How to Transfer Windows 11 License to New PC

Do you want to move your Windows license to a new PC? Are you confused about how to do it without breaking Microsoft rules? Are you worried about losing your data or applications when making a transfer? If your answer is yes, then this article is for you.

In this article, Bardimin will explain how to transfer Windows licenses to a new PC easily and safely. Bardimin will discuss some important things you need to know before making a transfer, such as the type of Windows license, transfer terms and restrictions, and how to check your Windows activation status.

Transfer Windows 11 License to New PC

Bardimin will also provide detailed steps to perform a Windows license transfer using a different method, such as through a Microsoft account, phone, or third-party software. In addition, Bardimin will provide tips and tricks to ensure the transfer goes smoothly and without problems.

Windows License Type

Before you can perform a Windows license transfer, you need to know what type of Windows license you have. There are two main types of Windows licenses, namely OEM and Retail.

  • OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) is a Windows license pre-installed on a PC or laptop that you purchased from a manufacturer, such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, or Asus. OEM licenses are permanent and cannot be transferred to another PC. If you’re replacing a PC or an important component like a motherboard, you’ll need to purchase a new Windows license. OEM licenses are usually less expensive than Retail licenses but have limitations in terms of support and personalization.
  • Retail is a Windows license that you purchased separately from Microsoft or another authorized reseller. Retail licenses are flexible and can be moved to another PC, provided you only use them on one PC at a time. If you replace a PC or critical component, you can transfer your Retail license to a new PC without having to purchase a new license. Retail licenses are usually more expensive than OEM licenses but have advantages in terms of support and personalization.

You can check your Windows license type by using the command slmgr -dli in Command Prompt. You’ll see information about your Windows edition, version, and license type. If you see RETAIL in the Description, you have a Retail license. If you see OEM in the Description section, you have an OEM license.

Windows License Transfer Terms and Restrictions

If you have a Retail license, you can transfer your Windows license to a new PC by meeting the following terms and restrictions:

  • You can only transfer a Windows license to a PC that has the same or lower operating system than your Windows license. For example, if you have a Windows 10 Pro license, you can make the transfer to a PC that has Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro, but not to a PC that has Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 11.
  • You must remove the Windows license from the old PC before making the transfer to the new PC. You can do this by using the command slmgr -upk in Command Prompt. This command removes the Windows product key from the old PC and makes it inactive. You can also remove your Microsoft account from your old PC if you connected it with your Windows license.
  • You must activate the Windows license on the new PC within 30 days of making the transfer. You can do this by using the same Windows product key that you used on your old PC, or by associating your Microsoft account with your Windows license. You can also contact Microsoft Customer Service if you’re having trouble activating your Windows license on a new PC.

How to Check Windows Activation Status

Before and after transferring Windows licenses, you need to check the activation status of your Windows on both the old PC and the new PC. You can do this in the following ways:

  • Open Settings > Update & Security > Activation. You’ll see information about your edition, version, and activation status of Windows. If your Windows is already active, you’ll see Windows is activated or Windows is activated with a digital license. If your Windows isn’t active yet, you’ll see Windows is not activated or Activate Windows. You’ll also see the option to activate Windows by using a product key or Microsoft account.
  • Open Command Prompt and type the command slmgr -xpr. You will see a pop-up window displaying the activation status of your Windows. If your Windows is already active, you should see the words The machine is permanently activated. If your Windows isn’t active yet, you’ll see The machine is not activated.

How to Transfer Windows License to New PC

Once you know your Windows license type, transfer terms and restrictions, and your Windows activation status, you can perform a Windows license transfer to a new PC by using one of the following methods:

Through a Microsoft Account

This method is the most convenient and practical method to transfer Windows licenses to a new PC, especially if you have already connected your Microsoft account with your Windows license on the old PC. Here are the steps:

  1. Make sure you’re signed in to your Microsoft account on both your old PC and your new PC. If you haven’t already, you can create a Microsoft account for free here.
  2. On your old PC, open Settings > Update & Security > Activation. In the Windows,
  3. On your old PC, go to Command Prompt and type the command slmgr -upk. This command removes the Windows product key from the old PC and makes it inactive. You can also remove your Microsoft account from your old PC if you wish to do so.
  4. On your new PC, open Settings > Update & Security > Activation. In the Windows,
    • If you see Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account, you have successfully transferred your Windows license to a new PC. You don’t need to do the next step.
    • If you see Windows is not activated or Activate Windows, you need to activate your Windows license on your new PC. You can click on Troubleshoot and select the option I changed hardware on this device recently. After that, you will be asked to log into your Microsoft account and select a new PC from the list of devices connected to your account. Check the box This is the device I’m using right now and click Activate. If the process is successful, you will see Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.

By Phone

This method is one you can use if you don’t have or don’t want to use a Microsoft account to perform a Windows license transfer to a new PC. Here are the steps:

  1. On your old PC, go to Command Prompt and type the command slmgr -dli. You’ll see information about your Windows edition, version, and license type. Make a note of your Windows product key which consists of 25 alphanumeric characters. You can find it in the Partial Product Key section. If you do not see your Windows product key, you can use third-party software such as [ProduKey](https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cdkey.exe) to display your Windows product key.
  2. On your old PC, go to Command Prompt and type the command slmgr -upk. This command removes the Windows product key from the old PC and makes it inactive.
  3. On your new PC, open Settings > Update & Security > Activation. In the Windows section, click Change product key and enter your Windows product key that you noted down earlier. If your product key is valid, Windows will activate your license online.
  4. If you’re having trouble activating your Windows license online, you can try activating it by phone. To do so, click Activate by phone and follow the instructions provided. You will be asked to select your country or region, and then call the number that is displayed. You will also see an installation code consisting of nine groups of numbers. You must provide the installation code to the telephone operator, and the operator will provide a confirmation code consisting of nine groups of numbers. You’ll need to enter the confirmation code on your new PC, and click Activate. If the process is successful, Windows will activate your license by phone.

Through Third Party Software

This method is one you can use if you don’t want to bother with Command Prompt commands or a Microsoft account to make a Windows license transfer to a new PC. You can use third-party software that can help you backup and restore Windows licenses easily. One of the software you can use is EaseUS Todo PCTrans. Here are the steps:

  1. Download and install EaseUS Todo PCTrans on both the old PC and the new PC. You can use the free or paid version, depending on your needs.
  2. Run EaseUS Todo PCTrans on both the old PC and the new PC. Select PC to PC mode and connect both PCs via local or wired network. Make sure both PCs can detect each other and are under the same license.
  3. On your old PC, select your new PC as the transfer destination and click Connect. Enter the verification code displayed on your new PC if prompted.
  4. On your old PC, select Applications and check the Windows box. You can also select other applications that you want to transfer to the new PC. Click Transfer and wait for the process to complete.
  5. On a new PC, run EaseUS Todo PCTrans and select mode Recover via Image File. Select the image file that contains the Windows license and the applications that you transferred from the old PC. Click Recover and wait for the process to complete.
  6. On your new PC, open Settings > Update & Security > Activation. You will see the activation status of your Windows. If your Windows is already active, you don’t need to take the next step. If your Windows isn’t already active, you can activate it by using your product key or Microsoft account.

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Tips and Tricks for Windows License Transfer

Once you’ve made the Windows license transfer to a new PC, you can do a few things to make sure the transfer goes smoothly and without any problems. Here are some tips and tricks you can do:

  • Back up your data and apps before transferring Windows licenses. You can use third-party software like EaseUS Todo Backup to back up your data and apps easily and securely. You can also use the File History or Backup and Restore features available in Windows to back up your data.
  • Make sure both the old PC and the new PC have a stable internet connection when transferring Windows licenses. If the internet connection is lost or slow, the Windows license transfer may fail or take a long time. You can also use a LAN cable to connect the two PCs if you don’t want to use a wireless network.
  • Make sure both the old PC and the new PC have sufficient specifications to run Windows. If your new PC has lower specs than your old PC, Windows may not run properly or have compatibility issues. You can check the minimum specifications and recommendations for running Windows here.
  • Make sure both the old PC and the new PC have the same or newer BIOS version. BIOS is the basic software that governs communication between the operating system and hardware. If the BIOS version is different, Windows may not be able to recognize your license or have activation problems. You can check your BIOS version by using the msinfo32 command in Run. You can also download and update the latest BIOS version from your PC manufacturer’s website.

Conclusion

That’s how to transfer Windows licenses to a new PC easily and safely. You can choose one of the methods that suits your needs and preferences, namely through your Microsoft account, phone, or third-party software. You can also follow some of the tips and tricks that Bardimin has given you to make sure the transfer goes smoothly and without problems. Hope this article was useful and good luck!

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