Moving Windows activation to new hardware - MAK key

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Moving Windows activation to new hardware - MAK key

Susan Dodds 376

I have a Windows 11 pro PC that was activated using a MAK key. If I move the Windows activation of 1 PC to another by linking it to a Microsoft account, will it only affect that particular hardware?I want to make sure it won't deactivate any others that used that same MAK key.

Thanks

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Answer 1

EmilyS726 235.5K Independent Advisor

Hello

How did you end up with an MAK license? MAK is a type of volume license.

Volume license is sold to organizations and it is meant to be used by the users within the organization it is sold to only. It is not meant to be used by home/retail users.

Additionally, a MAK license comes with an installation limit, which means a single key can only be used for a set number of installations, Let's say 100. If the key is used on 100 installs (including reinstall on same device), the key will then stop working and the organization admin needs to get in touch with volume licensing support to up the limit.

So, it is not linked to your personal Microsoft account. You need the actual MAK license key to install it on a new device. And there's a chance the new install can cause the MAK key to hit installation limit. But more importantlyl if you are a home/retail user, you shouldn't be using this type of license as it is a violation of licensing terms.

Susan Dodds 376 Reputation points

2025-09-23T16:10:54.85+00:00

I do work with an organization and am aware of the activation limit. The forum tags made me go under home use to ask about licensing. My mak key is for windows 7/8, which no longer works on 10/11 so my existing activations are important.
EmilyS726 235.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-23T16:13:29.2333333+00:00

In this case, you need to reach out to the organization IT team/support, ask them for the Windows 10/11 MAK key.
Susan Dodds 376 Reputation points

2025-09-23T16:28:39.9133333+00:00

I'd love to have a windows 10/11 pro mak key but I can't find anyone selling them at a non-profit price. If you know a seller, let me know. Not one where you buy 100 full priced licenses and then generate a single mak key.

To confirm, you're saying using the Microsoft account to transfer the activation won't work with mak keys?
EmilyS726 235.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-23T16:43:00.6166667+00:00

Correct, MAK key is not associated with Microsoft account.

MAK key is not sold as retail either. You said you work for an organization - didn't you get the key from your organization then? If so, your organization should already have a volume licensing account with Microsoft. Talk to the IT, and have them log into the admin center, and request the MAK key for Win11. They would invoice your account as needed.
Susan Dodds 376 Reputation points

2025-09-23T16:47:06.7+00:00

I've asked microsoft several times from the admin center, and they keep telling me to try resellers. I've yet to find a reseller that will give me what I need. If you have a way to get win 11 pro and office 2024 pro plus mak keys directly through microsoft and not a reseller, please let me know.
EmilyS726 235.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-23T16:50:16.1633333+00:00

So you are IT yourself?

Did your volume licensing account start with a reseller back then? If so, it would make sense that you would continue with the same reseller.

Have you tried calling Volume Licensing support phone number? https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/existing-customer/activation-centers
Susan Dodds 376 Reputation points

2025-09-23T17:04:37.92+00:00

I am the entire IT staff. My reseller stopped selling volume licensing 4 years ago apparently so I'm in a bit of a bind. I've tried the volume licensing help through the admin portal phone/email and they said just keep trying resellers.
EmilyS726 235.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-23T17:11:06.27+00:00

It made sense if you started out with a reseller.

You can use the partner locator tool to find a different reseller: https://appsource.microsoft.com/en-us/marketplace/partner-dir?filter=products%3DWindows%3Bsort%3D0%3BpageSize%3D18%3BonlyThisCountry%3Dtrue%3Bcountry%3Dus%3Bradius%3D100%3Blocname%3DUnited%2520States%3BlocationNotRequired%3Dtrue
Susan Dodds 376 Reputation points

2025-09-23T17:19:36.69+00:00

Thanks but I've tried that, have yet to find one that has what I need.
EmilyS726 235.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-23T17:26:51.9433333+00:00

I am not sure what country you are in.. try CDW too.

Or go through Microsoft's nonprofit process to become an eligible nonprofit account directly with Microsoft: https://nonprofit.microsoft.com/en-us/getting-started
Susan Dodds 376 Reputation points

2025-09-23T17:30:50.7533333+00:00

I already have a non-profit account but that hasn't given me any new resources. I used to be able to buy a single windows or office license for a couple hundred and get 100+ activations. I'm in the United States.
EmilyS726 235.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-23T17:34:16.56+00:00

That is weird.. I am in the US too and I manage a nonprofit organization. We don't have this problem and our MAK licenses were automatically updated/added when Windows 11 came out. I think it might have to do with your account being initially set up via reseller. I think it might be worth setting up like from scratch directly with Microsoft.
Susan Dodds 376 Reputation points

2025-09-23T17:37:37.2633333+00:00

I'm missing most of my stuff from the volume licensing site to the admin center transfer so I don't know what all happened for me. May i ask for who your reseller is?
EmilyS726 235.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-23T17:42:37.23+00:00

We didn't use reseller. We started with Microsoft directly. It was that nonprofit link I gave you. During that process, they had us go through techsoup to verify our nonprofit status, but everything else is set up directly with Microsoft. It has been running smoothly for almost 20 years.
Susan Dodds 376 Reputation points

2025-09-23T17:45:00.24+00:00

Techsoup was my reseller too but they told me they don't do volume licensing anymore. I bought through techsoup. If you have a more direct link to go to after you have the N-P account, that would be appreciated.
EmilyS726 235.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-23T17:47:27.4766667+00:00

I think you misunderstood me - we didn't purchase from techsoup. We started from this link I shared with you: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/existing-customer/activation-centers The eligibility check is oursourced to techsoup. Once verified as nonprofit, such as submitting your 501c3 status and tax exempt certificate, you will be given the token to get back to Microsoft to continue the process. Purchase was done directly with Microsoft then. This is why I suggest that it could be worth starting from scratch to go through this process.
Susan Dodds 376 Reputation points

2025-09-25T17:04:03.24+00:00

Do you havea different link? That one was for activating keys you already have.
EmilyS726 235.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-25T17:06:26.2066667+00:00

Sorry, meant to share this one: https://nonprofit.microsoft.com/en-us/getting-started
Susan Dodds 376 Reputation points

2025-10-23T13:43:50.69+00:00

Sorry for the late reply.

I'm still only seeing the option to go with 3rd party partners, not microsoft directly. How are you buying volume licenses from microsoft directly?
Susan Dodds 376 Reputation points

2025-11-17T20:44:50.37+00:00

I'm still unable to find a 3rd party partner.

Would you be willing to give me more details on where you're getting your volume licensing?

Thanks

Answer 2

Susan Dodds 376

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