Migrating a Windows license :: Hardware and Operating Systems

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Aleddra 13 Jul @ 6:14pm

Migrating a Windows license

I'm almost done building a new computer. I'll want to move my Windows license to the new one, but i'm not sure how that's done. Do i... Just install Windows and it works?

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Originally posted by Liquid Inc:

Originally posted by Aleddra:
No, it's a license bound to my Microsoft account..

If it's licence bound to your MS account, then all you have to do is log in to it when you install the OS on the new PC.
It'll do the rest automatically.

Worst case scenario, you have to remove the previous PC from your account to add the new one, but that's a simple thing to do, and can be done on the new PC.

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Showing 1-9 of 9 comments

Jaunitta 🌸 13 Jul @ 6:44pm

Your original liscence COA Certificate of Authentication ( sticker) is tied to the motherboard and hardware, so long as the new is not modified too much it may work. Use the sticker .
The number is located in the properties of This PC Product ID. if you want write it down.

HypersleepyNaputunia 13 Jul @ 7:01pm

Sometimes you make micro account on old computer, and login with same account on new. Might still work.

Bad 💀 Motha 13 Jul @ 10:10pm

You are doing a clean install on the new PC?

What are you doing with regards to the old PC and it's OS?

Which OS is on the old PC?

Last edited by Bad 💀 Motha; 13 Jul @ 10:10pm

Pocahawtness 13 Jul @ 10:44pm

Originally posted by Aleddra:
I'm almost done building a new computer. I'll want to move my Windows license to the new one, but i'm not sure how that's done. Do i... Just install Windows and it works?

The simplest way is to just put the old C: drive in the new PC. Windows will sort itself out. Once it's done that, then you can replace the old C: drive by cloning it in the PC.

Last edited by Pocahawtness; 13 Jul @ 10:45pm

Bad 💀 Motha 13 Jul @ 10:47pm

Originally posted by Pocahawtness:
Originally posted by Aleddra:
I'm almost done building a new computer. I'll want to move my Windows license to the new one, but i'm not sure how that's done. Do i... Just install Windows and it works?

The simplest way is to just put the old C: drive in the new PC. Windows will sort itself out. Once it's done that, then you can replace the old C: drive by cloning it in the PC.

That's why I asked the questions I did above. In case the person is expecting to be able to still use the old PC with the same product key.

smokerob79 13 Jul @ 11:05pm

on the legal side its simple....it must be a retail copy to be used on other motherboards as most COAs are OEM and only good for one motherboard.....board dies your key dies.....

google if you dont care about legal........

Bad 💀 Motha 13 Jul @ 11:08pm

Even OEM key you generally are allowed to change the Motherboard.
Now if it was a prebuild; such as Dell, HP, Lenovo; then that's a different story.

Aleddra 14 Jul @ 3:36am

No, it's a license bound to my Microsoft account. I'm just not sure if i have to do something special to remove this motherboard form the license before i install Windows again.