keys, not Activation keys. Subtle difference. Instead, Windows remains deactivated and unlicensed, but usable. Generic keys can be used by IT staff, to build images for deployment to hundreds of identical computers, which are then activated with a Volume License, or by individual Licenses.
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/generic-windows-10-product-keys-to-install-windows-10-enterprise
According to this article, you can continue to use a copy of Windows that has not been activated and does not have a valid license, but there are disadvantages.
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-long-can-you-use-windows-10-without-activation
Next there's the thorny question as to whether or not a super cheap $12 Windows 10/11 Pro activation key purchased from a dubious source is as "kosher" as a $199 key + license purchased on Amazon. Chances are the $12 key is a Volume License or Educational License that's been split and resold, infringing Microsoft's T's and C's.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/is-your-windows-license-legal-should-you-even-care/
Given these hurdles, it is possible to move Windows SSDs around machines, including from Intel to AMD, or AMD to Intel. Although not recommended (a new OS build per computer is best), the OS will detect new hardware at boot up and attempt to install the new drivers. It might need to access the world wide web to download a new graphics driver, but you generally end up with a working machine (with a few caveats). Whether or not all new detected hardware will function properly, is in the lap of the gods.
This is similar to creating a bootable Windows operating system on a USB memory stick.
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/create-a-windows-to-go-version-of-windows-11
https://www.techspot.com/downloads/6475-wintousb.html
The USB memory stick can be used to boot up into Windows on different machines, if you can change the boot order to USB first. Each time a new machine is detected, Windows loads the appropriate drivers from USB.
Windows Installation, Activation and Licensing are three separate terms and even Microsoft employees can't always tell the difference, giving conflicting advice. It's a minefield of legal arguments with proponents on each side, all of whom are 100% sure they're "correct".
I am not condoning the use of suspiciously cheap $12 Activation keys that probably don't include a valid License. Nor am I condoning the use of entirely free KMS hacks. As for Generic Installation keys, I leave the legitimacy of their use at home to the legal fraternity
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