Post to Windows Topic
Building a new PC or refurbishing the old PC is a quite common activity in order to keep peace with the current technology. And it is extremely easy to complete the task in today's tech atmosphere. However, one major issue arises during the upgrade or rebuild. How to get Windows 10 activated legally instead of using free license activator like Kmspico Activator.
The truth is that you can use the current license key to activate Windows 10 on a new computer. But there are many terms and conditions of Microsoft and you need to know like, on which devices the license key can be transferred and what are the possible ways to do the task. Here, you will get brief information about Windows 10 activation key and the methods will help you to transfer the license key from the old computer to new PC. Now, let's see what are the conditions that need to fulfil to activate Windows 10 on a new PC with old product key.
Microsoft offers license keys through two channels, i.e. Retail & Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). If you got a retail copy of Windows 10 product key, then you can transfer the license key from one computer to another and there is no limitation at all. However, if you got the computer that is pre-installed, it means you are using the OEM license key and is non-transferable.
In simple word, only OEM license key is eligible for transfer.
Before moving to the transfer process, you have to check the license key of Windows 10 license key on your old computer. This is done in Command Prompt.
Step 1: Click on the Search button located parallel to the Start menu, type 'CMD' in the box and then click on 'Run as administrator'.
Step 2: The command prompt will open and here you need to type the command listed below and then press the Enter key.
slmgr.vbs /dlv
Step 3: A dialog box will open and it will show all the Activation ID, Product Key, License Status, and many more.
From the above screenshot, you can see the product key channel is marked as Retail. This means you can use this license key to activate another PC for free. Now, you need to copy the license key and save it in another place for future usage.
You will see an activation watermark on Windows 10 desktop if it is not activated with a valid product key. Now, you are familiar with the definition of Retail and OEM and if you are using the Retail copy of Windows product key, then the transferrable process is applicable and the method for the same is provided below.
Microsoft offers ample features but does not provide the deactivation process of the license key and if you format the computer, then the license key will be no longer in use. So, at this point, you need to uninstall Windows 10 product key from old computer before using it on a new or refurbish PC. And this method won't inform the server that the license is deactivated. Hence, this is a safe and reliable method.
Step 1: If your old computer is still in working condition, then launch Command Prompt utility in an administration mode and then type the command listed below to uninstall Windows product key from it: slmgr /upk
Step 2: The above task will deactivate Windows 10 license key from the computer. Now, you need to remove it from Windows registry file by using this command: slmgr /cpky
Step 3: Make sure that the product key is still featured on Microsoft server and this method only bypasses the detection of product key uses in multiple devices.
Step 4: Now, you need to install Windows 10 on a new computer and you can use the bootable device to perform the task. The ISO file of Windows 10 is available on Microsoft website and you need to download ISO image and burn it to USB with Media Creation Tool.
Step 5: Amid installing Windows 10, you will be asked to enter the product key, just click on the button I don't have a product key.
Step 6: Soon, Windows will prompt you again to enter the license key and you need to click on the button Do this later.
Step 7: After completing the installation process, open the command prompt in an administration mode and type the command listed below to activate Windows 10 on a new computer.
slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
Note: Replace xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx with your license key.
That's it. Your product key is transferred successfully. However, if you are assembling the computer and making a fresh one, then using the motherboard of the old computer will be enough to access Windows 10 on a new computer with the same license key.
It is clearly enought that OEM license is not transferable. You have to purchase a new license key to activate the new device you built or bought. However, there are a few tricks you can buy a cheap Windows 10 product key. Some user reported that you can get a Windows 10 product key on eBay for $10. For students or techcers, there is a huge discount for Windows 10 Education Edition.
So, this was all about the ways to get Windows 10 license key at a minimal cost. The entire method was about the transferring of the license key from old to a new computer. However, if you purchase a new laptop, then Windows 10 comes pre-installed and you don't need to perform such a task. But, if you are modifying your computer, then the above steps are helpful and eBay is also a good option to get a license key at an optimum cost.