Windows License Transfer [Full • 2027]

OEM licenses are permanently bound to the original computer . If the motherboard dies, the license dies with it—legally and technically. Microsoft’s EULA explicitly states: “The license is not transferable to another device.”

If you need to move Windows to new hardware and your current license is OEM, you have two honest options: buy a new retail license for the new PC, or keep the old PC as-is and use the new one unactivated (with cosmetic limitations only). windows license transfer

You may deactivate the license on the old PC and activate it on a new one. There is no limit on the number of transfers, but the license can only be active on one PC at a time. OEM licenses are permanently bound to the original computer

1. The Core Question: What Are You Actually Transferring? When people say "transfer a Windows license," they usually mean moving the right to activate and use a specific edition of Windows from one physical computer to another. However, you are not transferring a file or a product key alone—you are transferring a software license grant , which is a legal and technical construct. You may deactivate the license on the old

Is the license type? ├── OEM → NO (except motherboard replacement with identical model) ├── Retail → YES (unlimited transfers, one active PC at a time) ├── Volume → YES (within same organization, not to individuals) └── Upgrade from Win7/8 → Check original license type Before buying a used Windows key or attempting a transfer, always check the license type with slmgr /dli . If it says OEM_DM or OEM_SLP , the license is married to that motherboard—don’t expect a transfer to work.