Can I transfer Windows 10 Pro license to another computer?

3

I have bought a windows 10 pro license for my laptop that I no longer need and wanted to transfer to my desktop. I wouldn't like to buy a new license for my desktop since I won't use laptop anymore....

is this doable under microsoft license?

I tried to search this for quite a while but couldn't figure out. I sent e-mail to microsoft support but got some stupid generic help talking about subject that I didn't even asked...

please help

RollRoll

Posted 2016-08-30T22:32:48.603

Reputation: 381

Question was closed 2016-09-06T14:24:35.837

Did you purchase retail or OEM? – LvxOne – 2016-08-30T22:33:28.960

1Retail license, Yes, OEM, No. – Moab – 2016-08-30T22:34:57.033

it came with the computer and I upgraded it to pro – RollRoll – 2016-08-30T22:35:05.157

1That is OEM then, so No. – Moab – 2016-08-30T22:35:36.150

" I sent e-mail to microsoft support but got some stupid generic help talking about subject that I didn't even ask" So classic! – Moab – 2016-08-30T22:46:58.520

2To everyone marking this as duplicate, it's not. That other question is about upgrading the underlying license, not a pro upgrade. Indeed, in that other question, an answer is offered that DOES try to address this point:

"For a upgrade license, my understanding is that, if it is installed over an existing OEM install, you can't transfer the 'full' license to another computer - only the 'upgrade' part. However this shouldn't be a problem if the 'underlying' OS was a full retail copy to begin with."

But all other comments there and here misconstrue this key point of the question here. – charlie arehart – 2018-02-22T13:30:51.183

Answers

4

If the license is retail, then yes you can transfer it.

If the license is OEM, then no, you cannot.

If the license came with your laptop (or you upgraded from the license that came with your laptop), then it is OEM and not transferable.

Retail version:

  • Includes transfer rights to another computer.

OEM versions of Windows are identical to Retail versions except for the following:

  • OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on
  • OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

Source: Windows 10 License Key

LvxOne

Posted 2016-08-30T22:32:48.603

Reputation: 416

@LvxOne -I went ahead and fixed your answer. I included the relevant information from your link Please take this has a friendly hint, that if you include a link, the relevant information should be included in the answer. – Ramhound – 2016-08-30T23:12:43.703

So the "Community Moderator" that is quoted in this answer, had incorrect information, I excluded that information. There is no "Upgrade" version of Windows 10, so it held no importance, to the author's question about Windows 10. – Ramhound – 2016-08-30T23:17:48.650

@Ramhound Thank you for the heads up. Your input and the post update are greatly appreciated. I'm still new to this, so I'm trying my best to figure it out and do things as correctly as possible. – LvxOne – 2016-08-30T23:20:57.180

That "windows 10 license key" does NOT address this question. It's referring to transferring the underlying license. The question here is different, being about whether we can transfer a PRO upgrade. It remains unanswered here. – charlie arehart – 2018-02-22T13:32:40.807