I'm about to order my dad a PC from here and saving the windows cost would mean I could get him a better PSU and SSD. He's got an old ancient PC which can just about run windows 10. But it has Windows 10 nonetheless. OEM I'm sure. But the PC will get skipped. But does that method still work where you tie your windows licence to your MS account and then activate windows in the new PC using your Microsoft account by choosing the option that you've 'installed new hardware'? Anyone done it recently?
Still possible to transfer Windows 10 from old defunct PC to new build?
- Thread starter SlimCini
- Start date
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
Yes, just change it to a digital license as below, then install windows on the new device and log in with the account you tied the license to.
How to link your Windows 10 product key to a Microsoft account
If you're using a local account, use this guide to link your Windows 10 product key to your Microsoft account for easier re-activation.
www.windowscentral.com
Works with any consumer license including OEM.
ubuysa
The BSOD Doctor
Lucky man! My company didn't get me a retirement present at all.
It was my company though, that's probably why...
OK, so going to buy him a 4k IPS monitor for Christmas to match up with this new PC. Again, not an expert on monitors.
This looks a steal: https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/compu...hd-28-led-monitor-dark-grey-10207961-pdt.html
Anyone know much about this? Look a good deal? @SpyderTracks @Scott ?
This looks a steal: https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/compu...hd-28-led-monitor-dark-grey-10207961-pdt.html
Anyone know much about this? Look a good deal? @SpyderTracks @Scott ?
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
What GPU are you pairing with? Is this for the same system or another one? Is it for gaming?
No this is for my dads home office pc that's he's getting as a gift. Gpu is gonna be a 1030. All he does is some very basic music production work on it and some photo and video viewing of footage he takes.
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
Ah, yeah, that monitor is perfect then, excellent value!
Horrible Bloke
New member
Hello all.
It's finally time to retire my 2013 PCS machine, and obviously I'm looking to cut as many corners as possible with the cost of the new one (trying to save money in preparation for when the RTX 3080 is back in stock in February 2026).
I bought it with Win7 pre-installed, and upgraded to Win10 when the free upgrade was available. Will I be able to transfer the licence?
Cheers in advance.
It's finally time to retire my 2013 PCS machine, and obviously I'm looking to cut as many corners as possible with the cost of the new one (trying to save money in preparation for when the RTX 3080 is back in stock in February 2026).
I bought it with Win7 pre-installed, and upgraded to Win10 when the free upgrade was available. Will I be able to transfer the licence?
Cheers in advance.
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
Hiya, moved to this thread, it's all outlined for you here
I presently have a PC Specialist PC that I bought 4 years ago with Windows 10 OEM installed, I plan on buying a new PC in the next week or so.
My question is do I really need to spend £77 on having Windows Preinstalled on the new PC ? Is there any way I can transfer my OEM Windows Version and sell my old PC without the OS ? I am reading mixed messages on the internet.
For ease I may just leave Windows 10 on my current PC so that can get my new one fully up and running - it seems I will need two Windows licenses for this which seems a bit of a con. I suppose my old PC is more potentially more attractive to a buyer with Windows intalled.
The PC Specialist price (£77) just seems a bit of an expensive pill to swallow when I only bought it 4 years ago. There are many retailers selling an authentic digital download ranging from £15 to £30 ?
My question is do I really need to spend £77 on having Windows Preinstalled on the new PC ? Is there any way I can transfer my OEM Windows Version and sell my old PC without the OS ? I am reading mixed messages on the internet.
For ease I may just leave Windows 10 on my current PC so that can get my new one fully up and running - it seems I will need two Windows licenses for this which seems a bit of a con. I suppose my old PC is more potentially more attractive to a buyer with Windows intalled.
The PC Specialist price (£77) just seems a bit of an expensive pill to swallow when I only bought it 4 years ago. There are many retailers selling an authentic digital download ranging from £15 to £30 ?
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
As above.
Authentic...
Martinr36
MOST VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
yeah i made a similar comment on the original post..............Authentic...
Authentic - "of undisputed origin and not a copy; genuine."A scam version can still be authentic!!
They might be genuine copies, but I think Microsoft might dispute the origin of the windows keys being sold that cheaply!
ubuysa
The BSOD Doctor
I would seriously question that. Microsoft don't do any discount deals that the public can use. They do volume licensing deals for companies to license multiple PCs and I know that these sometimes find their way onto eBay and the like, but they are not legal.
There are only three ways for the general public to obtain a legal Windows license:
1. Buy it with your PC
2. Buy your own retail copy from Microsoft or a properly licensed partner
3. Transfer a digital license from an old PC
TonyCarter
VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
Maybe I'm wrong, but whilst Microsoft and their partners may not agree or publicise is, there was a case in the EU courts that said Microsoft licences could be re-sold via any medium?
JUDGMENT OF THE COURT (Grand Chamber)
According to the decision of the European Court (Curia) of Justice on the 3rd of July in 2012, (C-128/11.) The sale of software is permitted even without the physical transport of the medium (CD/DVD/Pendrive). The transfer of the used license activation keys is permitted, furthermore the sale, transfer of the unused software licenses is legal regardless of whether the software license is on a medium or online license activation key. The software company shall not prevent the further sale of its license, and usage of its software, including OEM, DSP and ESD versions. The software company’s copyright is exhausted when its software has been sold for the first time. The individual sale of Volume License and the trading of online transferable licenses are permitted. (C-128/11., EU 2001/29/EG, 28., 2009/24/EK)
"Legal protection of computer programs — Marketing of used licences for computer programs downloaded from the internet — Directive 2009/24/EC — Articles 4(2) and 5(1) — Exhaustion of the distribution right — Concept of lawful acquirer"
curia.europa.eu
But you may notice that my build has a Windows Pro licence included - so you can see where I stand
JUDGMENT OF THE COURT (Grand Chamber)
According to the decision of the European Court (Curia) of Justice on the 3rd of July in 2012, (C-128/11.) The sale of software is permitted even without the physical transport of the medium (CD/DVD/Pendrive). The transfer of the used license activation keys is permitted, furthermore the sale, transfer of the unused software licenses is legal regardless of whether the software license is on a medium or online license activation key. The software company shall not prevent the further sale of its license, and usage of its software, including OEM, DSP and ESD versions. The software company’s copyright is exhausted when its software has been sold for the first time. The individual sale of Volume License and the trading of online transferable licenses are permitted. (C-128/11., EU 2001/29/EG, 28., 2009/24/EK)
"Legal protection of computer programs — Marketing of used licences for computer programs downloaded from the internet — Directive 2009/24/EC — Articles 4(2) and 5(1) — Exhaustion of the distribution right — Concept of lawful acquirer"
CURIA - Documents
curia.europa.eu
But you may notice that my build has a Windows Pro licence included - so you can see where I stand
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SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
That’s a separate issue, that’s legal transference, but a legal key would still cost maybe £80 or so.Maybe I'm wrong, but whilst Microsoft and their partners may not agree or publicise is, there was a case in the EU courts that said Microsoft licences could be re-sold via any medium?
JUDGMENT OF THE COURT (Grand Chamber)
According to the decision of the European Court (Curia) of Justice on the 3rd of July in 2012, (C-128/11.) The sale of software is permitted even without the physical transport of the medium (CD/DVD/Pendrive). The transfer of the used license activation keys is permitted, furthermore the sale, transfer of the unused software licenses is legal regardless of whether the software license is on a medium or online license activation key. The software company shall not prevent the further sale of its license, and usage of its software, including OEM, DSP and ESD versions. The software company’s copyright is exhausted when its software has been sold for the first time. The individual sale of Volume License and the trading of online transferable licenses are permitted. (C-128/11., EU 2001/29/EG, 28., 2009/24/EK)
"Legal protection of computer programs — Marketing of used licences for computer programs downloaded from the internet — Directive 2009/24/EC — Articles 4(2) and 5(1) — Exhaustion of the distribution right — Concept of lawful acquirer"
CURIA - Documents
The point is that a lot of these grey markets deal in stolen volume license keys. That’s how they’re so cheap.
TonyCarter
VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
I'm not sure it is, as it points to both transfer/sale of used/recovered licences (e.g. from recycled machines with OEM licences), and the transfer/sale of unused licences (e.g. from a bust company with unused OEM/DSP/ESD licence).
Although I agree that you don't know what sort of 'industry' you're supporting with some of these 'dodgy' keys/licences.
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
That's exactly it...
There's a good article on "Grey Market" keys here, it's always going to be risky buying one, even if leaving aside the illegal or morally ambiguous aspects:
Are discount Windows 10 licenses legal, and do they work?
Windows 10 is one of the most expensive pieces of software that most users will buy. If you're looking at significantly discounted license keys, here's what you should know about where they come from, how they work, and if they're the right option for you.
www.notebookcheck.net