Transfer license from an old machine to a new Build.

CalypsoArt · Mar 12, 2025

I built my current machine in 2018, then upgraded the CPU and memory in 2021. I'm about to begin a new build. When complete I want to transfer my Windows 11 license to the new machine. It's been so long, how do I do this? I believe my licenses (I have 3 Windows machines and a Surface Pro 8) are through my MS account.

antspants · Mar 12, 2025

pseymour said:
If it's a retail license, you can open an administrative command prompt on the old system, and use the command

Code:

cscript.exe %SystemRoot%\System32\slmgr.vbs /upk

to uninstall the product key. Then you can use the same key on the new system.

Slmgr.vbs options for obtaining volume activation information

Provides a list of options available for the Slmgr.vbs script, and describes usage cases for their use.

learn.microsoft.com

FreeBooter · Mar 12, 2025

This guide will cover how end users can determine the type of Windows 10/11 license they have and how to transfer the license from one computer to another.

NavyLCDR · Mar 12, 2025

As a note, Microsoft no longer really differentiates between OEM and Retail Licenses. Also, do not remove the product key from the old computer/windows installation. If you have a current OEM license on the old computer, it likely will not transfer via the Microsoft account. However, to convert the OEM license to a retail license all you have to do is change the OEM product key on the old computer to the generic retail product key for that edition of Windows. Product keys for Windows 11 are exactly the same as Windows 10 product keys.

Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions

List of Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions

www.tenforums.com

Megahertz · Mar 13, 2025

NavyLCDR said:
As a note, Microsoft no longer really differentiates between OEM and Retail Licenses. Also, do not remove the product key from the old computer/windows installation. If you have a current OEM license on the old computer, it likely will not transfer via the Microsoft account. However, to convert the OEM license to a retail license all you have to do is change the OEM product key on the old computer to the generic retail product key for that edition of Windows. Product keys for Windows 11 are exactly the same as Windows 10 product keys.

Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions

List of Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions

www.tenforums.com

John, once you change the OEM license to a generic one, how to set this change into MS account so it can be retrieved on the new build?

CalypsoArt · Mar 13, 2025

NavyLCDR said:
As a note, Microsoft no longer really differentiates between OEM and Retail Licenses. Also, do not remove the product key from the old computer/windows installation. If you have a current OEM license on the old computer, it likely will not transfer via the Microsoft account. However, to convert the OEM license to a retail license all you have to do is change the OEM product key on the old computer to the generic retail product key for that edition of Windows. Product keys for Windows 11 are exactly the same as Windows 10 product keys.

Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions

List of Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions

www.tenforums.com

I'm not sure I'm understanding this. Any more info or instruction on how it can be used for a new build? I have a Lenovo laptop with Win 10 that I set up to dual boot with Linux Mint. I hardly use it and never boot the windows anymore. It would be nice if I could transfer that license.

NavyLCDR · Mar 13, 2025

Megahertz said:
John, once you change the OEM license to a generic one, how to set this change into MS account so it can be retrieved on the new build?

You just have to log into your MS account on that computer once it is activated with the generic product key.

NavyLCDR · Mar 13, 2025

CalypsoArt said:
I'm not sure I'm understanding this. Any more info or instruction on how it can be used for a new build? I have a Lenovo laptop with Win 10 that I set up to dual boot with Linux Mint. I hardly use it and never boot the windows anymore. It would be nice if I could transfer that license.

First, it only really works if you are using a Microsoft Account. Using a local account it won't make much difference. You have a Lenovo laptop which probably has Windows activated with the OEM product key which is stored in BIOS. In System Settings -> Activation, is a button to change the product key. Change the product key to the generic retail product key for that edition of Windows (Windows 10 and 11 use the same product keys). That will change the Windows license to retail and you can then use the activation troubleshooter on a new computer, with you Microsoft account, to copy that retail license from the old computer to the new computer. Note, it copies the license, it does not remove the license from the old computer.

x509 · Mar 13, 2025

NavyLCDR said:
Change the product key to the generic retail product key for that edition of Windows (Windows 10 and 11 use the same product keys). That will change the Windows license to retail

Does that mean that I can now use that "retail" license to a fresh install? If so, then I'm sorry that I scrapped out these old, battered and not working Win 10 laptops that I got from my brother.

NavyLCDR said:
and you can then use the activation troubleshooter on a new computer, with you Microsoft account, to copy that retail license from the old computer to the new computer.

For a new self-built desktop? Or a VM? Or upgrade a Home machine to a PRO machine?

NavyLCDR said:
Note, it copies the license, it does not remove the license from the old computer.

So is the old computer still usable and upgradable once you have used that license on a new system? Wouldn't that be like getting a new license for free?

NavyLCDR · Mar 13, 2025

x509 said:
Does that mean that I can now use that "retail" license to a fresh install of say a VM. If so, then I'm sorry that I scrapped out these old, battered and not working Win 10 laptops that I got from my brother.

For a new self-built desktop? Or a VM?

So is the old computer still usable and upgradable once you have used that license on a new system? Wouldn't that be like getting a new license for free?

Microsoft used to differentiate between VMs and physical computers. I don't think they do any longer. And yes, it is like getting a new license for free. Microsoft is very clearly more interested in dominating the OS market than they are about individual piracy. The higher their market share of their OS, the higher price they can charge for advertising which is where they make the real money.

x509 · Mar 13, 2025

NavyLCDR said:
Microsoft is very clearly more interested in dominating the OS market than they are about individual piracy.

How is it piracy if I'm fully compliant with Microsoft rules and procedures?

NavyLCDR said:
The higher their market share of their OS, the higher price they can charge for advertising which is where they make the real money.

So why not make Windows 11 and future versions free for personal use download? They can still charge money for OEMs and corporate users licenses?

Dru2 · Mar 13, 2025

CalypsoArt said:
I built my current machine in 2018, then upgraded the CPU and memory in 2021. I'm about to begin a new build. When complete I want to transfer my Windows 11 license to the new machine. It's been so long, how do I do this? I believe my licenses (I have 3 Windows machines and a Surface Pro 8) are through my MS account.

I just did a new build (MB, CPU, RAM, drives) a couple of weeks back and as noted signing in with a Microsoft Account will (should) activate Windows. It certainly did for me. I'll also note none of my desktop builds ever used an OEM license.

Good luck.

x509 · Mar 14, 2025

Dru2 said:
I just did a new build (MB, CPU, RAM, drives) a couple of weeks back and as noted signing in with a Microsoft Account will (should) activate Windows. It certainly did for me. I'll also note none of my desktop builds ever used an OEM license.

Good luck.

Interesting. What kind of license did you enter? Or were you able to activate without a license?

Dru2 · Mar 14, 2025

x509 said:
Interesting. What kind of license did you enter? Or were you able to activate without a license?

Not really interesting as that's standard procedure. And no, you don't need to supply a key if you've got a digital license tied to your account. You just need to sign into your account to activate. I can't even tell you what key I have as it's been ages since I needed to supply one. I'm sure it's a generic key, but the point is I've not used one in years because 11 is already tied to my account.

Anyway, my licenses are from my Windows 8 & 10 OS purchases, and how I was able to upgrade to Windows 11 for free. Do note Microsoft no longer allows Windows 8 keys to upgrade to 11, so you'll need a Windows 10 license for the free upgrade to 11. Or you can purchase a Win 11 key.

CalypsoArt · Mar 14, 2025

NavyLCDR said:
First, it only really works if you are using a Microsoft Account. Using a local account it won't make much difference. You have a Lenovo laptop which probably has Windows activated with the OEM product key which is stored in BIOS. In System Settings -> Activation, is a button to change the product key. Change the product key to the generic retail product key for that edition of Windows (Windows 10 and 11 use the same product keys). That will change the Windows license to retail and you can then use the activation troubleshooter on a new computer, with you Microsoft account, to copy that retail license from the old computer to the new computer. Note, it copies the license, it does not remove the license from the old computer.

Thanks for the info. Just did this on the (Win10) Lenovo and it works. slmgr.vbs previously showed as OEM, now shows as RETAIL. I did go to my MS account from the Lenovo but the computer does not show up as one of my devices in the account. How would I use this license to activate Win 11 when I install it on the new build?

NavyLCDR · Mar 14, 2025

CalypsoArt said:
Thanks for the info. Just did this on the (Win10) Lenovo and it works. slmgr.vbs previously showed as OEM, now shows as RETAIL. I did go to my MS account from the Lenovo but the computer does not show up as one of my devices in the account. How would I use this license to activate Win 11 when I install it on the new build?

Yes, it does have to show up on your MS account.

gunrunnerjohn · Mar 14, 2025

I'm building a new computer from parts, and I bought the key through a deal on GROUPON for $12.60. It installed and activated just fine. As others have said, apparently they're using a shotgun to spread the keys around.

I did actually try to move a key from an older machine, but it was an OEM key that was then upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10, and they refused to validate it. I figured $12.60 wasn't too much to pay for Win11 Pro.

CalypsoArt · Mar 14, 2025

NavyLCDR said:
Yes, it does have to show up on your MS account.

After the product key change, Windows did a big update (still Win 10 as this Lenovo is not 11 compliant) and I thought that might make it happen. No luck. Any Idea how to get it to be recognized for my account? Could it not be happening because it a Linux dual boot? I wiped this computer and fresh installed both OSs in 2022 just to learn and try my hand with Linux. I don't really use that computer at all.

Edit: I just went through clicking settings, activation checks, etc., and now the computer is suddenly listed in my account. Thanks for the help.

x509 · Mar 15, 2025

CalypsoArt said:
Thanks for the info. Just did this on the (Win10) Lenovo and it works. slmgr.vbs previously showed as OEM, now shows as RETAIL.

Are you saying that Microsoft made this change without any action from you?

CalypsoArt · Mar 15, 2025

x509 said:
Are you saying that Microsoft made this change without any action from you?

I think when Windows installed updates it happened. Soon after I updated from Win10 to 11 on this non-complaint PC and it worked.

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