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Transfer Windows license to a new PC

Anonymous
2023-10-17T21:58:00+00:00

I bought a retail version of Windows 10 in 2017, which was a digital code obtained from the Microsoft website. I have been using it on my laptop since then. However, I plan to purchase a new PC and would like to install Windows 11 on it. Can I format my old laptop, install a fresh copy of Windows 11 on the new PC, and use the same license key I previously purchased to activate it?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation

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  1. Kapil Arya 37,191 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-10-18T07:44:05+00:00

    The retail license can be transferred to other PC.

    All you need to do is to use the license product key on new PC, it will activate new PC and will be deactivated from old PC automatically.

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  1. EmilyS726 211.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-10-18T19:05:37+00:00

    Hello, this is Emily.

    As long as this is a retail license, you can transfer it over.

    To do so, no need to format the old computer. Go ahead and perform the clean install on the new computer. When prompted for prompt key, choose "I don't have a product key".

    When installation is done, set it up using your Microsoft account. Then go to Settings > System > Activation, run the troubleshooter and choose the change hardware option. It should show you the old computer and the new, you can then transfer it to the new that way.

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