Windows 10: Cannot move retail windows license

I have an old PC with a license that looks like this according to slmgr /dlvI have blanked out part of the Installation ID; all the other strings appear to be quite generic.I am building a new PC and wanted to transfer this license to it. Both new and old PCs are logged into my Microsoft Account. The "new" one is unactivated as Windows detected the hardware change and reported Error 0xC004F211. Interestingly, on the "devices" tab in my Account, it gives no indication that the installed software in the new PC is unactivated. When I fire up the Activation Troubleshooter and select this old

:)

 

Windows 10 Pro Retail or OEM or Volume License

Hi Raju,

This is an interesting topic. If the last three letters of your Product ID ends with
OEM, then your license was issued by manufacturer. These type of licenses cannot be transferred to another computer because it is tied up with the device itself. Otherwise, if it doesn't end with OEM, your copy of Windows is from a retail merchant.
These licenses can be transferred to another computer. Unless your device was issued by your company, or from an organization, then it could have been activated under Volume licensing.

To be sure, check the type of license you that you have by following these steps:

• Open Command Prompt (Admin).
• Type slmgr -dli and press Enter.
• It will show you a pop up box telling you what type of license you are using.

Let us know if you need further assistance.

 

"Saving" Retail Pro licenses for use in future systems

Not sure. From the age of these systems, they were Win 7 upgrades. I'll have to check my records. Or, can I retrieve the product keys? - - - Updated - - -

In technical terms, what are the steps?

• Do I need to deactivate the licenses first on the old systems?
• Where are the licenses stored? Or, how do I retrieve them?
• Do I just apply the retrieved keys to the OEM licenses? At that point, do the systems become Retail licensed?

Understood.

Good deal. Did that auto salvage yard system boot up? Or did you somehow extract the license after retrieving the hard drive from the salvage yard system? - - - Updated - - - So I look at this problem as an opportunity to extend my technical knowledge. As I pointed out in another thread, I'm not an IT professional, but I still seek to increase my technical knowledge. I'm often the go to person for my family and friends on Windows/systems issues. Right now I'm about to install an SSD into the laptop of a friend who runs Linux on his laptop (for his work) and is extremely reluctant to open up any of his hardware. He will plug in cables, but that's it.

 

Free upgrade from Windows 11 Home to 11 Pro using 10 Pro retail license

My current computer has an activated Windows 10 Pro retail license. I'm planning to replace my current computer by buying a new computer that comes preinstalled with Windows 11 Home, and then I understand I can use my 10 Pro license to upgrade to 11 Pro for free.

What's the most straightforward way of accomplishing this? The obvious approach that comes to mind involves two steps:

1. Reinstall Windows 10 Pro on new computer and activate with my existing retail license.
   
2. Upgrade new computer to 11 Pro for free through the settings.
   

Is there a simpler way of doing this without having to reinstall Windows 10? For example, would it be possible to somehow "trade in" my Windows 10 Pro license for 11 Pro? I'm fairly new to Windows licensing and am just trying to understand what is possible/best practice, with minimal effort.