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If you plan to upgrade to a new computer, depending on the type of Windows 10 license you have installed, you may be able to transfer your Windows license to the new computer.
New computers often come with a brand new Win 10 OEM license, but sometimes it is possible to get a new computer without a license for less money and transfer the license from the old computer. Savings!
How to move Windows 10 to a new computer!
1. to check if your Windows 10 license is transferable
First determine which license you have installed.
If you bought Windows 10, either by pre-installing it on your computer or by buying a boxed copy, then you’re ready to go: Your license can be transferred to your new computer.
However, if you are upgraded to 10 from Windows 7, 8 or 8.1, there are some limitations:
- If you have upgraded a retail copy of Windows 7, Windows 8 or 8.1, your Windows 10 license has the same rights as the Windows 10 license from which it was derived.
- If you have upgraded to Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 from an OEM license (i.e. pre-installed on your computer), your license has OEM rights.
This affects what you can do with the license. For example, if it’s a retail license, you can make hardware changes to the system for as long as you like. For example, change the motherboard or move it to another computer.
With the OEM version, however, the license is tied to a specific computer and hardware, so unfortunately you will have to purchase a new full version of Windows 10.
2. Removal of a license for transfer to another computer
To transfer a retail license from Windows 10 or a free upgrade to a retail version of Windows 7 or 8.1, your existing license no longer needs to be active on your PC.
Microsoft does not offer deactivation in any version of Windows. Instead, you have two options:
- Removing the product key is the easiest way to deactivate a license in Windows. However, this method does not inform Microsoft’s activation servers that the license is no longer applied to a particular machine and is therefore not recommended. You avoid future conflicts when Microsoft’s activation servers know that your license is no longer in use.
- Formatting the computer is the option we recommend because it ensures that the activation servers know that the license is no longer being used on the computer. To do this, however, you must erase everything on your computer. (Make sure your data is stored in a safe place). For this you can use the handy reset option in Windows 10. Make sure you back up your data and use the reset option before proceeding.
To remove the Windows 10 product key from your current computer after resetting Windows 10
- Press Windows + X and click Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- Enter the following command on the command line: slmgr.vbs /upk
This command removes the product key, releasing the license or product key for use on another computer.
You can now transfer your license to another computer. You can’t just activate it with your Windows 8 or Windows 7 product code – read on to find out what to do.
If you are prompted to enter the product key when installing Windows on a new computer, click I don’t have a product key. You can only enter the product key if you have purchased the full version of Windows 10 (license/key) in the store.
Select the edition for which you have a license:
If you have a license for Windows 10 Home or Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium or Windows 8.1 Core : Select Windows 10 Home.
If you have a license for Windows 10 Pro or Windows 7 Pro, Ultimate or Windows 8.1 Pro : Choose Windows 10 Pro
When you install Windows 10, you will be prompted again to enter a product key during the Out of Box experience. Click Run Later if you are using a Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 product key to activate Windows 10.
If you purchased a full version license for Windows 10 at the store, you can enter the product code to activate it.
License Activation
Once you’re on the desktop screen, it’s time to enter the key.
- Press Windows + X and click Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- Enter the following command in the command line :
slmgr.vbs /ipk xxxxx- xxxxx- xxxxxxx- xxxxxxx- xxxxxx.
- Pay attention: Replace x with the product key.
- Press the Enter key on the keypad; you will receive a confirmation that the product key has been updated.
- Close the command line and then activate it again by phone or via support.
Since the Windows 10 license we want to use has already been used on another computer, you will need to reactivate it by calling or contact support.
- Press the Windows + R key and type: slui.exe 4
- Then press the Enter key on the keyboard.
You will now receive the Activation Wizard. Select your country and click Next.
Call the number displayed on the activation screen or call support to explain the situation to a Microsoft Answering Specialist over the phone; he or she will ask you for the installation ID displayed on the screen and will help you perform a new activation.
The agent checks your product key and then provides a confirmation ID to reactivate Windows 10.
After a few recent updates, Microsoft’s support service is much smoother in most countries: especially the chat support option.
And here’s how to transfer your Windows 10 license to a new computer! If you have any questions or comments, please respond below.
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