The Windows product key from your old PC should be uninstalled before you upgrade to a new PC. So if you sell the old computer, it makes no activation errors on your new system and means that a future owner cannot use your license. Using this guide, you can uninstall your Windows product key and transfer it to a new PC.
Understanding OEM and Retail Windows Product Key Difference
The license for Windows is two types of OEM and retail, which are the varying degrees that individual consumers can get. The OEM key is generally used in new PCs that are activated with a Windows copy, while if you directly buy from Microsoft or an official distributor, he/she has the retail key.
The OEM key is attached to the PC hardware and can’t be uninstalled or transferred to a new PC. Upon transfer to a new PC, only one retail Windows product key can be transferred to another PC. In this post, the instructions only apply to PCs with a retail product key.
For example, if you want to know what product key your PC is activated with press Win + ‘R keys and type -slmgr. Run (dli) In the Run dialog, vbs /dilia is used as . An e-mail will be showing whether your license channel is OEM, or retail.
Uninstall Windows Product Key On the Old PC
The key to Windows activation is manually removed from your PC if you plan to sell or donate it. The new owner can still extract the product key to not only activate current PC but also use your key on other PCs (possibly restricting you) even with a fully reset PC.
The product key is not a problem for the PC, so many devices that are activated have no way to be restricted on the product Key. However, if you plan to use the old PC for other applications, you can skip this step; Microsoft usually allows 2 PC activations even unless official terms say only one device is allowed.
However, there is no GUI for uninstalling a product key on Windows (Microsoft prefers licenses to remain with hardware), so it’s not possible that the software will be installed. You’ll have to use command prompt commands instead of ‘It is the proper way to uninstall it.
**Note **note If you have bypassed the Microsoft account requirement and your key isn’t registered with a Microsoft profile, then first find your product key and save it before following the instructions. It’s also required to activate your new PC offline. *****
Open Command Prompt and run the following commands:
slmgr
/
upk
slmgr
/
cpky
The product key will be uninstalled from Windows by the first command, and deleted in the Registry with the second command preventing anyone from extracting it later. If you want to reset the PC completely immediately after, and do not log in with your Microsoft account, you should be able to fully reset it.
Transfer Windows Product Key to the New PC
With digital licensing, it is actually very easy to transfer the product key to a new PC. If your retail product key is attached to you Microsoft account, so all you have to do is log in with the same Microsoft profile when setting up the new PC; and it will automatically activate.
When this doesn’t automatically activate, open Windows Settings and go to System Activation. Please click Troubleshoot and select I changed hardware on this device recently. The product key is moved by clicking Activate and selecting your old device, then you can select the item key.
If the old PC is removed from your Microsoft account once it’s activated, it’s important that you remove this pc. Alternatively, Microsoft will automatically activate the old PC when online as its hardware ID is registered on Microsoft servers. Upon opening your Microsoft account’s devices section, you can select Remove device under the old device.
If you’re using the new PC without a Microsoft account, you’ll have to manually enter the product key that you noted down earlier in order to activate it. Alternatively, visit** System*** ( Activation*) and click on the **Change button next to the *Chang product key** option. If you have the 25 digit product key and click Next to verify and activate, provide your product code.
To prevent license identification issues, you should keep your old PC connected to your Microsoft account until the new one is fully activated. After your system is configured, use this guide to configure and install these essential optimization apps once you are up and running.
Thanks for reading How to Uninstall the Windows Product Key and Transfer to New PC
