Transfer Windows 10 To New Motherboard & CPU + Digital License Transfer

[@grokshop]

Note: During the initial "prep" phase, if you don't find your HDD / SSD controller under "IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers", look instead for "Storage controllers". If its under "Storage controllers", the standard controller you want to change to (before doing the upgrade) is called "Standard SATA AHCI Controller".

[@sithus1966]

Did exactly this, changed storage controller. Replaced motherboard, new chip, ram, and GPU. Fired up, got bios screen, and then, away she went. And it did ask for the number, took the Win 7 number for the Win 10 upgrade without hesitation.

[@coltraindontworryboutit9990]

This dude makes it seem impossible. All I had to do was manually swap mobos and turn on pc....

[@savagrplayz4364]

Do you keeps your apps if you switch?

[@novajaylen5296]

You prolly dont give a damn but does any of you know a tool to get back into an instagram account..? I somehow forgot my password. I would love any assistance you can offer me.

[@hankcooper7124]

@Nova Jaylen instablaster ;)

[@bobsuruncle6690]

YES ! It worked. Followed your instructions and it's worked perfectly. Changed motherboard, ram & CPU - firstly, did back up, windows image (Win10) & made rescue disk. Removed all files (Pic's, video, music & documents to an external harddrive) leaving just programs & apps. Then cloned hhd to ssd using AEOMI (tried Macrium but it failed). Removed drivers as per video - yes, check the "Storage Controllers" my drivers were in there ! Power down & removed all parts to new PC. Powered up new PC (to BIOS), selected SSD as boot drive & boooom, up & running & not pestered once about activation (my original licence still intact). Please note: 1: I had an original "retail" copy of Windows 7 which was upgraded to Win 10 2: Sysprep didn't work - tried but it failed a number of times. 3: My windows 7/10 is linked to an old email address but I didn't even have to log in to re-activate. 4: I did extensive research into my PC parts and made sure they were all 100% compatible. Many thanks my friend, you've turned a very daunting task into a straight forward swop. Bob.

[@ThetaPower]

Very cool. I've been building and upgrading computers since the 4.7Mhz 8088. I did not know about this easy and direct way to move to a new PC. The last time I did this I used Laplink and that messy and expensive. Thank you! I'm building a Rizen 3900X computer tomorrow to replace my 2012 Core i7 6 core 4.2GHz machine. It's time.

[@hongockimquang1994]

Wow sir, how did it go? I'm on MSI B460 and upgrading to Asus Z490, not as a massive upgrade as yours but still worrying.

[@Google_Does_Evil_Now]

Omg this works exactly like you said. Microsoft need to make this a feature. So many of us are put off buying a new pc or upgrading because it's such a hassle, lose all your software and settings, have to set everything backup, it can take days. The computer industry is losing a fortune because they're not making upgrading easy like you showed us how. Get a new phone: everything comes across. Get a new PC, you are stuck.

[@buten8947]

OMG I LOVE YOU SO SO SO MUCH!!!! i was looking for how to transfer windows 10 but there was error every time i put my key in. But After i watched your video, when u show that sticker, i put it in the windows activation. and it worked!!! I LOVE U SO MUCH I'll sub and like and share. THANK U SO MUCH AGAIN!!!

[@kadensenseless8776]

You put his window key in and it worked?

[@buten8947]

@@kadensenseless8776 nonono i had my own windows key sticker on my prebuilt pc that i got from 4 years ago.

[@kadensenseless8776]

@@buten8947 oh ok😂

[@ejpmonline]

I followed your tutorial using my windows 11 drive and still works like charm. Thanks! Very useful!

[@jiro2085]

This was by far the most simple and informative tutorial. Thank you! Hit that like button!

[@TurboJohn74]

Did I hear some sweet smooth Zero7 there? Thanks a ton for the migration help!

[@BaramuLord]

Very explicit explanation!! Congrats! You where spot on with the comments. Thank you very much! I will try this method for an old W8.1 pc. Hopefully it does work! Keep up the good work!

[@crypt0sFX]

And...

[@chlbrn]

Thanks man, your steps are crystal clear and easy to follow. I am currently moving from Intel Xeon workstation to a new AMD Ryzen rig since my Xeon boost speed is a bit low for some scenarios. I will be following your step as soon as I get components on my hands. BTW, will Windows 10 do the old driver cleaning job for you because I am a little anxious about older drivers and I don't want them to cause conflicts or blue screen.

[@grokshop]

Nice. It does remove the old unneeded drivers, yes.

[@chlbrn]

@@grokshop Thanks again, I just finished installing new rig and surprisingly windows 10 did everything for me like you said. Now I can tweak my new rig without wasting time on OS and data transferring and those tedious tasks.

[@spotieotie]

This vid is excellent brother. THANK YOU.

[@DursunX]

this didn't help my issue.. but the video is very helpful, great presentation 👍🏼

[@AFpaleoCon]

I feel like I’ve been transported back in time 20 years watching this video.

[@WaddedBliss]

Excellent. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a bunch!

[@sublime3688]

Awesome! Thank You. Worked perfectly.

[@rwattersjr]

My process went exactly as described. I finished it off using Acronis True Image to upgrade my smallish SSD boot drive to a 1tb boot drive. My Win7 license key worked as well for the upgrade version of Win10. Thanks!

[@TheMiddleGroundWithBen]

I've always so far done it the even harder way which is to put the new motherboard in the same case which means unplugging everything unscrewing the mounting screws, and xhanging i/o shield. Next time I'm just going to get a new case I think because the drive mounting options are limited in the current one, plus the space is tight.

[@brycehouchen7111]

Saved me SO much trouble!!! Thank you!

[@austinuribe461]

how many of these steps would i have to do if im just changing the mobo?

[@matthewleboeuf1764]

looks like all, that is technically what he did, he didn’t download any gpu drivers

[@BeastOfYCKM]

Great video I’m getting a new motherboard and cpu I was told that if I just do what you did in the video there will be errors and won’t work unless if I uninstall drivers from the previous motherboard.

[@grokshop]

Thanks. For the case where the origin mobo uses a storage controller other than the generic one (as I was explaining in the video), you do indeed need to uninstall that one driver (as I showed in the video). But that is usually the only one because Windows can normally figure out the rest on its own & will actually uninstall the remaining unneeded ones itself.

[@therealpoody7485]

Thanks for this! I was about to just straight switch it!

[@MharcHadrianUdasco]

Thank you bery much for this video sir, this will be very helpful to me cause evwrytime i did upgrade, i am reinstalling new os so its very difficult but when i watched this, i will now have an idea what will i doo for the next time upgrade

[@topgunpr]

TOTAL LIFE SAVER!!!!!! thanks for your video!!!!!

[@FrancescoDamianiBach]

Great video! Does this procedure work also for migrating a Windows 7 installation to a new Motherboard? (yes, I checked that the new motherboards has Win7 drivers).

[@DLT8]

thanks saved me so much time and alot of stress relief seems pretty ez

[@oliweea]

Does it work with OEM windows in a dell machine

[@MrDrainDoc]

Just curious if this would also apply to not just switching motherboards, but to include CPU and all together different platform. Specifically going from a Intel 3770k to AMD Ryzen 5600x and of course all corresponding hardware?

[@wallychambe1587]

Bought a new 4X4 M2 drive, cloned it from my old drive (3x4) old motherboard MSI B450, new MSI B550 with 5800X, Booted into windows, found all the drivers, then I installed all the website drivers to be sure and kept all my programs!! Only thing it said it wasn't activated (because of new hardware) I decided just to get a new key for $12.82 because I didn't want to jump through hoops to get it activated again.😁😁 Using old Vid card RX480,FPS went up from 65FPS on B450 to 85FPS in Heaven benchmark on B550 board! Tried to use old key ( didn't copy when I bought it) but it kept saying MS servers were down??)

[@MoonHaze_exe]

Great video but I have a question. If I have an OEM license linked to my Microsoft account will it active on my new motherboard?

[@mudpanther6079]

Quick one on my ide ata controllers I have the following ATA channel 0 ATA channel 0 ATA channel 1 ATA channel 1 Standard duel channel PCI IDE controller Standard duel channel PCI IDE controller Do I need to change the top 4 ata to standard Or do I uninstall the top 5? Thanks mate

[@rakeshbarui4042]

Great tutorial video Sir…

[@musek5048]

tomorrow i will be swapping out my intel cpu, mobo and ram to a b450 with ryzen setup. do i need to be connected to the internet to do this method? or do you recommend I keep the computer offline until it updates itself with whatever comes preinstalled as far as drivers go?

[@Mystxry]

is there anyway to NOT have to re-activate windows? i bought it sooooo long ago so i no longer have the code.

[@Balthazar2242]

I believe there is a way to link a Microsoft Account to your Windows in order to transfer it.

[@ReduRecords]

you can do the registryfile trick. Just search on youtube for "Find you Windows License Registry File". Then you just Copy it somewhere on a stick or smth. Then after you done the procedure you simply open up that registry file. (Doubleclick on it) and it will add it to the registry of your migrated windows. Now you should be good to go. You maybe have to reboot after that.

[@frankgrogan2182]

@@ReduRecords Download Magic Jellybean.

[@lamar9525]

Thank you I've been trying to figure this out since XP! LOL!

[@grokshop]

Glad I could help!

[@rakeshbarui4042]

I have watched this entire video but I can’t find my solution…My situation is I have used Windows 10 Home (Purchased Retail License) in a Acer Aspire 3 laptop but due to the laptop become slow, so I decided to send the laptop to a E-waste agency, but I forget to remove the product key from that laptop and build an assembled desktop. Now I want to use that original license which I used my Acer system. Please tell me a suitable solution…I am waiting for your reply. Thank you.

[@Naderade]

Thanks for the video, before I do this will I need to uninstall my windows license key for this?

[@MenWhoStareAtGames]

yes

[@edwardfarndon9773]

Good video, thanks.

[@portman8909]

But how do I transfer my windows 10 to a completely new build not using the same storage.

[@savagrplayz4364]

Do you keep all of your apps and stuff when you transfer?

[@cordzMIX]

WOW THANKS!

[@yumpinyiminy963]

Very nicely done👍. I am upgrading a Windows 10 OEM computer with a new Mobo, CPU and memory. I have a few questions if you can help me out? Q-1 I checked my IDE controllers. All set to ATA for channel 0 and 1. All others are Standard. Storage devices is "Microsoft Storage Spaces Controller". Does this mean my "key" should work OK? Q-2 Should I download all the drivers for the new hardware before the upgrade and don't install - Right? Thanks

[@grokshop]

OEM keys are generally non-transferable. However, I have found some "OEM" keys are actually RETAIL keys. Be sure to check my post here to see how check yours: grokshop.tv/transfer-windows-10-to-a-new-motherboard-cpu/ And you only have to worry about setting the boot drive driver to generic and the new drivers can often be located by the OS, and if not - you can probably upgrade them later.

[@yumpinyiminy963]

@@grokshop I got a pretty nice help doc on the MS website on how to move a digital license that mine was converted to. 1st step is to login to your windows account instead of a local account. The rest is explained in the document.

[@Jeesooification]

This is going to help greatly. The thing is, I lost my windows product box... Is there a way I can find my windows license number again?

[@mobuttah138]

Yes look at a video it has something to do with cmd prompt

[@NitroU-]

You can also run a free for personal use program called Belarc Advisor. It will give you your Windows License and many others. Big enterprises use this software, but they have to pay for it.

[@sozonpv]

Bought a used PC that had win10 enterprise wiped. Win11 will not activate with my old win 7 pro retail. Can i obtain the previous BIOS enterprise 10 key and re-install windows 10 enterprise?

[@onemon22]

I keep getting blue screen with error code 0xc000000e when starting up. When hit F8 or enter nothing happens. When I hit ctrl alt delete windows will then load. I have to do this every fu%n time. Your thoughts.

[@leahbarrantes9347]

This is a great video but I am not sure if its going to work with my situation. I have an old pre built pc which had pre installed windows 7. The old pc is not booting which is why I plan to buy a whole new set up. (Old AMD to new AMD PC) Will I be able to do same thing as instructed on the video without doing unistallation since the old pc is not accessible?

[@grokshop]

Well if it won't boot on the old box, it most likely won't boot on another, so a direct transfer of the HDD like I did here is probably out. But as far as the license goes... if you had Windows 7 & it was not upgraded to Windows 10, you would only be able to transfer the license if it was not an OEM license. Check my blog post for how you can check the license: grokshop.tv/transfer-windows-10-to-a-new-motherboard-cpu/ Windows 7 doesn't support the digital license thing.

[@QuickVibe1]

so this is only if you first installed windows 7 and upgraded to windows 10 - if you had windows 10 from the start, this isn't needed, correct?

[@grokshop]

There could be subtle differences if you had win10 from the start vs a win10 that is from an upgrade of win7. The license transfer part could be a little different, for example. The driver thing will be the same.

[@AKmumu]

My motherboard died so before putting money into a new one I wanted to switch it with another one I have from a 2017 build, my current pc ran window 10 but the old motherboard was on a window 7 pc, will I encounter problems?

[@carthoughtswithdan]

Thank you for this

[@vaidisius12]

Is this the same if I'm only changing my Motherboard if nit can u make a video how to do it? Thx

[@Synapticjr]

so are you able to download windows 10 on an external hard drive and it will boot up the PC?

[@lawless6700]

Desperately need help upgraded my power supply and mother board and im seeing all of my old files is the asus bios thing but cant find the sd card where i downloaded the upgrade

[@macster1457]

doesn't this image save all files and settings which contain the old motherboard's chipset? - by reloading Windows 10 image, you're essentially back at square 1, so you might as well just kept the same image you had.

[@marki2325]

Windows will pick up new drivers automatically and install as needed. You can then remove via add remove option all unwanted drivers.

[@cocoviper]

You can also load the image as a virtual hard disk in Disk Management and grab individual files as needed if the image can’t restore.

[@D00M3R_MAVS]

Installed a new board and cpu a few days ago. Got stuck in the BOIS for like 2 hours (my copy of windows is digital and did not have a copy to load up) strangely enough (using an Asus MOBO) I told the BIOS to download their RGB HUB, and then the machine booted from my existing copy of windows from my old build. I thought I was going to have to take back apart6 again, rebuild my old system and then get windows and start again.

[@markw208]

If this works it would be a lifesaver. In 2012 I purchased from Autodesk Product Design Suite Premium, for let’s say $$$$. I also paid for the annual subscription for another ~$2500/year. In 2021 Autodesk announced an end to that software model. Now there are no new perpetual licenses, only pay for the rest of your life software. Up until that time I could download each and all of the annual versions (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021). I paid for them but now Autodesk says my perpetual license is only for the last year, 2021. My old 3930K system was hot dog 10 years ago but time has taken a toll on that system. Sorry to tell such a long story 😢 but all this boils down to, I can build a new system and download the 2021 version, but none of the previous versions and their special features. If I could transfer my 3930K system SDD to a new Intel gen 12 CPU system it would be absolutely fantastic 🌈 . Sorry for the long sob 😭 story. But thanks for your video and procedure

[@DrZipZwan]

You are hopong the same he does in the video is gona work. Any feedback ?? It is kind of taking a Image of Disc and pasting it on a new Disk, expect here also MotherBoard is changed, and I remember Windows activation is liked to the MotherBoard. I guess your AutoDesk product activation works close to that way. In the case of Windows , if that works to transfert the activation, after I would run the system just to try bind activating to my Microsoft account and add PC, if that keep and works great. Then gona format, case system gona be instable, at the end , an Image not gona properly works on another system, there gona be drivers issues, so better go fresh start. Can you give any feedbakc please?? Thx

[@riffdex]

Can you use this method to transfer a windows OEM license to a new build?

[@rencosvorcina8472]

Great, thanks

[@SoTrue144]

How do I restore using the backup image if I had to clean install windows

[@FeelsLikeSunshine]

I forgot to make the hard disk controller generic to windows before moving the SSD into the new tower, will there be any issues if I do this after the fact?

[@mbigike]

what can i do if my mother board that has w10 activated doesnt work nothing?

[@dogebond6960]

Get a new one

[@mbigike]

@@dogebond6960 new what? motherboard or new w10

[@lonestarglover420]

Wire management pleaseeee lol Great video though!!

[@stun3282]

If I don’t have my old windows key can I put in a new one, activate windows, and still have all my old data?

[@quantumdripz1575]

I need the answer

[@powerinnumbers6159]

those windows 8 keys inside the windows 8 retail boxes, do they get used when converted to digital license and then cant be used again?

[@the21st63]

I have an external ssd and I am planning to back up on that. Do I just plug in my hard drive into the new motherboard for windows?

[@kadensenseless8776]

I was wondering the same thing

[@shubieify]

Did it work?

[@the21st63]

@@shubieify yes

[@mustaphagh3043]

Ok one question , do i need to backup?? i already have it on my ssd , My plan is to change only the motherboard and cpu , should i follow this method or ?

[@F.A.--]

Yeah ,me too, I'm about to change my motherboard cpu and ram. What happened?

[@mustaphagh3043]

@@F.A.-- i reinstalled the windows

[@mhurricane266]

@@mustaphagh3043 just reinstalled it off a thumb drive like when it’s first built?

[@jakenelson8286]

Does this work if I wanted to keep my drives and just upgrade MOBO and CPU? I'm real confused on the best way to do this.

[@cmcristian46]

I recently changed my mobo and cpu to. (Megx570 & ryzen 9). Now I’m getting a black screen with a blinking underscore. Any help would be appreciated !

[@grokshop]

Was that after following this procedure? And was it working and then black screening or it was never working at all?

[@cmcristian46]

The Grok Shop My computer was not booting to windows. Meg x570 ace is unable to detect an m2 SATA in slot number one, I figured out that if you have an m2 SATA, u need to install it in slot 2 in order for it to be read in this mother board

[@Ravitas3]

Sadly it isn't work like that for me. When i change my motherboard, i was not able to boot Window anymore. I was stuck in the bios...and because i was stupid instead to take the product key i took the product ID. When i tried to install a new Window, the installer said that i has to format my SSD with window. Idk what i have to do, i dont want to buy a new product key

[@ianthethird420]

do you need to delete old drivers?

[@eemiiiil90]

I tried doing like this, it seemed to work fine at first, i logged into windows like normal and everything. But then the computer started restarting itself like every 5 -10 minutes.. Ive tried reinstall windows but because it restarts the installation is cancelled.. Any ideas what to do? I switched back to the old motherboard for now and it works fine.

[@fireman10002000]

I just replaced my mobo, cpu, cooler, and RAM. Bios sees all drive, including my previous boot drive but when I try to boot from it all I get is a black screen with a white cursor. I have an additional empty drive that I did a fresh OS install just to get up and running. I can see the original drive and see all my files via explorer. I need to be able to boot from my original drive. Any help is appreciated. Sorry for the lack of detail, I’m currently visually impaired.

[@mikecrad29]

The motherboard (mb) on a desktop PC I built got fried during a power surge (even though it was plugged into a HD well known, brand name surge protector/UPS/battery backup) earlier this month. I should be receiving a new mb next week, hopefully the same make and model. However, the version of Windows 10 Pro that I installed, from a DVD I purchased from a reputable retailer, is an OEM version, not retail. So, will this method still work? My understanding is that an OEM version is intricately tied to the hardware, specifically the motherboard. According to information on the Microsoft and other sites, an OEM license can't be transferred if the mb dies.

[@Ro-Bucks]

I got a new cpu ram mobo combo and a $30 OEM win10 lic and stuck it on my old setup while waiting for my combo to show up, im screwed I think. If I'm lucky its because I'm using an old H55 chipset one a no name china board that has no info and my computer has no idea what the main board is lol, says to be fill in by manuf..... And under hardware manager it says "Standard SATA AHCI Controller" naturaly.

[@CAesuoMykcM]

I need some help or advise, how ever you want to put it as. So I am switching my Mobo and CPU from an i7 6700K to a Rysen 7 CPU. Technically I am upgrading from an Intel CPU and an Asus z170 Mobo. My new Mobo is a MSI B550. Those two components are the only ones I am changing. I have 16GBs Corsair dominator DDR4 ram, a GTX 1080 GPU and a Samsung 500 GBs SSD. This is t he first time I'm making this type of switch, and dont know what issues I can run into. Any help will be appreciated.

[@cptbeefycheeks]

Do you have to unlink your digital license on the old motherboard prior to shutting down, or will the "image" have that stored and just need re-entered when booting with the new motherboard?

[@cptbeefycheeks]

@Fuzzilololoee i did created an image like above, unlinked the license (make sure you have your digital key), swapped out the mobo, booted up and it was like i never left. Just had to enter the license key and I was good to go!

[@adamb6789]

Nice video. My issue is my mobo which is AMD chipset seems to be fried and I never got a chance to reset the controller. I'm getting a new machine with a Xeon processor and I would like to be able to do this. Is there a workaround to this? What about possibly to set the drive as a slave temporarily and delete the driverstore folder drivers which have the mobo drivers that just went bad and copy over the default drivers from a Windows 10 image? I don't want to have to re-install again What about attempting to boot into safe mode since it would install with basic drivers and maybe fix the driver issues? Just trying to explore all options.

[@grokshop]

Yeah that is a tough one. I don't know if your ideas will work, sorry. Make a backup first, if possible, before you try. If you need to reinstall, do it on a new drive of course, so you can at least salvage your data from the current install.

[@deathvfx6682]

i want to just swap my motherboard,having the same hdd and ssd,will this method work just fine?

[@midnightprince]

Yes

[@ferdiiman6751]

i was wandering did you swap it? does it work? im planning to do it but im also changing the ram and graphics card but the same hdd and ssd

[@midnightprince]

@@ferdiiman6751 It works, just put your boot drive in first, then install all the new drivers and stuff. Power off and install the other hdd. Oh and don't forget you need to buy a new windows 10 pro key. It's $3 on ebay

[@ferdiiman6751]

@@midnightprince thx

[@midnightprince]

@@ferdiiman6751 yw

[@thunderdomer3631]

I actually didn't understand the method properly. I have 3 hdd in my pc, now i'm upgrading to a new motherboard. In 1 hdd i have my windows installed on it, i.e C drive and i dont have any important files on C drive, i'm ready to do this without any backup fr C drive as i dont have any important files on it. In my case where should i start? And what are the steps i need to go through?

[@rektcity5784]

Hi, got 2 x nvme storages. Moving both to a brand new system. 1 is for OS, 2nd is for files/games storage. Does this work for nvme drives? and, is there anything else I should be aware of before I put both the nvme drives before booting my new system? Ty!

[@ghazianammarfauzyx-e1577]

Bassicaly its okay if we change motherboard atleast we have the same storage that also attached with the old motherboard??

[@tylorlyman]

How do I activate windows if I don’t have the key? I got my windows installation from my step brother who got 5 free windows 10 copies in college that he kept on a flash drive and I got the last copy so idk if he still has the key or not

[@balinttotfalusi7426]

If I have an SSD with win10 on it (I didn't buy a key and I wasn't planning to either) and I want to change my motherboard and CPU, GPU then do I have to do something or is it going to boot up with windows?

[@jimmyisherenow]

You are installing the power supply all wrong. You always want the fan pointing down. You are just pulling hot air straight in the case.

[@niajef]

im still currently running win 7 on intel, but im building amd, and new components only support win 10, so i have to upgrade. should i upgrade first then switch, or switch then upgrade? and if i switch first, since the new components dont support win 7, what would happen if i try to run it? can i even get to the point of upgrade?

[@invxrt]

Instead of using my old drive for Windows 10 can I use the tool to install windows onto the new machine then somehow transfer the license after?

[@grokshop]

You should be able to just do the install, and then attempt to transfer the license with no risk. As long as its a retail license you should be g2g. But if it fails, you haven't lost anything.

[@amiarafe]

I upgraded from a windows 7 install and now can't find the key. I do have the upgrade tied to my microsoft account though. I didn't think you had to re-enter the key. Can windows account do this for me? BTW, when i log into windows account, the hdd i want to move to new build has my current motherboard in the details. Does this make it harder to move off this motherboard to a new motherboard build?

[@abadmiah4906]

what if you dont have windows activated like you have the like watermark down the bottom right?

[@brandskiii5296]

What do I do if my only windows version is an upgrade from Windows 7 so I dont have a product key?

[@sibeno5793]

So, I am upgrading my motherboard, CPU, and Ram, is there anything really important I need to do before actually replacing the parts? Sorry for the really broad question

[@MikeJustice1993]

You're doing the same thing as I am! I'm doing a fresh install from a USB onto my new PC. I think this is a good idea mainly because the drivers for your motherboard will be completely different than your old motherboard with your old C drive. I'm formatting all of the drives that I can from my old PC using the Windows installer. I've made a list of all of my installed programs, downloaded the windows installer onto a USB, downloaded the drivers for my new motherboard, and backed up all of my files onto an external drive. I also used a program to get my WIndows 10 Key (kzbin.info/www/bejne/raC9Z2t8orihp5Y; this guy has a powershell script that you can run to get it). After that, you'd just do what this guy did to disable the key on your current rig, then use the product key you ripped earlier and put it on your new PC. Reinstall programs, install drivers, set up windows how you like it, etc.

[@mikhailvershinin2292]

What if I have a pirated copy on my computer??? Can I buy a key and still do this?

[@DevOnVPN]

So this can work for me if I use my SSD instead, but I bought my rig 3rd party with windows 7 Pro installed( I upgraded to Windows 10 no problem). I checked and its a retail license but I don't have the product key. I messaged the seller, but if I can't get a hold of the product key from him am I SOL with the transfer?

[@mommaeltala]

Okay I bought my pc from someone else I know whats the product key but I gound it in system information can it still work?

[@spxntry9901]

Ok I am upgrading my motherboard ram and CPI my windows product key is linked to my account and the hhd is good what do I have to do next

[@unnamed715]

Now, here's my issue...I want to move my SSD from an Intel based system, to an AMD system. Will this process still work?

[@grokshop]

It should still work. I haven't done that yet, so it would be great if you could post up a follow-up!

[@ELSTINKO.]

Did this work for you?

[@unnamed715]

@@ELSTINKO. Yeah, it worked. Just be sure to uninstall any Intel drivers and registry components by Intel before moving the drive over to your other PC. :)

[@GoblinCommisar]

So if I’m just upgrading my cpu then the first 2 steps should set me up ?

[@matthewrohde4198]

Does this work if my copy of Windows 10 came on USB?

[@sozonpv]

After September 29, 2023 Microsoft no longer honors windows 7 or windows 8 keys unfortunately. At least I confirmed this did not work with Windows 11. I'll try again tonight with Windows 10 to confirm. I was told by a Microsoft phone rep it "might" work but of course he encouraged me to buy a license.

[@BagheeraRaceGamer]

so after I input the key (from original hardware), the license is TRANSFERRED to the new hardware? I'm thinking I might need a major upgrade next year or something.

[@grokshop]

In a sense it is. I don't have any insider knowledge on exactly how they handle it, but based on the various pieces of surrounding information, I deduce they are keeping a database (DB) which ties licenses to machine markers / identifiers. When you go through the transfer process like I showed, they pull these markers from the OS and send them to that DB. The actual markers used and the data format would be a closely held secret. That DB will contain additional info like the license type, how many seats are available, to whom it is registered, etc. Every now and then, the OS will likely "phone home" to the "mother ship" to see if all the particulars for its license are in order & if they are not, you will get the nags, etc. This is a fairly common model used throughout the SW world nowadays.

[@joeb2650]

What if your old motherboard died tho and you cant turn your pc on?

[@aaaaaaaaaaaaaa1645]

So if I plan on replacing my motherboard and processor for my rig I should do everything that was done in the video that took place on a pc like in the settings and all that

[@grokshop]

Follow this video if you want to avoid having to reinstall Windows 10.

[@gregortv3251]

it is okay if they not same chips? like i install windows 10 in AMD or Intel Pentium and i transfer the harddrive in Intel I3?

[@grokshop]

Should be fine.