How to transfer a Windows 11 or 10 license to a new PC
A retail Windows license can move to a new PC, one PC at a time. OEM licenses that came with a computer can't. Here's how to check yours and move it.
Updated 7 October 202601Can your license move?
| License type | Move to a new PC? |
|---|---|
| Retail (bought separately, including all SOS License keys) | Yes, one PC at a time |
| OEM (came preinstalled on a PC) | No, it stays with the original PC |
| Volume (company or school) | No, it belongs to the organization |
To see which one you have, open Command Prompt on the old PC and run slmgr /dlv. The Description line shows RETAIL, OEM or VOLUME. See how to check your activation.
02Remove the key from the old PC
Do this if the old PC still works. It frees the license so the new PC activates without problems. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
slmgr /upk slmgr /cpky
The first command uninstalls the key, the second removes it from the registry. The old PC then shows "Windows isn't activated". If the old PC is dead, skip this step.
03Activate Windows on the new PC
- Install the same edition as your key (Home or Pro). See how to clean install Windows 11.
- Open Settings → System → Activation → Change product key and enter your key.
- Click Activate. When the page shows Active, you're done.
If the key was linked to your Microsoft account, you can also sign in on the new PC and use the Activation troubleshooter, as in reactivating after a hardware change.
04If activation fails on the new PC
- "This key has already been used" (0xC004C008): the old activation wasn't released. If you can, run step 1 on the old PC and try again. Otherwise contact us with your order number.
- Other codes: see Windows activation errors.
- OEM license: it won't move. Get a new key for the new PC: Windows 11 Pro or Windows 11 Home.
05Moving Office to a new PC
Office 2024 and Office 2021 retail keys work on one PC at a time. Uninstall Office on the old PC (Settings → Apps → Installed apps), then install it on the new PC from the download link in your key email and enter the same key. Follow how to install and activate Office. If Office says the key has already been used, contact us.
