When you buy a new computer or rebuild an old one, you may not need a new Windows licence. Whether you can move your existing Windows 10 or Windows 11 licence depends on how it was sold: retail licences can usually be transferred, while OEM licences stay with the original PC. This guide explains the rules, then walks through the transfer step by step.
| Licence type | Can it move to a new PC? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Retail (stand-alone key) | Yes, after removing it from the old PC | Remove the key from the old PC, then activate on the new PC |
| OEM (preinstalled or system builder) | No, it stays with the original device | Buy a new licence for the new PC |
| Volume (MAK / KMS) | Depends on the organisation's agreement | Ask your IT department |
Can I transfer my Windows 11 licence to a new computer?
Yes, you can transfer a retail Windows 11 or Windows 10 licence to a new computer once you remove it from the old one, because Microsoft's terms for stand-alone software allow moving it to another device you own, but a preinstalled OEM licence stays with the computer it came with.
The OEM terms say the licence can only be transferred to another user together with the licensed device. In practice, this means a laptop's built-in Windows licence cannot be moved to your new desktop.
Terms differ in some countries. Microsoft's licence notes that the transfer section does not apply where the software was acquired in Germany or certain listed countries, where local law applies instead.
How do I know if my Windows licence is retail or OEM?
Open Command Prompt and run slmgr /dli, which needs no administrator rights and changes nothing, and read the Description line in the window that appears, because it contains RETAIL for a retail licence, OEM for a manufacturer or system builder licence, and VOLUME for an organisation's volume licence.
If you bought a key separately from a shop, it is retail or OEM depending on how it was sold, and the product name or invoice usually says which. A Windows licence that came on a branded laptop is usually OEM.
We explain all three channels in more depth in OEM vs retail vs volume licence keys.
What is a digital licence, and how does it affect a transfer?
A digital licence is the activation record Windows creates on Microsoft's activation servers, linked to your device's hardware and optionally to your Microsoft account, which lets Windows reactivate automatically on the same PC after a reinstall and lets you use the Activation troubleshooter when you move to new hardware.
Microsoft's reactivation after a hardware change guide shows how to check the link. In Settings, System, Activation, the message "Windows is activated with a digital licence linked to your Microsoft account" confirms it is linked. If the message does not mention your account, add it before you move.
Cause and effect: the digital licence is tied to the hardware ID of the old PC. When the motherboard changes, the hardware ID changes too, so Windows treats the new machine as unlicensed until you reactivate.
How do I transfer a retail Windows licence to a new PC?
To transfer a retail licence, find your product key, remove the licence from the old PC, install the same edition of Windows on the new PC and activate it with the same key or the Activation troubleshooter, because the licence terms require the old PC to stop using it first.
Step 1: Prepare the old PC
- Find your 25-character product key in your order email. The full key cannot be read back from an activated PC with Microsoft's own tools.
- Check that your Microsoft account is linked in Settings, System, Activation.
- Back up your files.
Step 2: Remove the licence from the old PC
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Run
slmgr /upkto uninstall the product key. Microsoft notes the PC becomes unlicensed after a restart. - Run
slmgr /cpkyto clear the key from the registry.
Advanced nuance: slmgr /upk works on the old PC itself, removing the key so that machine is no longer licensed with it. Microsoft's activation servers then see the key on new hardware, which is why the linked Microsoft account or phone activation is sometimes needed to confirm the move.
Step 3: Install and activate on the new PC
- Install the same edition of Windows on the new PC, using official media from Microsoft.
- Go to Settings, System, Activation, select Change product key and enter your key.
- If activation fails, select Troubleshoot, choose "I changed hardware on this device recently", sign in with the linked Microsoft account and select the device you are using.
Our Windows 11 Pro installation guide covers a clean install in detail, and the same steps apply to Windows 10.
What if online activation fails after the transfer?
If online activation fails after a transfer, the usual next step is phone activation: open Command Prompt as administrator, run slui 4, choose your country and follow the automated instructions, then enter the confirmation ID you receive, which is common when a retail key was previously used on another PC.
The most frequent errors during a transfer are these:
- 0x803FA067 – Windows detected new hardware. See our 0x803FA067 fix guide.
- 0xC004C008 – the key has reached its activation limit. See our 0xC004C008 fix guide.
- 0xC004F050 – the key does not match the installed edition, for example a Pro key on Home.
What we commonly see in support is customers entering a Pro key on a new laptop that shipped with Home. Microsoft's guidance is that the edition must match, so either upgrade Home to Pro with the key or install Pro from official media.
Can I reuse Windows after replacing my motherboard?
Yes, a retail Windows licence can usually be reactivated after a motherboard replacement using the "I changed hardware on this device recently" troubleshooter option, but an OEM licence is tied to the original motherboard, so the replacement is normally treated as a new PC that may need a new licence.
If an OEM PC's motherboard was replaced as a repair, contact the device maker first, because support for OEM licences comes from the manufacturer or system builder rather than from Microsoft.
In our experience, smaller upgrades such as a new graphics card or extra RAM are far less likely to trigger reactivation than a motherboard change.
Do I need a new licence for my new PC?
You need a new licence if your current Windows licence is OEM, if you want to keep using the old PC, or if the new PC needs a different edition, because a retail licence can only be active on one PC at a time and new branded PCs usually include their own OEM licence.
If you do need a key, a retail Windows 11 Pro licence keeps the option to transfer again in future. Compare all editions in our Windows 11 collection.
Keep your order email with the key. It is the simplest way to find the key again for the next transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use one Windows key on two computers?
No, a single retail Windows key licenses one PC at a time. You may move it to a new PC after removing it from the old one, but you cannot run both at once. Attempts to activate more PCs usually end with error 0xC004C008, because the key has reached its activation limit.
Does a Windows 10 retail key work on Windows 11?
A PC upgraded in place from activated Windows 10 to Windows 11 normally keeps a digital licence for the matching edition, so Home stays Home and Pro stays Pro. Using a Windows 10 key for a fresh Windows 11 install is not formally documented, so the safest choice is a key for the version you install.
How do I find my Windows product key?
Your product key is in the order email from the seller, or on the label or card supplied with a boxed copy. Microsoft's tools only show the last five characters of an installed key, so keep the original email. A preinstalled OEM licence is usually stored in the PC's firmware.
Do I have to uninstall Windows from the old PC?
Microsoft's licence terms say you must remove the software from the prior device when you transfer it. You can do this by uninstalling the key with slmgr /upk, by wiping the drive, or by installing a different licensed copy of Windows on the old PC before selling or reusing it.
Will my apps and files move with the licence?
No, transferring the licence moves only the right to run Windows. Apps and files stay on the old PC. Copy your files with an external drive or cloud storage, and reinstall your apps on the new PC. Licensed apps such as Office may need their own transfer steps.