Getting a new computer and already own a Windows or Office license? Good news — in most cases, you can transfer your product key to a new PC at no extra cost. This guide walks you through the process based on your license type.
Identify your license type
Before transferring, it's essential to know which license type you own. Microsoft offers three main categories:
| Type | Transferable? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Retail (boxed / ESD) | ✅ Yes | Can be transferred to another PC after deactivation |
| OEM | ⚠️ Limited | Tied to the original motherboard; transfer possible after major hardware change |
| Volume (enterprise) | ❌ No | Managed by the organization, not individually transferable |
💡 Good to know
Digital keys (ESD) purchased from AllKeyMasters are Retail licenses: they are 100% transferable to a new PC.
Transfer a Windows 10 or 11 license
Step 1: Deactivate Windows on the old PC
Open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as administrator) and type:
slmgr /upk
This command uninstalls the product key from the old computer. Then clear the key traces from the registry:
slmgr /cpky
Step 2: Install Windows on the new PC
Install Windows normally on your new PC. When prompted for a product key, you can click "I don't have a product key" and add it after installation.
Step 3: Activate with your key
After installation, go to Settings → System → Activation and click "Change product key." Enter your 25-character key. Windows will connect to Microsoft servers to validate the activation.
⚠️ If activation is refused
If online activation fails (the key was still registered on the old PC), use phone activation. A Microsoft agent will manually deactivate the old link.
Transfer an Office 2019, 2021 or 2024 license
Step 1: Uninstall Office from the old PC
Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps, find Microsoft Office and click "Uninstall." You can also use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant tool for a thorough removal.
Step 2: Install Office on the new PC
Download the installation image from official Microsoft sources or use the link provided with your purchase. Install the suite normally.
Step 3: Reactivate with your key
Open any Office application (Word, Excel…), click "Activate" and enter your 25-character key. Activation completes online within seconds.
✅ Tip
Save your product key somewhere safe (password manager, AllKeyMasters confirmation email, etc.) before wiping the old PC.
Special cases and FAQ
I changed the motherboard — is my Windows license lost?
No. For Retail/ESD licenses, a motherboard swap is no problem. Reactivate with your key or by phone. For OEM licenses, you may need to contact Microsoft to justify the hardware change.
Can I transfer from Windows 10 to Windows 11?
The upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free if your PC meets the Windows 11 hardware requirements. Your Windows 10 Pro license automatically activates as Windows 11 Pro.
How many transfers can I do?
There is no official limit for Retail licenses. You can transfer your license as many times as needed, as long as it's only active on one PC at a time.
Conclusion
Transferring a Windows or Office license is a simple operation that takes just a few minutes. The key is to properly uninstall/deactivate on the old PC before reactivating on the new one.
Need a new license? Browse our Windows and Office keys with instant delivery at AllKeyMasters.