Upgrading your calculator is exciting. There's nothing improve than unwrapping the box and taking a big gulp of that new computer aroma. Setting up your new computer is the next thing, and transferring your Windows x license to your new computer is a vital part of it.

Then, here'southward how you transfer a Windows 10 license to a new computer.

Tin can Y'all Transfer a Windows x License To a New Computer?

Transferring your Windows x license to a new computer is a great idea. After all, information technology keeps the cost of your new computer downwardly if you don't need a new license. However, whether you tin can make the transfer depends on the type of Windows ten license you're using.

There are iii primary Windows 10 license types:

  • OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer licenses come preinstalled on the hardware you purchase and are linked to the motherboard in the device
  • Retail: You purchase a retail license online and tin transfer the license betwixt different computers
  • Volume: Microsoft issues book licenses in majority to large organizations, such every bit businesses, universities, or governments, and allows a single license fundamental to activate numerous installations

Windows 10 licenses are tied to the system hardware. Specifically, the motherboard. If y'all attempt to transfer a Windows OEM or volume license to a new computer (e.g., with a different motherboard), the Windows license check system will pass up the new hardware.

Whereas, if you take a Windows 10 retail license, you lot can switch to a different computer with a unlike motherboard.

Ane thing that's too important to sympathise is that you can upgrade your hard drive with an OEM or volume license. Swapping out your hard bulldoze for a larger or faster replacement is absolutely fine under the Windows 10 licensing rules.

Furthermore, there are examples of users upgrading their motherboard and continuing to utilize their OEM license, which makes the situation a piddling confusing (read on for more information on this!)

How To Check What Windows x License Type You Have

It'ss highly probable yous have either an OEM or a retail Windows 10 license. Before attempting to transfer your Windows 10 license to another computer, cheque if information technology is possible.

Type control prompt in your Showtime Carte search bar, and open up the Control Prompt app. Now, input the following control:

slmgr -dli

Wait a brief moment for the Windows Script Host window to appear. You'll encounter the Windows 10 license type alongside the Description. It'll clearly land which license type you have, exist that retail, OEM, or book.

There are two ways you tin can transfer your Windows x license to a new computer: entering a product key or using your Microsoft account.

How To Transfer a Windows License Using Your Microsoft Account

Yous can link your Windows 10 license to your Microsoft account. After linking your license to your Microsoft account, you won't have to enter your production central again after reinstalling Windows. Instead, you lot login to your Microsoft account on the fresh Windows ten installation, and information technology validates your license automatically.

To find out if your Windows 10 license and Microsoft account are linked, press Windows Key + I, head to System > Nearly, then select Modify the production fundamental or upgrade your edition of Windows.

If you encounter the same message as in the above picture, your account and license are linked. That means you lot can login to your Microsoft account on your new computer and validate the license without entering a production key.

How To Link Your Windows 10 License And Microsoft Account

If yous don't see the message, you can follow these steps to link your account. Press Windows Key + I, then head to Updates & Security > Activation. Under Add a Microsoft business relationship, select Add an account.

Sign into your Microsoft business relationship using your email address and password. After this, you'll have to sign into Windows using your Microsoft account details (although you can switch back to a local business relationship once you transfer your license).

Subsequently you sign in, Microsoft volition link your Windows x license and your Microsoft account. Click Finish, and yous'll now run across the message confirming the link.

Consummate the Windows License Transfer

After confirming the license and business relationship link, yous can sign into your Microsoft account on your new computer. Microsoft will validate the license via your business relationship, and the transfer is consummate.

Linking Microsoft Account To An OEM License

While your Windows 10 OEM license links to the motherboard in a unmarried piece of hardware, you tin endeavour to transfer the Windows license using the in a higher place method. The procedure is the same, except you lot may see the following error message:

Select Troubleshoot from the bottom of the folio, followed by I changed hardware on this device recently. Y'all'll so accept to sign into your Microsoft account and identify the device you lot are using.

Please note this may not work for every OEM Windows 10 license, as Microsoft is articulate that y'all can merely use an OEM license for 1 installation. This license transfer appears to work primarily when y'all move a hard drive or SSD to a new computer with the Windows installation intact, rather than with a fresh Windows ten installation.

How To Transfer a Windows License Using a Production Key

The second option is the tried and tested selection. Y'all have a Windows 10 license product central purchased online. There are two points where yous can enter your Windows 10 production key, the first of which is during the Windows x installation process:

Alternatively, you can wait until the Windows 10 installation finishes, then enter your fundamental in the Settings panel. Printing Windows Fundamental + I, and then head to Updates & Security > Activation, and then Enter a product primal.

Input your Windows 10 product key, then press Side by side and follow the on-screen instructions.

You Can Transfer Your Windows 10 License

You've seen the two primary methods for transferring a Windows x license to a new computer. Plus, you now know the difference betwixt Windows 10 license types and why certain licenses don't work when you lot attempt to switch them to new hardware.

If you opt for a clean Windows 10 installation, make sure to cheque out how to create a Windows 10 installation USB stick.