Windows 10 portability

Question

Hello,

I operate Windows under Parallels on two Macintoshes (latest macOS). I have been using Windows XP until now.

My need/use for Windows is very occasional, and never on both computers at the same. That will not change. One computer is my desktop Mac, and the other is my MacBook Pro. Sometimes I have to take Windows portable.

I have upgraded my Parallels to the latest, and while XP still works for me, Something is on the horizon, and I need to move up to Windows 10.

I am not doing an upgrade; I intend to buy a proper retail boxed copy of Windows 10 Home. That is important - a new full licence sans history.

The question is straightforward, and although I've seen it asked before, most answers complicate by adding irrelevant information, and in some, inaccurate info.

I am hoping that I can install Windows 10 Home on both machines, and activate both with the same Product Key, with only one operating at a time.

If I use only one computer at a time, with the other off (Parallels not running), will I be successful?

If not, is it a simple process to Deactivate W10 on one machine and Re-activate W10 on the other, essentially swapping the single Product Key between the two computers as I need it?

Thanks for guidance.

Brian

Answer 1

You're welcome, Brian. Should you need further assistance, don't hesitate to get back to us.

Regards.

Answer 2

Once again, thank you for your answers to my queries. Best regards, Brian

Answer 3

It is because of these two:

1. Requirement based on Microsoft Terms and Agreement. Every time you transfer the software to a new device, you must remove the software from the prior device. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between devices.
2. So that Microsoft server will not be confused that the product key has been used on two devices. Deactivating the product key on your Windows 10 PC will not remove the key of that PC from Microsoft server. Once you try activating it on another PC with the same product key, you may encounter activation issues. Windows server will still see that this product key is still attached to a certain device. Uninstalling it is just like informing the server that you are detaching it from that PC.

Just to clarify, deactivating and uninstalling a product key are just the same process.

Here are the threads that you may also want to check:

How do you deactivate Windows 10 license on one computer and then install it on another?

How to Deactivate Windows on one machine so I can use the product key on another?

If you would like me to provide additional advice, simply respond to this thread. I will get notified and I’ll reply to you as soon as I can.

Answer 4

Good morning, Gemzon,

Thank you for your reply. I think that, perhaps, I see the source of my confusion. It is the Product Key that must be uninstalled after deactivation. One need not remove the Windows 10 files. They can stay on the computer until some future re-activation with an appropriate Product Key.

Which leads to my next question, if the Product Key is successfully deactivated at this computer, why is it necessary to uninstall that Product Key? Can I not  simply return to this computer at some time, and, assuming that I do not have that Key activated on any other computer, simply re-activate it?

Thanks.

Brian

Answer 5

Hi brwill,

A simple answer to your question, no. You cannot use the same key to activate Windows on multiple PCs. You can only transfer the Product key to other PC by Calling Answer Desk or by deactivating/uninstalling it from the current device then installing it to the new PC if you've purchased a retail copy of Windows 10.

If you would like me to provide additional advice, simply respond to this thread. I will get notified and I’ll reply to you as soon as I can.