When needed, you can transfer the Windows license to a new computer. This straightforward guide will show you how to do it in simple steps.
It’s not that often, but there will be times where you need to transfer a Windows license from one computer to another. For example, maybe you bought a new PC and want to retire the old one or plan to sell the old one for a new one, etc. No matter the reason, transferring the Windows license is beneficial when permanently moving from one computer to another. After all, it eliminates the need to buy a new Windows license key. If you don’t know, a retail Windows license is pretty expensive.
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Can I transfer my Windows license?
Yes, it is entirely valid to transfer a Windows license from one PC to another if you are wondering. In fact, Microsoft even provides a simple way to do it.
That being said, not all licenses are equal. Depending on what type of Windows license, you are fully entitled to transfer the Windows license.
For the general public, Microsoft provides two types of licenses. i.e., OEM license and Retail license.
An OEM license is tied to a specific Windows device and is not eligible to transfer. So, if you have an OEM license, you cannot transfer the Windows license. Generally, the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) provides this license type. For example, you might have an OEM license if you bought a laptop or pre-built computer from vendors like Microsoft, Dell, Asus, HP, etc. Any PC with pre-activated Windows has an OEM license as a rule of thumb. One of the main reasons for this is that the OEM license is much cheaper than a retail license.
Retail Windows license allows you to transfer it from one PC to another with just a couple of steps. You have to deactivate the license key on the old machine and activate it on the new device. There is no limit on how many times you can transfer. However, do it frequently, and Microsoft may flag it for suspicious activity. In that case, you have to contact Microsoft support to resolve the issue.
So, depending on the Windows license type, you can transfer the Windows license. If you need guidance, learn to check if you have an OEM or Retail license.
Once you are sure you have a retail license, follow the below steps to transfer the Windows license.
Transfer Windows license
There are two major steps to transfer a Windows license successfully. They are deactivating the old machine’s license and activating it on the new device.
If you are wondering, you cannot activate the same license key on two or more devices at once. One license key can be active only on one machine.
After the two steps, you need to verify if the license is activated correctly.
I will go into detail about each major step. Follow them as-is, and the transfer will be done in no time.
Deactivate license on the old device
We need to deactivate the retail license on the current/old device as the first step. To do that, follow the below steps.
- Press the Start key on your keyboard.
- Search for “Command Prompt.”
- Right-click on the Command Prompt result.
- Select the “Run as administrator” option.
- Type “slmgr /upk” and press Enter.
- You will see the “Uninstalled product key successfully” message.
- Press “Ok.”
- Type “slmgr /cpky” and press Enter.
- You will see the “Product key from registry cleared successfully” message.
- Click the “Ok” button.
- Close the Command Prompt window.
- Shut down the computer.
- With that, you’ve deactivated the license key in Windows OS.
Detailed steps:
We need to open the Command Prompt window as admin. To do that, search for Command Prompt in the Start menu, right-click on the result and select the “Run as administrator” option.
Type the “slmgr /upk” command in the Command Prompt window and press Enter. As soon as you do that, Windows will uninstall the product key. You will see the “Uninstalled product key successfully” message.
Note: Sometimes, you might not see the success message. In that case, execute the command a few more times or until you see it.
After that, type “slmgr /cpky” and press Enter. This will remove the product key from the system. You will see the “Product key from registry cleared successfully” message once the product key is removed successfully.
With that, you have successfully deactivated and removed the Windows product key or license from the current/old device.
Finally, close the Command Prompt window and shut down the computer to ensure it is not connected or connecting to Microsoft servers.
Activate the license on the new device
After deactivating the license on the old device, you can use it to activate the new device. Here is how to do it.
- Press the Start key on your keyboard.
- Search for “Command Prompt.”
- Right-click on the Command Prompt result.
- Select the “Run as administrator” option.
- Type “slmgr /ipk product-key” while replacing product-key with the actual product key and press Enter.
- You will see the “Installed product key” message.
- Press “Ok.”
- Close the Command Prompt window.
We need to open the Command Prompt window as admin. To do that, search for Command Prompt in the Start menu, right-click on the result and select the “Run as administrator” option.
In the Command Prompt window, type the below command and press Enter. Replace “product-key” with the actual product key.
slmgr /ipk product-key
Windows will install the product key and show the “Installed product key” message as soon as you do that.
Verify Windows license activation
After installing the license key, it is essential to check if the activate is successful. To do that, follow the below steps.
- Press the Start key on your keyboard.
- Search for “Command Prompt.”
- Right-click on the Command Prompt result.
- Select the “Run as administrator” option.
- Type “slmgr /dlv” and press Enter.
- If the copy is activated, you will see “Licensed” next to “License status.”
- Click the “Ok” button.
- Close the Command Prompt window.
Detailed steps:
We need to open the Command Prompt window as admin. To do that, search for Command Prompt in the Start menu, right-click on the result and select the “Run as administrator” option.
Type “slmgr /dlv” in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
If your Windows license is activated, you will see “Licensed” next to the “License Status” heading.
If you don’t see it, you might have to wait some time for Microsoft to recognize the change and activate it. Ensure the old device is disconnected from the internet after successful deactivation. Alternatively, contact Microsoft support, and they will fix the problem. Sometimes, you might have to provide valid proof of the purchase or previous activation if the license key is flagged for whatever reason.
That is all. It is that simple to transfer a Windows license to a new computer.
I hope this easy how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.
