How to Transfer Your Windows License to a New PC
Upgrading your computer is exciting, but buying a brand new Windows license can be an unexpected expense. The good news? Depending on the type of license you originally purchased, you can legally transfer your Windows 10 or Windows 11 license to a new computer.
To transfer your Windows license to a new computer, you must first determine if you have a Retail license (which is fully transferable) or an OEM license (which is permanently tied to your original motherboard). If you have a Retail license, you simply deactivate it on your old PC using the Command Prompt, and then enter the product key on your new PC during or after installation.
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Step 1: Check If Your License is Transferable (Retail vs OEM)
Microsoft issues two main types of consumer licenses. Here is how they differ:
| License Type | How You Got It | Can You Transfer It? |
|---|---|---|
| Retail | You bought Windows directly from Microsoft or a trusted retailer like SortedKeys. | Yes. You can transfer this to a new PC as many times as you want (one active PC at a time). |
| OEM | It came pre-installed on your laptop or pre-built PC (Dell, HP, Lenovo). | No. OEM keys are permanently tied to the original motherboard. |
How to check your license type:
- Click the Start menu on your old PC, type cmd, and open the Command Prompt.
- Type the command:
slmgr /dliand press Enter. - A small window will pop up. Look at the Description line. It will say either RETAIL channel or OEM channel.
Step 2: Deactivate Windows on Your Old PC
If you have a Retail license, you must remove it from Microsoft’s activation servers on your old PC before moving it to the new one.
- Open the Command Prompt as an Administrator on your old PC.
- Type
slmgr /upkand press Enter. (This uninstalls the product key). - Type
slmgr /cpkyand press Enter. (This clears the product key from your registry).
Your old PC is now deactivated.
Step 3: Activate Windows on Your New PC
Now that the license is freed up, you can apply it to your new computer.
- On your new PC, go to Settings > System > Activation.
- Click on Change product key.
- Enter your 25-character product key and click Next.
If you linked your digital license to your Microsoft Account, you can simply log into your Microsoft Account on the new PC, go to the Activation menu, click Troubleshoot, and select “I changed hardware on this device recently.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happens if I try to transfer an OEM key?
If you try to activate an OEM key on a new motherboard, Microsoft’s activation servers will reject it, and you will receive an error code indicating the key is already in use. You will need to purchase a new license.
Do I have to reinstall my apps when transferring my license?
Yes. Transferring your license only moves your right to use the Windows operating system. You will still need to manually reinstall your applications and move your personal files via a USB drive or cloud storage.
Can I transfer Windows 10 and upgrade it to Windows 11?
Yes! If you transfer a Retail Windows 10 license to a new PC, it will successfully activate Windows 10. From there, you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free using Windows Update, provided your new PC meets the hardware requirements.
