Quick answer: Retail Windows licenses can be transferred to a new PC after you deactivate them on the old one. OEM licenses are tied to the original motherboard and cannot be transferred.
Retail vs OEM: Can You Transfer Your Key?
| License Type | Transferable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Retail | Yes | Move to a new PC unlimited times after deactivating the old one. |
| OEM | No | Locked to the first motherboard it activated on. |
| Volume / MAK | Sometimes | Depends on the agreement; usually managed by an organization. |
Not sure which you have? Our OEM vs Retail Windows keys guide explains how to check.
Step 1: Deactivate Windows on the Old PC
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Run
slmgr /upkto uninstall the current product key. - Run
slmgr /cpkyto clear the key from the registry. - The license is now released and ready to use on another PC.
Step 2: Activate Windows on the New PC
- On the new PC, open Settings → System → Activation.
- Choose Change product key and enter your 25-character key.
- If online activation is blocked because of a hardware change, use phone activation (run
slui 4).
Need the full activation walkthrough? See our Windows 11 activation guide.
Tip: Link Your License to a Microsoft Account
Signing into Windows with a Microsoft account creates a digital license. After a hardware change you can then use the Activation Troubleshooter ("I changed hardware on this device recently") to reactivate without re-entering the key.
When It's Cheaper to Just Buy a New Key
If your old license is OEM, or transferring is more hassle than it's worth, a genuine cheap Windows 11 key starts at just $12.99 — often less than the time spent troubleshooting a transfer.
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