How to Transfer your Windows 10 License to a New Computer
Depending on the type of Windows 10 license you have installed, you might be able to transfer it to a new computer, if needed. Over the years, Microsoft has distributed its desktop operating system through different market channels. New computers will often have a preinstalled with an OEM license. There are many other channels that Microsoft distributes Windows, and these include; Retail, Volume License, Academic, and subgroups such as Upgrade licenses.
In 2015, Microsoft launched its latest version, Windows 10, offering the operating system to qualifying PC’s and devices running Windows 7 or Windows 8 for free, for a limited time. Microsoft continues to provide Windows 10 as a full retail product for computers without a qualifying license or for people who build PCs.
Determine if your Windows 10 License can be Transferred
Find out what type of license you have installed
Microsoft describes the Windows 10 free upgrade as a full version, not a trial. Contrary to these statements, Windows 10 free upgrade does have some restrictions.
- If you upgraded from a retail copy of Windows 7, Windows 8 or 8.1, the Windows 10 license carries the retail rights from which it was derived.
- If you upgraded from an OEM Windows 7, Windows 8 or 8.1 license, these are licenses that come preinstalled on a new computer from a manufacturer, and then your Windows 10 license maintains the OEM rights.
We discussed these nuances in our Windows 10 editions article; with the release of Windows 10 November Update, 1511, Microsoft made modifications to the channel license. Previously, you could identify the channel from which, the license was derived by issuing a particular Windows command. The November Update, now describes all licenses upgraded, whether full package or OEM as retail. Even though your free upgrade to Windows 10 from an OEM Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 is now identified as retail, in spirit, it is still an OEM license.
This affects the rights to what you can do with the license. If it’s retail, you can continue to make hardware modifications to your system such as changing the motherboard or move it to a different computer. For an OEM version, if you change the motherboard, automatically, your free upgrade will be invalidated; meaning, you will have to purchase a new full retail Windows 10 license.
Remove the License then Transfer to Another Computer
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. Windows 10 does not have a deactivation option. Instead, you have two choices:
- Uninstall the product key – this is the closest to deactivating the Windows License. This method does not inform Microsoft Activation Servers, the license is no longer in use on the machine; it will avoid conflicts down the road if Microsoft Activation Servers were to detect the license in use on more than one system.
- Format the computer – this method ensures the license is no longer in use on the computer. You can use the convenient Reset option in Windows 10 do this.
Uninstall Windows 10 Product Key
Press Windows key + X then click Command Prompt (Admin). At the command prompt, enter the following command: slmgr.vbs /upk.
This command uninstalls the product key, which frees the license for use elsewhere.
You are now free to transfer your license to another computer. Since the release of theNovember Update, Microsoft made it more convenient to activate Windows 10, using just your Windows 8 or Windows 7 product key.
When prompted during setup for a product key, click I don’t have a product key. If you have afull version Windows 10 license bought at a store, you can enter the product key.
Select the Edition You’re Licensed for
Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Windows 8.1 Core: Windows 10 Home
Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, Windows 8.1 Pro: Windows 10 Pro
Windows 10 setup, will prompt you again for a product key during the Out of Box Experience, click Do this later if you are using a Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 product key. If you have a full version Windows 10 license bought at a store, you can enter the product key.
How to Reactivate the License
Once you arrive at the desktop, you will need to re-enter your product key. Press Windows key + X then click Command Prompt (Admin).
At the command prompt, enter the following command: slmgr.vbs /ipk xxxxx- xxxxx- xxxxx- xxxxx- xxxxx. Hit Enter on your keyboard; you will receive a confirmation the product key was updated. Close the command prompt and then proceed to reactivate by telephone or Contact Support.
Because the Windows 10 license was previously in use on another computer, you will need to reactivate by telephone or use Contact Support. Press Windows key + R then type: slui.exe 4then hit Enter on your keyboard.
The activation wizard will launch. Choose your country and click Next.
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.
The agent will verify your product key, then provide a confirmation ID for reactivating Windows 10. Review our article for complete instructions how to get your license reactivated.
A very exhausting procedure, I know, but it works smoothly especially with the new chat support option in Windows 10.
