Transfer a Windows 10 License–Upgrading your computer is exciting. There’s nothing better than unwrapping the box and taking an enormous gulp of that new computer smell. fixing your new computer is that the next thing, and transferring your Windows 10 license to your new computer may be a vital a part of it.
So, here’s how you transfer a Windows 10 license to a replacement computer.
Can You Transfer a Windows 10 License To a replacement Computer?
Transferring your Windows 10 license to a replacement computer may be a great idea. After all, it keeps the value of your new computer down if you don’t need a replacement license. However, whether you’ll make the transfer depends on the sort of Windows 10 license you’re using.
There are three main Windows 10 license types:
OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer licenses come preinstalled on the hardware you buy and are linked to the motherboard within the device
Retail: you buy a retail license online and may transfer the license between different computers
Volume: Microsoft issues volume licenses in bulk to large organizations, like businesses, universities, or governments, and allows one license key to activate numerous installations
Windows 10 licenses are tied to the system hardware. Specifically, the motherboard. If you plan to transfer a Windows OEM or volume license to a replacement computer (e.g., with a special motherboard), the Windows license check system will reject the new hardware.
Whereas, if you’ve got a Windows 10 retail license, you’ll switch to a special computer with a special motherboard.
One thing that’s also important to know is that you simply can upgrade your disk drive with an o.e.m or volume license. Swapping out your disk drive for a bigger or faster replacement is completely fine under the Windows 10 licensing rules.
Furthermore, there are samples of users upgrading their motherboard and continuing to use their OEM license, which makes things a touch confusing (read on for more information on this!)
How To Check What Windows 10 License Type you’ve got
It’ss highly likely you’ve got either an o.e.m or a retail Windows 10 license. Before attempting to transfer your Windows 10 license to a different computer, check if it’s possible.
Type prompt in your Start Menu search bar, and open the prompt app. Now, input the subsequent command:
slmgr -dli
Wait a quick moment for the Windows Script Host window to seem . You’ll see the Windows 10 license type alongside the outline . It’ll clearly state which license type you’ve got , be that retail, OEM, or volume.
There are two ways you’ll transfer your Windows 10 license to a replacement computer: entering a product key or using your Microsoft account.
How To Transfer a Windows License Using Your Microsoft Account
You can link your Windows 10 license to your Microsoft account. After linking your license to your Microsoft account, you won’t need to enter your product key again after reinstalling Windows. Instead, you login to your Microsoft account on the fresh Windows 10 installation, and it validates your license automatically.
To find out if your Windows 10 license and Microsoft account are linked, press Windows Key + I, head to System > About, then select Change the merchandise key or upgrade your edition of Windows.
Read : How to Delete Backup Files in Windows 10
If you see an equivalent message as within the above picture, your account and license are linked. meaning you’ll login to your Microsoft account on your new computer and validate the license without entering a product key.
How To Link Your Windows 10 License And Microsoft Account
If you don’t see the message, you’ll follow these steps to link your account. Press Windows Key + I, then head to Updates & Security > Activation. Under Add a Microsoft account, select Add an account.
Sign into your Microsoft account using your email address and password. After this, you’ll need to sign into Windows using your Microsoft account details (although you’ll switch back to an area account once you transfer your license).
After you check in , Microsoft will link your Windows 10 license and your Microsoft account. Click Finish, and you’ll now see the message confirming the link.
Complete the Windows License Transfer
After confirming the license and account link, you’ll sign into your Microsoft account on your new computer. Microsoft will validate the license via your account, and therefore the transfer is complete.
Linking Microsoft Account To an o.e.m License
While your Windows 10 OEM license links to the motherboard during a single piece of hardware, you’ll plan to transfer the Windows license using the above method. the method is that the same, except you’ll encounter the subsequent error message:
Select Troubleshoot from rock bottom of the page, followed by I changed hardware on this device recently. You’ll then need to sign into your Microsoft account and identify the device you’re using.
Please note this might not work for each OEM Windows 10 license, as Microsoft is obvious that you simply can only use an o.e.m license for one installation. This license transfer appears to figure primarily once you move a tough drive or SSD to a replacement computer with the Windows installation intact, instead of with a fresh Windows 10 installation.
How To Transfer a Windows License employing a Product Key
The second option is that the tried and tested option. you’ve got a Windows 10 license product key purchased online. There are two points where you’ll enter your Windows 10 product key, the primary of which is during the Windows 10 installation process:
Alternatively, you’ll wait until the Windows 10 installation finishes, then enter your key within the Settings panel. Press Windows Key + I, then head to Updates & Security > Activation, then Enter a product key.
Input your Windows 10 product key, then press Next and follow the on-screen instructions.
You Can Transfer Your Windows 10 License
You’ve seen the 2 primary methods for transferring a Windows 10 license to a replacement computer. Plus, you now know the difference between Windows 10 license types and why certain licenses don’t work once you plan to switch them to new hardware.
If you decide for a clean Windows 10 installation, confirm to see out the way to create a Windows 10 installation USB stick.
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