The whole thing seems rather confusing, and unnecessarily so. Can you please, lemme know is it possible for me to use the windows 8.1 pro key that i received from microsoft store via email to activate windows 10 pro clean install on the macbook pro. I think what you are looking for is the Recovery Drive method. you may have some of your questions answered: https://www.asus.com/us/Mini-PCs/VivoMini_UN62/HelpDesk/. Once you have it created, stick the USB stick into the computer you want to install with Windows 10 and boot from the USB stick, the rest just follow the prompts…its pretty easy. The dialog also displays the partial version of your Windows 10 license key. Can I use my OEM Windows 7 on it? Press Windows key + R then type: slui.exe 4 then hit Enter on your keyboard. So, I have to find out from activated windows 10. After upgrading, proceed to enter the Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate or Windows 8 Pro product key. That is no longer the case with the November Update. Can I use that cd and key to Install windows 10 on my other laptop ? Do I need to uninstall windows 10 pro key from old pc first and then use the easy upgrade feature from within windows 10 home on new pc? Windows 10 Digital License Transfer in Windows Updates and Activation I have been reading a few of the older threads but thought it might be better to open a new thread. Later, Windows 10 will automatically activate itself after connecting to Microsoft servers. Point of clarification please: Has this been vetted and confirmed? -You can upgrade your cpu (if it fits) with no problems, right? When Windows 10 is activated for the first time, that device gets a valid digital license for the activated edition, for the lifetime of that device. Unfortunately, currently, I do not have licence in hand. About Windows 10. 1. If you have a Windows 10 Pro key, but Windows 10 Home installed, you’ll just run into an error about non-core Windows. The good news is, it’s possible to deactivate a PC you no longer intend to use, then transfer that license to a new computer. Beginning with at least Win 7 (I never worked with Vista, so can’t speak to that OS), an OEM version could still be installed and activated on any machine from the same vendor ONLY IF said machine came with Win 7 in the first place. I have a retail license on my old PC. Do i need to contact supp at all? If your Windows 10 license came pre-installed on older device from the OEM, you can’t transfer it because that license will only work on that older device only. I bought windows 10 for free since I’m a student, its offered by my school, would it sill count as. 1. Also, the command prompt doesn’t work for me when I type in the command it says it is not recognized as a internal or external command, operable program. Deactivate Windows 10 from old setup To remove the product key on Windows 10, use these steps: The problem is Alpha has a better drive than Gamma (1TB SSD vs 256GB SSD) and I want to swap them without having to wipe or reinstall anything. Depending on the type of Windows 10 license you have installed, you might be able to transfer it to a new computer if needed. Can you transfer Windows 10 license to new computer?. Click Start. If you bought a Windows 10 license from Microsoft to use on a specific device, then you can transfer your key and use it on another PC. If it came preinstalled with the machine from the factory, the answer is no. Although when you get a new device, it usually comes with a copy of Windows 10 preloaded and activated, it's not the case when building a custom system. On your old computer, press the Windows key and X, then choose Command Prompt (Admin) from the list that pops up. In this short guide we will explain how move your original Windows 10 license. I’m going to say no Joanna. Yeet, Goto the WIndows creation media web page here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 Click the download tool now button and install the tool. Unfortunately Beta couldn’t upgrade to Win10 because of an incompatible or unsupported video card/driver and missed the free upgrade window. Microsoft has left a way for users with accessibility issues to upgrade. Download and run the tool. https://www.groovypost.com/howto/find-windows-product-key-after-upgrading-windows-10/. I’m assuming I can do it whenever I like as I have already associated my key with Windows 10, but wanted to be sure. Since we launched in 2006, our articles have been read more than 1 billion times. This affects the rights to what you can do with the license. Note that if you use a Pro key and to activate an installed copy of Windows 10 Home, using this method will upgrade to Pro automatically. So you cannot a spare key to perform a new installation. Software License Manager opens a prompt telling about your license. Perhaps – Read this article to review the details: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/download-windows-10-free/. I bought windows 8 pro dvd (retail license). I had a old windows 7 pro key. Before you get started, make sure you have your Windows Key saved somewhere. How to Transfer Windows 10 Product Key to New Computer . You’ll see your Validation Status, Product Key, and importantly, Product ID Type. This was a refurbished laptop so I don’t know the answer to that question. I have a 10-year-old computer that came with Win7 Pro, then got the free upgrade to Win10 Home. I’m trying to follow these steps but I’m not having much luck. Okay awesome it says retail channel on the script host and nothing about oem in the product key/id. To move a full Windows 10 license, or the free upgrade from a retail version of Windows 7 or 8.1, the license can no longer be in active use on a PC. In 2015, Microsoft launched its latest version, Windows 10, offering the operating system to qualifying PCs and devices running Windows 7 or Windows 8 for free, for a limited time. Otherwise, you’ll have to take some extra steps. My current laptop came with Vista Home Premium OEM which I subsequently upgraded to Windows 8 Pro when it was first released for a special upgrade offer of just £24.99. To make things easier, I divided the guide into two sections. If your Windows 10 license key is retail, you will see “RETAIL” in the Description field. The information there is pretty close to english. So I was able to activate by Education key on a 3rd machine. Windows licenses are expensive. You purchased another PC. You are now free to transfer your license to another computer. if so will it mess up windows on his laptop? I am going to buy a new PC with all new hardware in July, however I may have to wait until August, which is after the July 29 Windows 10 upgrade deadline. To activate using  slmgr , open an elevated Command Prompt and run the following command: Just replace the #####-#####-#####-#####-##### with your key. The OEM media can be used to install onto another computer that has an OEM license that matches the one required to activate that OEM version. What I was gonna do was, Take the toolkit on the Microsoft site and load it on a USB. The November Update now describes all licenses upgraded, whether full package or OEM as retail. Gamma has better specs than Alpha or Beta. On the disk partition there is Windows 7, so I assume it was upgraded from Windows 7. Just press the Windows key+S. As long as the SINGLE LICENSE is never used in 2 places simultaneously then you are abiding by the agreement and not subject to criminal prosecution or civil suit. Hence, new device, new license you need. As I know that the free upgrade program will expire after July. I then upgraded that to Win 10 Pro. Press Windows key + X I would guess that if you opt to do it later you can do as I described above. That is basically the discussion you are having here. Anyone know more about this? Is it possible for me to transfer my licence to new laptop ?? My situation is the following: i`m getting new CPU / MB and ram…but i`ll use my ssd i have licenced and activated free upgrade windows 10 from 8.1. For the installation ID do we use the one in the screenshot if not how do I access the installation id? Windows Vista went RTM November 15th 2006, but did reach shelves until January 31st 2007. Microsoft has always created a RETAIL VERSION OF MOST OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE. The above article may contain affiliate links, which help support How-To Geek. Use show key plus to try finding the original product key: Actually, the installation itself works, but it will never activate. The free upgrade ended last July, but is still available if you go via Microsoft’s Assistive Technology free upgrade page. Then, right-click on the “Command Prompt” and click on the “Run as administrator“. My laptop came new with an OEM Windows 7. Click Start > Settings > Update & security > Activation > Change the product key. I now want to upgrade my motherboard. This command uninstalls the product key, which frees the license for use elsewhere. The laptop is getting old now and I am thinking to buy new machine (laptop or assembled PC). Thank you. i pursashed windows 10 pro last september. I had a Windows 10 Pro digital license linked to my microsoft ID. Hi there, I am at a point of wanting to upgrade from windows 10 home to windows 10 pro. Windows 10 is the most secure Windows ever. Now, it is showing that he has digital license linked to his microsft ID. Besides, if you free upgraded Windows 7 and 8.1 to Windows 10, a non-transferable OEM license still maintains on your machine. Just like you can steal your neighbor’s car if the keys are there and if you were to go someplace where you could not be found or changed the identification on the car you might live your whole life with that stolen car, it would never be your car and you are a thief regardless of if you get caught. How to Transfer a Windows 10 License to another Computer. How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/genuine/business, I would also recommend you check the Volume License Advisor page: However, if anything goes wrong, I’ll just grind through a reinstall of 8.1 update, upgrade to 10, and then clean install 10 again. The new XP installation would activate and be completely legal. Are there command line tool (like slmgr.vbs) to see the installed licence? To do so,... 3. Now I want to transfer this licence to my new notebook. Am I right Andre? You only have to remove the license from the previous machine and then apply the same key on the new computer. Gamma is a custom built PC that originally had Win7 then did the free upgrade to Win10. Thank you for your quick response and clarification. Gerald, I’m super computer savvy so bear with me. If one has purchased a retail license of Windows 10, then one can transfer the product key to another device. If I uninstall that key, can I replace it with a retail key directly, or will I be required to do a clean install? I was now forced to purchase a desktop and this comes with preinstalled win 8.1. The Microsoft tool will build a bootable USB stick with ALL version of Windows 10 (Home, Pro Etc). Windows XP has Serial Numbers. That is, switch to a local account and then delete the computer entry from your Microsoft account. If you purchased an “upgrade” to windows 10 pro, that consumed your home license. It originally came with Vista but I wiped it and clean installed Win7 Pro, then did the free upgrade to Win10, then after activation wiped it clean and reinstalled Win10 again from scratch. http://mla.microsoft.com/. If your Windows 10 license came pre-installed on older device from the OEM, you can’t transfer it because that license will only work on that older device only. From what i heard is the win 10 pro key is tied with your ms account? It’s nowhere below the laptop or written anywhere on the box. This is a very simple process to completely remove any traces of the Windows 10 license key from your system. Is is true and will the possibility for end of support free upgrade program affect this auto activation process? To unlink Windows 10 license, you have to perform two major steps. Please note, this works from a clean install stand point, but if you want to transfer the license to a running computer running an existing version of Windows that is not activated, you will have to run the classic installer. If so, how do I do it? Essentially one could obtain a Windows 10 license only through two channels, comprising a Retail and an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). So definitely I am not going to use current Windows 8.1 license on that laptop. How can he transfer the license to this new machine since he is unable to “deactivate” it on his old machine? done it lots of times for may years on may different pc’s that i repaired for a certain company. Deactivate Windows 10 from old setup. Windows 10 is currently activated by digital license via free upgrade on my current system. It pairs a specific license key with your computer hardware. I bought a Windows 8 Pro Upgrade Version key online and upgraded to Windows 8, then 8.1. The old laptop would be reloaded with Linux. This won’t work for OEM keys, which are keys that came with a computer you bought in a store. Hi Andre, I just wanted to let you know that I didn’t even have to enter the product key or contact support to reactivate the license. Windows 7 was released to manufacturing in July 2009, but did not reach shelves until October 2009. About Windows 10. You will need to purchase a new Pro Pack under Windows 10 Home. Call the number on the Activation screen or launch Contact Support then explain your situation to the Microsoft Answer Tech; provide the Installation ID on screen. Software License Manager opens a prompt telling about your license. There are many other channels Microsoft distributes Windows in, these include Retail, Volume License, Academic, and subgroups such as Upgrade licenses. To deactivate your old PC, you’ll need to open an elevated Command Prompt. You may transfer the license to use the software directly to another user, only with the licensed device. Can I deactivate the Pro Pack on the old laptop and use that product key to upgrade my new laptop to 10 Pro using the Pro Pack? Does anyone know what the issue is and how I can successfully transfer the license from my old pc to my new pc? Now I would like to replace/upgrade the hard drives on that PC. Can it be turned back to Windows 7 Professional? The transfer must include the software and, if provided with the device, an authentic Windows label including the product key. I actually was able to speak with a Microsoft agent in the licensing department between my time posting this and getting the response. Thanks. I have an old as dirt Dell Inspiron that came with OEM Windows Vista. Now I have two questions: 1. He’s also a smarthome enthusiast who built his own smart mirror with just a frame, some electronics, a Raspberry Pi, and open-source code. But if you upgrade your motherboard, does that count as a ‘new computer?’ Do I understand this right?? Hi Andre, any updates on this query? Method 2: Associate your license with your account instead of the hardware. After July 29th, the license will be attached to the machine permanently. Which License is Transferable We know that Microsoft likes to complicate things. At the command prompt, enter the following command: slmgr.vbs /upk. I bought Windows 10 for my new PC build, no other version of Windows was on this new PC. You only have to remove the license from the previous machine and then apply the same key on the new computer. If you are unable to find it using Show Key Plus, then you likely will need to purchase a new license unfortunately. The other option is to enter the key from the command prompt, press Windows key + X then click Command Prompt (Admin). Now, I will build my new PC and give it a try. According to him, the transfer is acceptable. Is this correct? We use cookies for analytics, ads and session management. When you have a computer with a retail license of Windows 10, you can transfer the product key to a new device. Browse the Windows 10 install media, open the Sources folder then double Setup.exe. Then click on the “Run as administrator” option to the right. I have a new laptop with Win 10 Home on it. To remove the product key on Windows 10, use these steps: Open Start. So those are some key points to keep in mind before transferring a Windows 10 license. i have no way to “close” my serial from that old computer because: a) it doesnt turn on anymore (bios problem), b) the ssd i had on it is placed on my new laptop, c) backup flashdrive has formated by accident (expecting it to be the hdd on line command…). Activating that license is easier than ever in Windows 10’s Anniversary Update. It is perfectly legal to install Microsoft software onto any computer at any time. It's cheaper because it doesn't include a license to use Windows :) If laptop_b does not have a Windows license attached/assigned, then the Windows Education product (which is an *upgrade*) is not qualified. They created a way to reduce the purchase of a new computer. Select Command Prompt (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin) from the list. Then I tried to add the product key to my new pc, but it said the key is activated or tied to my old pc. You can not transfer your Digital Entitlement to a new system. How to transfer Windows 10 license to another device. The free Windows 10 license you receive is tied to your PC’s hardware.