How to transfer a product key to a new PC on Windows 10 Also, if you upgraded to Windows 10 Pro from Windows 10 Home purchasing the upgrade through the Microsoft Store, then you can transfer the license to a new computer because the product key will be converted into a digital license linked to your Microsoft account. In this case, the product key isn't transferable, and you are not allowed to use it to activate another device. If you have a device that came pre-installed with Windows 10, like some of the best Windows laptops (for example, Surface Laptop 3 and Dell XPS 13), then you are dealing with an 'OEM' license. However, sometimes, you may come across activation errors, which you may not be able to resolve until you contact Microsoft support and explain the problem. Typically, there is no limit on the times you can transfer a license as long as you properly deactivate the previous setup. If you are upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 with a retail copy, you are also allowed to move the product key to another computer. In the case that you have obtained a Retail license of Windows 10, then you are entitled to transfer the product key to another device. How to determine if you can transfer a product key on Windows 10Īlthough Microsoft uses different channels to distribute licenses of Windows 10, consumers can only obtain a license through two channels, including Retail and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

How to transfer a product key to a new PC on Windows 10.

How to determine if you can transfer a product key on Windows 10.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to transfer a product license key to a new computer. Regardless of the reason, you are entitled to transfer a Windows 10 license to another computer under the Microsoft rules, but it'll always depend on how the original license was obtained. The ability to transfer an existing license is not only a cost-saving approach, but it also comes in handy when you are planning to sell the computer and retain the product key, or you want to reuse the license to activate a virtual machine. However, if the new build is meant to replace an old system, you may be able to transfer the Windows 10 product key to the new computer to save some money. If you decide to get the parts and build the device yourself, you also need to provide a license of Windows 10, which could cost a few hundred dollars depending on the edition. 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.

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