Do You Need a Windows Key When Upgrading a PC?

www.keysfan.com/windows-11-professional-key.html?ksf=vzac88
(Code: ZAC50

[@ZachsTechTurf]

www.keysfan.com/windows-11-professional-key.html?ksf=vzac88 (Code: ZAC50

[@shadow_sh1746]

first

[@Micro-Lander]

Win 11 🤢🤢🤢

[@hibiv8844]

@@davidman0AFAIK most likely stolen keys. Which have the potential to be deactivated by microsoft at a later point

[@jackblack5393]

Hi Zach, big fan. I have a lot of questions for you but this one is on topic... If the system install SSD retains the activation key when put in a new mobo, can you carry one with you and say, use it as a portable boot drive for other computers? For example going to your friends house, plugging in your SSD, setting it as the boot drive - would that essentially give you access to your regular system, just with different specs?

[@dfskipper]

Hey @ZachsTechTurf i have 3 windows keys on 3 different ssd drives, and i can boot fomr any of them. I dont think ive had a problem changing from motherboard to motherboard. unrelated is there a easy way to transfer a key to a new ssd since the once they are on is quite old and only 250 gbs

[@TheHaloM112]

Digital key is goated until you forget which account you have it on

[@OrdinaryAsianGuy]

You won't forget it if you don't have it 😈

[@kendsplaining]

then you use MAS to activate for free

[@gwop827]

Why do you need more than one Microsoft account tho?

[@CrispyX23]

​@@gwop827 exactlly

[@Bljat69]

​@@kendsplainingwhat is MAS?

[@TrustBiripudigha]

It actually depends on the type of key. OEM keys will bind to the motherboard where as retail keys can be transferred. You want a Retail key. Anyone know where to get Retail keys?

[@LittleDTGamer]

Vendafly

[@TrustBiripudigha]

@@LittleDTGamer Thx!!

[@HX_0]

Are the keys on keysfan not retail?

[@IsaacGould-gd7oz]

@@HX_0 No they're OEM

[@bitze865]

​@HX_0 retail are the 100€+ keys the oem are as cheap as 12€ so if you don't intent to upgrade 8-10 times oem is cheaper

[@hardtosee8145]

Makes me remember an old video where Linus get crazy at Microsoft because he keep constantly changing pc part (SSD, mainboard, CPU) until one time the key doesn’t activate anymore.

[@asagiai4965]

I wonder who is the bright mind on Microsoft that think this is a good idea? And don't have some sort of backup verification process.

[@countrymanWayne]

Ok... I didn't understand anything, does anyone know where to get a key for Windows 11 Pro?

[@healerslighthelen]

heyy i ended up getting mine from BNH software. hope that’s helpful for you!

[@countrymanWayne]

Thank you, it really helped me. I thought it was going to be more complicated.

[@harristhethird5056]

Microsoft activation scripts

[@tromboneguy1812]

Bot

[@manu55pool]

@@healerslighthelen It was also very helpful to me. thank you so much.

[@osamabadawi7036]

"(KMS)" *Laughing at the corner* 😂

[@starinthesky8663]

Ahahaha

[@Osukar]

“Your PC as a node of several botnets” Laughing at the corner

[@DroolingDrilling]

@@Osukaris this proven? I’ve heard that the GitHub project is legit and used by tens of thousands of people and no issues have been found.

[@patrickbennett4043]

​@@Osukarluckily the most popular scripts are opensource and posted on github, so no botnets

[@TheSayed]

​@@OsukarAgreed. Piracy is guaranteed security issues on your system.

[@Nitrogen64YT]

“Do what you want cause a pirate is free, you are a pirate”

[@escapetherace1943]

or you use FOSS software like Linux which is better than windows

[@asbeltrion]

@@escapetherace1943 I use Arch, btw.

[@aallfik11]

​@@escapetherace1943yeah, unless you want to use Photoshop or not have to go through hoops to play some games and run some software. I love Linux, but saying it's a perfect alternative is a lie. It can do a lot of things that windows can't, but it goes the other way, too

[@b_bbasil]

@@escapetherace1943 linux is better than windows in every way but gaming

[@a_kta]

@@escapetherace1943 linux user try not to say they use linux challenge (impossible)

[@JohnsonJohnsonJohnson-j6r]

Just to clear up some stuff. When switching parts, the key will eventually not work because the key is assigned to the activated pc and changing parts can cause it to deactivate. You can call up Microsoft support and they'll transfer over the key or reactivate it (not sure since I've never done it) but they will only do this for a few times before they just say "buy a new key"

[@mattevans1643]

I'm not sure what the limit is, but yeah, they just activate it on the new computer.

[@nostrum6410]

switched videocards and they wanted me to buy another. now I rarely use windows and will never buy a key again

[@o0Silverwolf0o]

I just swapped out every single part when I went from am4 to am5 except the aio and case fans which I transfered to the new case, the OS drive was also. Installed a fresh copy of windows 11 I downloaded from Microsoft and put on a thumb drive. Windows activated as soon as I logged into my Microsoft account. I've also upgraded the cpu once and gpu twice with the same key when I was on am4. So no idea what it would take to require the purchase of a new key.

[@Rancid_Ninja]

Switched mobos and it actived on the new Mobo on 10, then upgraded that one to 11. Then built the old Mobo with crappier parts and it was also activated on 10 and upgraded to 11 and both work fine... Shrug

[@ckingc05]

You don’t. All long as it’s the same account You can activate it and somewhere there’s a setting under “I changed my hardware” that lets you choose your old pc’s license. I went from AM4 to 5 and kept my license

[@LouMosin]

I never purchased a Windows key in my life and neither should you, look up how to activate Windows with CMD and you're golden

[@Plssubscribe379]

How do you do that?

[@Plssubscribe379]

And do you know if keysfan is legit?

[@Stunami4]

​@@Plssubscribe379i can vouch, both my keys (W10 pro) worked perfectly fine

[@robenperez4185]

@@Plssubscribe379Look up “massgravel” it is open source and really easy to do

[@t0fuu957]

@@Plssubscribe379even if it is don’t use it when you can just run a command, look up mass grave windows activation and you should be able to find the steps to activate it, and this method is completely trustworthy even Microsoft uses this when people are having activation issues

[@Cptn_Nova]

Here in Austria you can get a windows 11 key for 3 Euros (3.25$) So the PC building shops in Germany and Austria are booming. My Windows 11 Pro key costed 3 Euro and worked as normal

[@gilangx5]

It probably use an OEM key

[@gilangx5]

In my country online marketplace, you can even get a Windows 10 key for a dollar

[@anonym23785]

Bei welchem shop hast du windows 11 gekauft

[@mrchadstuff7517]

Are they grey market or whatever you call them keys?

[@bernardshum2719]

It is simply because Win 7 keys generally stick on the case of enterprise PCs is valid. And most companies had their own enterprise KMS. So most of those keys were never being used over its whole life cycle. Those keys can be used for Windows 10 until very recently that MS states that they official ceased free win7 upgrade. So moving forward, those super cheap win 10 keys would be over. But those roughly costs 10~15 euro might possibly stay forever as I believe those were actually wholesale price of keys and MS knows that you cannot get official tech support. So although those are legit, it is pretty much no cost for MS but still a profit to sell some.

[@FrEffectsIntroforOffer24]

And thanks to this system, I can still use the key from my first custom PC, which was still Windows 7 at the time.

[@AltruisticWarrior]

Same! Tbf, I bought the retail version of windows 7 which is transferable. Some other types are not.

[@InfamousAMH]

The answer is simple, but the internet won't tell you it straight for some reason. You can just transfer your old storage device, or use minitool partition wizard to clone all of your data to a new one, then use it on a new motherboard and it will just simply work since the active key is within windows itself, not the motherboard.

[@modernkangal]

Nirsoft produkey

[@MarksterC]

Can confirm as I just did this to a blown up HP

[@nicowolters8959]

Or if you have an Samsung ssd you can use their Tool

[@patrickchen2878]

That is not entirely true, the key is definitely in the bios as well, as long as it is a UEFI bios, if it is a laptop, even legacy bios stores it. That’s how when you reinstall OS after formatting the drive, windows stays activated, even without logging into MS account. But as the video explained, there are many dimensions to reactivation, if you move the old drive to another system, there is a high chance you will lose activation if too many hardware changed, usually cpu+MB, it had happened to me many many times.

[@modernkangal]

@@patrickchen2878 nirsoft produkey Google it, memorise it and never struggle again

[@VibrantRaven]

Just to clear a few things up here regarding the activiation keys. It's crucial here to know which type of key you've bought when discussing compatibility with hardware changes. If you have an OEM key, it's directly linked to your motherboard. This essentially means that you can use the key as many times as you want, swapping out parts etc, but the motherboard has to stay as is. On the other hand, if you've bought a retail key, the flexibility here is a bit different. You're free to change all parts without limit, including the motherboard, without encountering an activation issues. Although, instances of encountering problems here is relatively uncommon, should you face any issues, reaching out to MS Support is the only solution.

[@ALEXANDERdk007]

And for normal users, the chance of you hitting the max amount of activation's are very small

[@asagiai4965]

Sorry but retail key acts the same to. Almost. For my experience.

[@powcod7455]

Thank you for finally explaining this. I had a version of windows on my Microsoft account from a crappy laptop I noticed on the pc I built that I could activate windows. Turns out that $60 laptop I bought wasn't a waste after all

[@alphanerd2305]

It used to be, back in the sticker days, the license key was applied to the computer's case, not its contents. So as long as you used the same case, you didn't need to get a new license. OEM licenses weren't transferrable whereas Retail Box licenses were. In this age of digital keys, all that goes out the Window(s).

[@SineN0mine3]

Windows will deactivate any copies used which were not directly purchased from them. This includes 100% of grey market keys. At best these grant temporary access to windows. There is zero recourse once the access has been revoked by Microsoft as the key will be permanently revoked. It's also extremely difficult to get refunds from these sites. If you can't hack windows, or ignore the watermark then it's probably time to look at linux. There's hardly any games that don't run on Proton these days. Steam Deck will be the death of windows gaming and it's been long over due.

[@alphanerd2305]

@@SineN0mine3 I've used grey market keys for years and never had any problems. While it is true these keys are being used in a market for which they were not intended, it's difficult for Microsoft to make that call to revoke a key. But when they do, it doesn't matter if it's grey market or a legit retail box. The only time it's really backfired on them is when they revoked Dell's master key and tried to tell them they needed to get a new one. I don't think that Steam Deck itself will ever garner enough market power to take Microsoft down. That said, I think Microsoft is doing a good enough job themselves at convincing people that Windows is a bad idea. There is no doubt that Valve will shake things up in the gaming sector, so long as they are continuing to port their library into the Linux platform.

[@Gerton999]

Yaay I love Zach videos without proper sponsor labels!

[@ambitagara]

All you can do is "i have changed my hardware recently " option in troubleshooting, in last 6 years, i did it 3 times, and worked like charm

[@SineN0mine3]

Works until it doesn't, then it's a long and painful process with MS support. They'll want to see reciepts unless you really grovel.

[@hovsep56]

happened to me, build a whole new pc which was more than 10 years old, swapped the ssd to the newly build pc but still had to buy a windows key. managed to buy one for 4 bucks tho so it's all good.

[@Topaz_The_First_Gem]

I just used a pirating software called MAS or skethkng

[@madmatt2024]

I've always been able to just re-enter the key and it activates. You can also just click "my hardware has changed" while signed into your MS account and it will give you a list of every Windows key you have on your account. Just pick one and it will activate.

[@hovsep56]

@@madmatt2024 welp, too late now i gues lol.

[@modernkangal]

Nirsoft produkey

[@poondaddy9992]

@@madmatt2024 not always. in my case I had reactivated it after swapping a ram stick, then when my motherboard died I tried to reactivate with a new motherboard and it refused in every way possible. none of the steps you or anyone else listed would work. I even called MS to fix it and they were the most useless customer service I have ever encountered. I had to cannibalize another digital activation I had on an old laptop to make my desktop version work again

[@comptvlee]

I honestly never figured out how this worked -- appreciate the quick answer.

[@ninetenduh]

Microsoft also offers "I have recently changed my hardware" as a troubleshoot Option.

[@SineN0mine3]

I hope youve got time on your hands because that still requires you to speak to a MS rep and beg them to let you keep your access.

[@ninetenduh]

@@SineN0mine3 No?

[@Gammameem]

No I did the same after changing my mobo. Was quite easy, didn't expect it to be so uncomplicated ​@@SineN0mine3

[@adamcrux6829]

I found like 50+ old office PC's in a dumpster a few years back. They where all early 2000's Windows 7 machines so the hardware was useless. But every single one had a OEM Win 7 Pro key on the case. So I went around snapping a pic of the key with my phone then carefully peeling off the stickers. Most ripped that is why I also took a pic. So needless to say I have all the Pro keys I could ever want...

[@baronbrummbar8691]

yep .... and if you are smart you can use them on win 10

[@adamcrux6829]

@@baronbrummbar8691 They work on any version of windows from Win 7 through Win 11. Plus it's the Pro version of what ever OS you install.

[@TeKett]

Microsoft want you to believe you need to buy a new key, but you can use the same key on multiple computers just fine. There is no issue with just activating it again if it for whatever reason gets deactivate. They key is not a one time use. Its just a very simple anti piracy measure.

[@RedPheonix202]

This video is going to save me so much time when I get my first custom build done.

[@the_other1]

Zach can you do the thug shaker?

[@reddeadleisure]

no

[@sebastian_1569]

​@@vijayakumarikumar3920gangnam style

[@lonely.toaster]

Shut up

[@maxboskeljon6440]

Not funny kid

[@shenaniganstuff]

@@maxboskeljon6440who pissed in your cereal

[@atdynax]

I just upgraded my PC and switched to a different motherboard manufacturer. From ASUS to MSI. My Windows 10 was on my M.2. I had to reinstall Windows after reactivation because programs took minutes to load.

[@Sam_LMAO]

Thug shake zach plz 🗣‼️

[@ichisenzy]

Based

[@KokoroKatsura]

@@ichisenzy HUGE ANIME BREASTS

[@davidyoder5890]

It also depends on the type of key you purchased. A retail key can be activated on a limited number of motherboard/CPU combinations, but you can (or used to be able to) revoke previous activations to activate new ones. An OEM key, however, is usually much cheaper but can only be activated once - it lives and dies with the motherboard/CPU combo it was initially activated on. I'm not sure what Windows 11 licensing has introduced that changes this.

[@buffcode]

TPM security keys is what changes this.

[@ALEXANDERdk007]

pretty much the same, now the keys you buy are just connected to your Microsoft account instead of being a key you need to enter

[@duif10]

You can also find the windows key in the registery editor if windows was included with your system, look up a tutorial on how to do that if you need it.

[@jmbwithcats]

Its so much better now, man I remember the days when your windows died you couldnt even back shit up you gotat format windows didnt make an OLD folder, nothin... it took forever back in the 2000s

[@AlexHusTech]

*Microsoft is stupid for making this an issue*

[@ronjones3977]

Ime its no issue pretty sure my Microsoft key is tied to mobo bios which is fair imo....

[@nostrum6410]

@ronjones3977 if you buy windows once, it's fair to make you buy it again?

[@onetwothree-lk2qm]

@@nostrum6410 if you're buying a new motherboard yeah probably not like you get motherboards for free

[@ronjones3977]

@@nostrum6410 its tied to the motherboard bios which sucks if your motherboard dies but barring that I feel it's fair......you pay for windows not once its once for every system u own....all the companies that build computers include windows in the total price for the most part but u still pay for it

[@nostrum6410]

@@ronjones3977 I refuse to pay for the same software twice, especially as there's no real reason to get a key at all. had a video card died and needed a new key

[@wydjayy7]

Just use a free activator you can find source codes for BAT files that do it online

[@slliks4]

Or just crack it for free

[@BIeachDrinker]

Some people might be not a fan of piracy or just like to waste money I'd say, just pirate

[@rnin0723]

Massgravel

[@yellowspike3344]

​@@rnin0723for real, used that command line in like 4 of my builds. Back story behind that command, Microsoft Support Agents used it to fix a customer’s legit key that wouldn’t activate properly

[@v7xgaming]

not paying a dime for that OS, Linux ftw

[@slliks4]

@@v7xgaming sometimes you just have a task that can be done way much easier on windows 😅 That's the only reason I use windows the rest of my daily tasks are done in Xubuntu

[@Just_Call_Me_Tim]

Yeah, I don’t do the whole “log in with Microsoft account”. I don’t trust them with any more than I absolutely have to. Most product keys for Windows are good for 5 uses. You buy one key and can apply it to 5 units. If you’ve bought a key from one of the cdkey websites, that’s exactly how you “get around” having a hardware change. And, it’s usually the CPU being changed that causes the most problems. I upgraded my brother’s machine with a new CPU and had to tank another use of the cd key for it. Worked like a charm!

[@JeffreyPresstonBezos]

Nah, I would buy carterpc doing thugshake than buying a windows key

[@ahmadi2]

With zach

[@andrewvickers6847]

The correct answer is if you bought a OEM license it is permanently attached to the motherboard or prebuilt if you bought on the other hand a retail copy (usually the full 200 for pro) it can be migrated to a new system

[@TheBeardedAtheist]

If you were logged into a Microsoft account and are using the same or a new drive, you can reattach your key by logging in. If it’s a prebuilt, that key goes with that board everywhere.

[@mobitheanthrofox4023]

Did I just see the Montech Sky Two? Underrated PC case

[@tofuchaeng06]

There is one thing that sometimes work: If you have an OEM key, and used it to activate Windows, every time you switch windows 10 or 11 versions, it will remain activated as long one of the components from the removed OS is used in the new OS. This won't work if you used Windows 8.x or earlier

[@patrickazzarella6729]

Thanks for the recommendation! I accidently installed Windows 10 Home instead of Pro and so my activation key didnt transfer over. Got my key and it worked!

[@Lord_LindaThePhilosopher]

You can also just type a few commands into command prompts and it "activates" windows. It unlocks all settings and gets rid if the water mark. Its worked several times for me and its literally A PART OF WINDOWS.

[@plasmatic2287]

Legit upgraded my motherboard a few months ago and I was just sitting on a version of windows that wasn't activated. Huge help man, just linked it to my Microsoft account and I'm all good again.

[@rmsdarckfox]

I literally just had this problem and this is saving me.

[@_Thundrix]

I have used my windows 8 pro key for the past 12 years which i bought directly from microsoft back when they sold upgrade keys for £25. I have reset and upgraded to various versions of windows and no issues whatsoever, it just asks if youve chbaged hardware hit confirm and it just works

[@__-dr5vm]

Depends on the key you get as well. Some keys (OEM) are one-time use while other keys (Retail) are reusable

[@asagiai4965]

This is partially wrong.

[@zushikatetomotoshift1575]

There is a few different types of keys, one is retail key/ They can only be used on one system or be linked to windows account/ OEM key is locked to that device and that key comes with custom windows install, Open key can be used on many pc's and depends what type of open key some have limits and some don't. Some come with terms so read them. Most keys can be linked to microsoft account.

[@blazesaber1383]

Saving this just incase i need it. Planning on doing an upgrade soon and may need it

[@chloeprincess9715]

Fun fact:You can activate any windows through only 3 commands in command prompt.😆😆😆😆

[@alindinca2864]

There are 2 versions of the keys: OEM and Retail. The OEM will link to the motherboard and will not work if you change the motherboard. The one that you want is the Retail, because it can be linked to your Microsoft account and will work with any motherboard, as long as you dont try to use it on multiple PCs at the same time. Once you use it on a new computer, the license deactivates on the old computer.

[@userbunny14]

how do i know if I have an OEM key? I've tried every way of finding my key but I can't tell, so I don't know if I will have to buy it again or not even if I transfer my SSD.

[@alldjp]

You can also get the license key via a command on powershell and apply that to your new system. Activation will fail at first, but immediately when given the option to troubleshoot, windows allows you select an option that basically says "I've changed some hardware on my system." It then asks which system had the license which windows will then re-assign to the new system. For my recent build I did this year, I just took the license key from a factory reset Lenovo Thinkcentre. These always come with an activated copy of Win 10 Pro right off the bat. Assuming you don't abuse the system, Microsoft isn't really a stifler when it comes to activation.

[@asagiai4965]

This is somehow a bad idea or not fail proof. So what if your old system / PC doesn't work anymore? So you lost your way to activate your new Windows?

[@alldjp]

@@asagiai4965 After using this method a few times, I haven't had any issues come up yet. I think the only real problem is if Microsoft cracks down on this workaround. Assuming you activate your PC under a Microsoft account, every activation you've made will show under your devices. So if replace your system, you can select the old system to transfer the license from. Turns out that you don't actually need a license key and the activation troubleshooter is enough to complete this process.

[@yusufstark]

OEM KEY: linked to hardware profile (cheap, meant for 1 time build, sometimes transferable 2 or 3 times at Microsoft's discretion) RETAIL KEY: linked to ms account (Expensive, normally used for your own machine, buy if you plan to upgrade)

[@SoftyBun]

once again, Zach's sponsor integration is flawless and helpful

[@Marc.Google]

Great topic! Thanks for covering this Zach.

[@kishin9]

If you change the motherboard the retail windows key will automatically if you have a internet connection but if you activated the retail windows key to much in a short amount of time you to contact microsoft support but for OEM if they are feeling nice they will let you reuse the key.

[@DevilbyMoonlight]

not always the case, depends on the install media, OEM is tied to the motherboard, retail you can transfer, just replaced a board for someone after fail with the exact same model all other components are the same and it wont activate so had to get a new key.

[@dodo_masterz8849]

So even when you login with a Microsoft Account it will not automaticlly activate. You have to go into Activation in the Settings then click Troubleshoot. It will then say "I recently changed my hardware" or something like that. Click that and then you will see the list od devices already activated. You will see an option say "I am currently using this device". Click on the little box beside it and click "Activate". Correct process of activating Windows via digital license and yes, I am telling this from experience.

[@MorgothCreator]

Microsoft activation ID is a combination of multiple hardware components serial number, depending of the license type, for example mine, I change till now several PC's with the same key, as long as you don't use two pc's at the same time, the key can be ported from a pc to another and you don't do it to often, need to at last create an impression of an upgrade even if is entirely another PC.

[@bobbyking1456]

If you have an old windows laptotop you can link the windows to your account and rip the windows from the laptop, it doesnt work on newer ones though as the key is hardware locked.

[@Sascha969]

Nice to know that I can just transfere my SSD, thank you! But just to be sure I will read my key out before anyway

[@JulLun]

It depends, I had different issues when formatting or changing the motherboard. Twice I had to contact Microsoft support for them to erase my registered hardware.

[@opeltulikylkee7479]

Brother I managed to transfer a windows 10 license from an OEM motherboard to a PC that is different in every single way from motherboad to case even the PSU is different! The only thing that is same is the installation drive, every other part has been changed. No issues either, just worked.

[@Fang.1]

Yeah I have it on my MS Account so I don't need to worry about it. But once I tried logging in on a fresh W11 install and it said my account was locked due to too many login attempts. Someone unsuccessfully tried to get in. Fortunately the setup does let you automatically continue with an offline account and I was able to change my PW. Good on Microsoft for thinking about it.

[@smoguli]

When I built a gaming PC for my son I reused a windows 7 key that was on an old HP pavilion computer (with an AMD Athlon X2 😂 ) and it worked. That key was for an upgrade from XP to win 7 that I bought a long time ago. And it gave him a licensed Win 10 Pro 🎉

[@MrLemonscod3br3ak3r]

Nah. I did the same things recently. All you gotta do is start it like normal, and reenter your product key you got with the first Win11 install to reactivate Win11 through settings.

[@riseabove3082]

I changed out my motherboard from a different brand. Windows had to re-detect the drivers but never asked me to re-activate or anything. Was a total non-issue. From what I know, it's about a number of things you change out that eventually will ask you to re-activate.

[@velja1312]

Windows is funky with their activation servers. As I said in one if your previous shorts, you can get lucky with fully changing the rig and keeping the activation, but you can get unlucky and never be able to activate with that previously used key. Microsoft account nullified the chances of you ever losing the license, at the cost of privacy. Over the last 4.5 years, I've changed HDD's, SSD's, and motherboards, but my license carried on. Only thing that I didn't swap out was the GPU. On the other hand, my sister's laptop did not carry the license over with swapping HDD for SSD, so we had to activate it, and still have to do because the license did not carry on.

[@dvast4942]

I can confirm the key transfers with the HDD/SSD, I've transferred to a whole new computer and no problem

[@LelandHasGames]

The license will NOT always stay when you upgrade your motherboard or alter hardware. In the terms and conditions, there is a clause where, if you alter your hardware, Microsoft has the right to disable your license. That does NOT mean that it will always happen but, it can happen. Especially if it is not linked with an account.

[@R0UGE122]

You could always get a windows 10 key for a lot less and update it to window's 11, but its not guaranteed to give you the update, which would require downloading the update files manually

[@morikushi8082]

I transfered over my OEM Key (the one assigned to the motherboard) from my old laptop to my custom PC. That worked like a charm. But since it was W10H, i upgraded it to W10P with a key i bought for like 3€. Just make sure to only buy RETAIL Keys! Those are meant for customers to carry over to new pcs. OEM Keys are assigned to Hardware and Volume Licenses are for big companys to control the licenses from a central point. So a big no to Volume & OEM Keys!

[@kuneda777]

wait you active your windows? just set your connection to metered and disable update automaticly. connect internet with wifi only.. work fine in windows 10

[@Pinescruber]

Yes you have to, but with a quick call to microsoft support and explaining it to them they can provide you with a new licence.

[@brentmhlr]

the account key feature has been around for years, I’ve been using the same license since 2018 or so

[@antonmakarenko3271]

I replaced my mobo a few months ago. Windows was just like "Something off, hardware is not the same. Move license to this platform?"

[@lucidfn75]

The legends of vip urcdkey vs keysfan

[@josephjordan7040]

There are two types of Keys. OEM and Retail. OEM is a one time use key and will not transfer to another computer. Retail will transfer. You can buy both types of keys online from resellers so beware. OEM is significantly cheaper than Retail so people make the mistake of buying a key that they cannot use after they replace the motherboard.

[@manrisamanrisame]

Account linked activation key is goated Bought a cheap windows 10 key and since it was linked to my windows account it got carried over to my windows 11

[@OriginalFrozenJoe]

“The older way…” boy this is the new way, lol I recall the old days of typing in keys, failing activation, calling Microsoft, phoning in a generated code, typing in the reply code. I remember Windows taking a hardware profile and if you swapped your CPU Windows you force a new activation. I remember activating windows over dial up. And I remember typing in the code from the CD case wondering why some PC’s with Win98 required a code and others didn’t (like a prebuilt Compaq). Psssht, storing the code in BIOS is the “old” way, please lol. 😂

[@Hoigwai]

The key I am using was originally a Windows Vista key. I have both replaced parts and entire systems, upgrading the key eventually to Windows 11 currently, so I can say that changing parts and systems rarely requires a new key unless you are making a 2nd system.

[@thegoodfall4287]

I've been using the same windows license that i got off my Alienware prebuilt for every single iteration of my pc and has gone through 3 motherboards with no issues , i have never needed to buy a windows key with all my builds . all i had to do was grab the windows key straight from the bios and keep the key safe incase i move onto another pc

[@muamercormehic4843]

there are places to get OEM keys for 2-5$ and they bind to the motherboard so any upgrade of a motherboard you will need a new key.

[@platty7047]

Yes, the key is no longer active with a new CPU, but no problem, call support and the key is reactivated😉

[@H_NGM_N401]

No? You can keep it on the same ssd even with different cpu

[@tubby921]

I didn’t know about any of that when I built my pc a few years ago it turned out fine and the only original part from a previous pc was the hdd with a windows key. It worked just fine

[@mcid47]

the thing is sometimes they linked that key to the motherboard and cpu combo, especially when it's an OEM key. One time i upgraded my BIOS and lost my license key.

[@ALEXANDERdk007]

yea for OEMs the license key will be on the motherboard and you cannot move it to another

[@xelinxbb7290]

i have an OEM key on my pc and it sucks im soon getting a new pc and i have no idea what to do, i dont wanna spend 200 euros and idk if pirating it is even safe

[@Abyss-Will]

What are the windows keys for?? What does activating windows imply???

[@KingBait69]

i have used the same Windows key for dozens of systems and none of them have ever said the key was invalid or any other issues

[@Windowkey02]

You can have your key saved to your Microsoft account, and it roams to any motherboard, as long as you’re signed in.

[@DavidHHH99]

The problem is that recently MS has invalidated all win7 and 8 keys. So if you upgraded to win 10 or 11 from 7 or 8, and change mobos ( as I recently did when mine died), it will no longer activate, even if you had a previous legitimate Windows activation on this PC and/or drive. I found this out the hard way, but luckily I was able to get a very cheap grey market key.

[@khurram.0.0.]

I think you can share/transfer the digital key to another account too.

[@tsmith906]

I remember spending $300 on Vista Ultimate, and I loved it.

[@BestowalPants90]

The rated "arrrr" version does good

[@dezpotizmOFheaven]

I did a whole system copy on my laptop and carried it over to my new Desktop and even the "Acer" default programs shit was there with it.

[@ianpatterson3061]

If you have a retail license of windows you can transfer it with ease. Deactivate the windows key from computer, clear the key registry. Built new computer, install windows, activate your retail license product key. If you have a OEM or group license, you’re out of luck.

[@hunterleach5710]

By using a distro of linux, you're never going to have to worry about any Windows key again because Linux and a lot of their distros are open source. In the most commonly used ones are open source so you don't need to worry about that.

[@Simon_Electric]

I just transferred my NVMe SSD to my new mother board. I didn't want to lose any of my apps and installed an additional 1TB NVMe for increased storage space since my MB can handle 4 of them. Easiest way to do that.

[@pinetree7068]

Just use MAS if you need to reactivate it, you shouldn't feel bad if you have already activated Windows on older motherboard and your new one doesn't get activated.

[@jallen418]

If OEM version its tied to the mobo. If its retail version you can take it to the new build.

[@wildcatdan5072]

You should mention the keys you're advertising do not apply to the "newest methods Microsoft is doing" (Activating with your account) as you mentioned, and can only be activated on 1 PC.

[@dreamingabyss]

There's a very easy process for transfering the license within your Windows settings. I've done it half a dozen times, and it doesn't require you to call support lol

[@WhiteFyreLeo]

My custom PC was running in an old HDD I had lying around from like 20 years ago, I haven't had any issues with my windows key despite the fact I have a new MB and SSD

[@templin7]

If you have an OEM (the one that links to the mobo) and you switch out your motherboard, 9 times out of 10, you can just call customer support explain what happened and they will activate windows for you. And they are pretty cordial about the whole thing, it happens a lot