Windows transfer

[Luke7]

Hi everyone,

I've been unable to find an answer to this specific scenario, so here it goes.

I was running an AMD A10 based build (specifics can be given if required) which originally ran Windows 7 OEM I think - 90% sure I didn't buy Windows 10 for it - and then upgraded to W10.

Under normal circumstances, I know an OEM licence upgraded to W10 CANNOT be transferred; however, I am trying to find out if I can transfer that licence to a new PC IF the old A10 build has died (dead motherboard - well past warranty).

Thanks

[Dashers]

I think I heard something about this being possible. Either way, you'll have to phone up Microsoft to complete activation. They're generally ok, I had a hell of a time beating a CD key out of them, but I managed to do that for free.

[peterb]

An OEM licence dies with the machine, however you are allowed to repair a machine - so if the motherboard dies, you can change that, similarly the CPU, but in both cases you would have to re-activave Windows.

The difficulty arises in your case, where the mobo is not available, and neither is any for your CPU. In that case you would have to hope that the MS rep/bot etc is sympathetic.

The situation was further complicated by the offers etc that MS used to coerce users to move to Win10.

My best suggestion is to try it in the repaired machine (you did say repaired didn't you) and see how you get on - but be prepared to buy a new licence if MS refuse.

[Biscuit]

I've done it a load of times with the OEM license. If you have the key, generally there isnt any big dramas with it. Once or twice i have had to go through an automated telephone thing but so far I havent had a dead license whenever a machine has died. The only exception being my old macbook pro bootcamp one, which I believe is now associated with my Microsoft account (... somehow) and I dont think I will be able to use it for anything else despite it never running on that laptop again.

[Jamksers]

Only Microsoft seems to be able to solve this problem.