Can I transfer a windows 10 to 11 license?

Question

Can I transfer a windows 10 to 11 license?

Andy 0

So I recently just built a new PC, the windows license that I purchased from the Windows website was a windows 10 home license. Now that I built a new PC I decided to just switch to windows 11, however it doesn't seem to be able to transfer my license. Do I need to purchase a new one or do I just need to upgrade to windows 11 on my old desktop and then it'll work, otherwise I'll need to go back to windows 10.

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Answer 1

EmilyS726 246.3K Independent Advisor

Hello

Have you already run the troubleshooter? go to Settings > System > Activation, run the troubleshooter, choose the hardware change option. When it asks you where it is installed on right now, you should choose the old device name. Then click on Activate button. And on the next screen when it asks you where to transfer it to, choose your new device name. See if that does the trick.

If you have, on the new build, consider installing it as Windows 10, then run the troubleshooter. Then run the installation assistant tool to upgrade to 11, it is free.

Andy 0 Reputation points

2026-07-03T21:21:58.43+00:00

I have done that unfortunately having to juggle and replug in both PCs its taking a while but it seems like it couldn't find any other device on my new PC. Would it be best if I unactivate my microsoft on the old desktop or is it a better idea to upgrade it to windows 11 first and then check with my new PC
EmilyS726 246.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-03T21:23:47.8466667+00:00

Hmm. it could be that the device linkage on the old PC is corrupted.

You still have access to t he old? If so, try this:

Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info

Click on Sign in with local user instead. follow the steps and finish the rest.

(If you don't see the "sign in with a local account instead option, click on "Stop signing into Microsoft apps automatically" first, then relaunch this page. )

Restart the computer (Do Not skip)

Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info

Click on Sign in with Microsoft account instead. follow the steps and finish the rest

Restart the computer (Do Not skip)

Give it 24 hours, then try to run the troubleshooter again on the new.
Andy 0 Reputation points

2026-07-03T21:42:49.48+00:00

okay cool I will try and see how it goes tomorrow but unfortunately it seems that for some reason now my old Desktop is not able to upgrade to windows 11 anymore so would it still work to directly transfer my 5 year old window 10 license to the new windows 11 PC or would I need to reinstall windows 10 on the new PC and then upgrade it here?
EmilyS726 246.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-03T21:48:26.06+00:00

Bottom line is - you don't need to get a new license. Unless your license was upgraded from Windows 7 or 8.

I thought you installed Windows 10 on the new computer? That was the plan, then transfer the license and then upgrade?
Andy 0 Reputation points

2026-07-03T22:03:50.54+00:00

no I was thinking that might as well change for the new PC so I just straight up installed windows 11 on the new PC, was wondering if that's why the troubleshooting wasn't finding the old device since technically that's in windows 10 and this is to activate windows 11
EmilyS726 246.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-03T22:05:49.84+00:00

There's no official guide anywhere saying you cannot do that, however, being on this forum for a long time I've definitely seen this, for those who never claimed the free Win11 upgrade, they would run into this issue like yours. You can definitely try clean install Win10 in the new computer first.
Andy 0 Reputation points

2026-07-03T22:09:39.78+00:00

I've never had to reinstall windows, do you know if reinstalling windows 10 on my new PC is gonna get rid of all of my stuff and files that I have moved over?
EmilyS726 246.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-03T22:11:42.0333333+00:00

Yes, it does remove files and apps.

If that's too much trouble, I think it is best that you reach out to support and have them activate for you.
Andy 0 Reputation points

2026-07-03T22:32:36.54+00:00

ah damn yeah I would like to not have to reinstall like a bunch of apps and games and transfer away my files. Also if it touches my other HDDs that's like 4 TBs of shit... I might have to ask support to activate it for me after I wait for the other plan you gave out thanks!
EmilyS726 246.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-03T22:34:54.9833333+00:00

Yeah, then support route is better in this case.