You need the Windows product key in many situations like upgrading or reinstalling Windows on another computer. In this case, you need to use the product key to activate Windows 10 and get all the features legally. However, most of us purchase the device from a retailer that comes with Windows 10 pre-installed. In addition, Microsoft has a digital license that does not need aa product key for activation. Modern laptops do not even come with a CD / DVD drive and there are very less people purchase Windows 10 in CD / DVD format. Earlier days Microsoft used to supply product key on the CD / DVD cover that you need to keep it safely.

DO NOT follow this guide.Hi sir, thank you for sharing this vital information! Can you clarify your experience in detail again with everything you went through? It may help some new users like me who wants to upgrade to a new CPU/motherboard but is unsure of how to Transfer a Digital Windows 10 or 11 License to Another PC using the correct method. Now I am on a call with the support agent trying to retrieve it. I am able to see other device options that I haven't removed. I removed the device from the account and I am not able to transfer the key because it is not linked to the account anymore. Kavincsekaran said:The transfer of digital key in this how-to is basically GARBAGE! DO NOT remove the device from the account until you have activated the key in the new PC by going through the troubleshoot step. When prompted, you just click 'I don't have a key.' During the install process, make sure you log in with the same Microsoft account you have on your old PC. Install Windows 10 or 11 on the new PC, without entering a product code during the install process. If you don't do either of these things, the computer will still be seen as registered with Microsoft and could prevent you from being able to activate the same key on the new PC.Ģ. See our tutorial on how to reset Windows 10 or 11. Reset Windows or completely erase the drive on your old PC. So don't try to deactivate your old PC, at least until you have successfully deactivated the new one.ġ.

However, we heard from some readers that they were unable to activate their new computers after this or to get the old PC back on license. Note: We previously recommended that you remove the old PC from your Microsoft account before transferring your license and this worked for us in tests. Instead, you must follow the steps below. If your Windows license is 'digital,' which means that it's tied to your Microsoft account, entering the product key into a new PC will not work. How to Transfer a Digital Windows License to a New PC

Otherwise, follow the instructions for transferring a non-digital Windows 10 or 11 product key, also below. If the Activation screen says that you have a digital license, follow the instructions for transferring a digital license below.

Windows 10 license key