Can I transfer Windows 10 to a new computer?

When you buy a new PC, Windows 10 comes pre-installed and activated. But if you're building a new system, you'll need a new license, which could end up costing you a few hundred dollars depending on the edition you need. However, if you're planning to retire an old system, you may be able to transfer the Windows 10 product key to the new computer to save cost.

It's not just a good option when setting up a new device, but the ability to transfer a license may also come in handy when you're selling a computer and you want to retain the product key, or you want to recycle the license to activate a new virtual machine.
Whatever the reason it may be, you're entitled to transfer a license to another device under the Microsoft rules, but it'll depend on the way that Windows 10 was initially obtained.

How to transfer a product key to a new PC on Windows 10-

If you have a device running a retail copy of Windows 10, you're entitled to transfer the license to a new device, and the process evolves removing the license from the old machine and then applying the same product key on the new computer.

Deactivating Windows 10 from old installation

To uninstall a Windows 10 product key, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to remove the current product key and press Enter:
   slmgr /upk
   
   Quick tip: If you don't see the "Uninstalled product key successfully" message, you may need to run the command multiple times until the message shows up.
4. (Optional) Type the following command to clear the license from the Registry and press Enter:
   slmgr /cpky
   

Once you complete the steps, you can use the product key to activate a different computer running Windows 10.

Although the steps outlined above will uninstall the product key from your computer, the process won't remove the activation from the Microsoft servers. Instead, this process will prevent detecting the same product key being used in multiple devices.

If you're moving to a new computer, because the other one no longer works, it's not necessary to use the above steps.

Activating Windows 10 on new installation

You can use a previously activated product key of Windows 10 on a new computer manually or contacting the Microsoft support line directly.

Installing license using Command Prompt

To activate Windows 10 with a previous product key, use these steps:

1. 1. Open Start.
2. 2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. 3. Type the following command to reuse the Windows 10 product key from another computer and press Enter:
   slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
   
   4. In the command, replace "xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx" with the product key you want to use to activate Windows 10.
4. 5. Type the following command to verify the activation and press Enter:
   slmgr /dlv
   
5. Check under the "License Status" section, and make sure the status reads "Licensed" to verify that Windows 10 is fully activated.
   

Once you complete the steps, your copy of Windows 10 should be activated and ready.

Installing license calling Microsoft support

If you're unable to activate your copy of Windows 10 using Command Prompt, you may need to contact Microsoft support to activate the new installation using these steps:

1. 1. Open Start.
2. 2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. 3. Type the following command to activate the copy of Windows 10 and press Enter:
   slui 4
   
4. 4. Select your region from the activation wizard.
5. 5. Click the Next button.
   
6. 6. Call Microsoft using the toll-free number provided in the wizard.
7. 7. Provide the Installation ID number.
8. 8. Click the Enter confirmation ID button.
   
9. 9. Type the confirmation ID provided by Microsoft support.
10. 10. Click the Activate Windows button.
    

After you complete the steps, the installation will activate, and you can take full control of Windows 10 on your new device.

Precautions:

When transferring a product key to another computer, remember that the edition of Windows 10 must match the edition that the license activates. For example, if you're uninstalling a Windows 10 Pro product key, you can only use it to activate another Windows 10 Pro installation. You can't use a Pro license to activate a device running Windows 10 Home.