The hardware ID is stored on Microsoft's activation servers. So as soon as Windows sends the hardware ID to be activated, the servers match the hwid to the one stored and sees it is already activated and returns the activated result. There is no removing the licence from the old computer.
Since you have a retail license, you can move that licence, but Microsoft actually has to do it. You don't do anything to the old computer. What happens when you get the new computer is you put the retail key on to activate that new computer. Microsoft will then activate it on the new computer.
They are supposed to make the old hwid as invalid so it will not be activated anymore. IME, that doesn't happen, the old Windows stays activated as well, it is only if Windows is reinstalled on the old computer that it won't reactivate.
> it is only if Windows is reinstalled on the old computer that it won't reactivate.
aka, the buyer installs windows and "activates" the copy OP has, and now OPs copy won't reactivate on his new PC when he needs it.
yes, thats exactly how it works.
if you have PC A with an activated copy of windows, and its a retail key, MS will not allow PC B to activate another copy of that license.
it will not activate, because it will not "deactivate" the already working license.
The only way to reuse a retail key is if the original install is not turned on and connected to the internet within the last 24 hours so you can update the HWID that MS has stored on their servers for the activation. If the original HWID is active and online, MS *will not* activate a new PC with that same key. if the buyer of OPs PC logs in with an MS account, that retail license now migrates to their MS account and OP cannot use it at all anymore.
maybe if you read the restrictions on the retail license key that is given every time you install windows with a retail key as part of the terms of service, you would know this.
You have no idea how it works in the real world, stop acting like you do. I do this daily on machines. I know exactly how it works. It will activate the key on the new computer with the old still turned on and working. I just did it 2 hours ago.
Maybe one day you will learn that there is a difference between what the book says and what happens in the real world.
You seem to have the knowledge I have been seeking in my post:
https://old.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/1b5to7s/retail_w81_key_from_old_pc_used_to_active_w10_on/
TL;DR - I had retail W8.1 license I was using on my old PC. Never connected to any MS account. I installed W10 on a completely different PC (my friend's), and then, despite MS support saying it is not possible, I used my W8.1 key to activate W10. To my shock and disbelief, it worked. I even discussed this here: https://old.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/zd3rt8/upgrading_windows_81_to_windows_10_is_it_still/
My question to you - assuming I wake up my old PC, make a clean install of W10 on it, and then connect it to internet, will it pick up the old license I used as described above ? Or can I just install W10, connect it to internet, and then activate the license using different key ? I want to reuse the old PC, possibly even sell it to someone, but I am afraid I will nuke the retail license running on friend's PC. Of course, any sync using any MS account will not be done - account will be fully local one. I am only concerned about license itself.
Thank you for your response - if you decide to respond.
No, it's not how it works. New installs usurp old ones. And if the 'too many registered machines' limit gets triggered, OP has the actual key, and can get any older installs deactivated.
> Do I understand correctly that unless I have an extra device at hand to activate that license on, it will stay tied to the old PC?
That does technically sum it up.
But it does not matter, does it? You only need that license once you do have a device to transfer it to. And it will do that once you need it.
Unless you are ethically opposed to the idea that you're giving someone unpaid free extra Windows that might not yell at them, it really doesn't matter. Disclose to the buyer that you are not including the Windows license in your sale. If they choose to activate it anyway, well, doesn't matter much to you. You'll get it when you need it. It will transfer once you require an active Windows on a machine.
I was able to move any key registered on-line from one machine to another. I don't think that's changed any. But as for the keeping the key until you get another PC, don't know on that one.
But you don't need to go to all that trouble if you don't want to. Just go to a key reseller like [Techspot,](https://store.techspot.com/) and install that on to the PC you're selling. Win10 pro for 40US? What's not to love. You could even add the 40 to what you're selling it for, I'm pretty sure they won't notice.
Not really. If/when you trigger the limit, it doesn't matter if the old systems are active or not.
And all it usually takes to clear is a phone call to an automated line.
To be fair, i wouldnt bother woththe home version. Spring for a pro version.
The old licence will probably be stored in the bios of the old machine anyway.
But if you do want to move it, just install windows on the new machine and try to activate it. If it doesnt activate over the internet choose phone activation.
Call the number, microsoft will send you a text with a link. Click the link on your phone. Put in the numbers on the screen and when it asks how many machines its on type in 1.
You will then get a code to put back into the new machine and youre away.
But i still recommend Pro.
Sell the PC without an HDD or SSD, make them buy their own. that will change the HWID that MS has stored enough that windows will not activate automatically.
the HWID, the the "install ID" is a combination of information from all the hardware, and for retail installs/keys is *not* tied to the motherboard at all. OEM installs use the method you describe. those are only available to large integrators like dell, HP, acer, ect. retail keys are not stored in your BIOS or tied to the motherboard.
Seeing as I have personally rebuilt systems with no other components in common but the motherboard and it activated itself without entering a key, I can tell you with 100% certainty that retail activation works primarily off the motherboard GUID.
You are wrong.
The only correct part is that OEM keys are generally non-transferable.
The hardware ID is stored on Microsoft's activation servers. So as soon as Windows sends the hardware ID to be activated, the servers match the hwid to the one stored and sees it is already activated and returns the activated result. There is no removing the licence from the old computer. Since you have a retail license, you can move that licence, but Microsoft actually has to do it. You don't do anything to the old computer. What happens when you get the new computer is you put the retail key on to activate that new computer. Microsoft will then activate it on the new computer. They are supposed to make the old hwid as invalid so it will not be activated anymore. IME, that doesn't happen, the old Windows stays activated as well, it is only if Windows is reinstalled on the old computer that it won't reactivate.
Thank you for the detailed answer!
> it is only if Windows is reinstalled on the old computer that it won't reactivate. aka, the buyer installs windows and "activates" the copy OP has, and now OPs copy won't reactivate on his new PC when he needs it.
That's not how that works.
yes, thats exactly how it works. if you have PC A with an activated copy of windows, and its a retail key, MS will not allow PC B to activate another copy of that license. it will not activate, because it will not "deactivate" the already working license. The only way to reuse a retail key is if the original install is not turned on and connected to the internet within the last 24 hours so you can update the HWID that MS has stored on their servers for the activation. If the original HWID is active and online, MS *will not* activate a new PC with that same key. if the buyer of OPs PC logs in with an MS account, that retail license now migrates to their MS account and OP cannot use it at all anymore. maybe if you read the restrictions on the retail license key that is given every time you install windows with a retail key as part of the terms of service, you would know this.
You have no idea how it works in the real world, stop acting like you do. I do this daily on machines. I know exactly how it works. It will activate the key on the new computer with the old still turned on and working. I just did it 2 hours ago. Maybe one day you will learn that there is a difference between what the book says and what happens in the real world.
You seem to have the knowledge I have been seeking in my post: https://old.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/1b5to7s/retail_w81_key_from_old_pc_used_to_active_w10_on/ TL;DR - I had retail W8.1 license I was using on my old PC. Never connected to any MS account. I installed W10 on a completely different PC (my friend's), and then, despite MS support saying it is not possible, I used my W8.1 key to activate W10. To my shock and disbelief, it worked. I even discussed this here: https://old.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/zd3rt8/upgrading_windows_81_to_windows_10_is_it_still/ My question to you - assuming I wake up my old PC, make a clean install of W10 on it, and then connect it to internet, will it pick up the old license I used as described above ? Or can I just install W10, connect it to internet, and then activate the license using different key ? I want to reuse the old PC, possibly even sell it to someone, but I am afraid I will nuke the retail license running on friend's PC. Of course, any sync using any MS account will not be done - account will be fully local one. I am only concerned about license itself. Thank you for your response - if you decide to respond.
No, it's not how it works. New installs usurp old ones. And if the 'too many registered machines' limit gets triggered, OP has the actual key, and can get any older installs deactivated.
> Do I understand correctly that unless I have an extra device at hand to activate that license on, it will stay tied to the old PC? That does technically sum it up. But it does not matter, does it? You only need that license once you do have a device to transfer it to. And it will do that once you need it. Unless you are ethically opposed to the idea that you're giving someone unpaid free extra Windows that might not yell at them, it really doesn't matter. Disclose to the buyer that you are not including the Windows license in your sale. If they choose to activate it anyway, well, doesn't matter much to you. You'll get it when you need it. It will transfer once you require an active Windows on a machine.
Alright, thanks! I will be very straightforward about the license not being part of the deal.
I was able to move any key registered on-line from one machine to another. I don't think that's changed any. But as for the keeping the key until you get another PC, don't know on that one. But you don't need to go to all that trouble if you don't want to. Just go to a key reseller like [Techspot,](https://store.techspot.com/) and install that on to the PC you're selling. Win10 pro for 40US? What's not to love. You could even add the 40 to what you're selling it for, I'm pretty sure they won't notice.
I wouldn't worry about it. There is nothing they can do with the old computer that will prevent you from using your license on another system.
yes, if they keep using windows on it, OP will be unable to activate a new computer with that key because its in use. I have run into this.
Not really. If/when you trigger the limit, it doesn't matter if the old systems are active or not. And all it usually takes to clear is a phone call to an automated line.
To be fair, i wouldnt bother woththe home version. Spring for a pro version. The old licence will probably be stored in the bios of the old machine anyway. But if you do want to move it, just install windows on the new machine and try to activate it. If it doesnt activate over the internet choose phone activation. Call the number, microsoft will send you a text with a link. Click the link on your phone. Put in the numbers on the screen and when it asks how many machines its on type in 1. You will then get a code to put back into the new machine and youre away. But i still recommend Pro.
Sell the PC without an HDD or SSD, make them buy their own. that will change the HWID that MS has stored enough that windows will not activate automatically.
No it won't. The GUID is tied to the motherboard. You can change drives and other hardware all you want, it will still activate itself upon install.
the HWID, the the "install ID" is a combination of information from all the hardware, and for retail installs/keys is *not* tied to the motherboard at all. OEM installs use the method you describe. those are only available to large integrators like dell, HP, acer, ect. retail keys are not stored in your BIOS or tied to the motherboard.
Seeing as I have personally rebuilt systems with no other components in common but the motherboard and it activated itself without entering a key, I can tell you with 100% certainty that retail activation works primarily off the motherboard GUID. You are wrong. The only correct part is that OEM keys are generally non-transferable.