Windows activation on new motherboard?


R

rasmasyean

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Windows 11 Pro
Hello,

I installed Windows 11 and it seemed to have activated automatically even though I didn't enter a key in the beginning.
If I change my motherboard, will I still be able to use my Windows 10 license to install Windows 11?

Thanks.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10850K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z490-A
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 64GB (2 x 32GB), Model: F4-4000C18D-64GVK
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Ventus GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x ASUS VG278QR 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 165Hz 0.5ms
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    CORSAIR K100 RGB Optical-Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    MSI Z270 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 SC 6GB 06G-P4-6163-KR
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sceptre U508CV-UMK 50-Inch Glass 4K Ultra HD 120Hz LED TV
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T2 Compact CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 3
Depends whether it's an OEM or Retail licence. OEM is tied to the motherboard, whereas Retail ones can be transferred to a new PC. Using command prompt enter this command to see what you have

slmgr /dli
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home 24H2 RP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel I3-10100
    Motherboard
    MSI H410M-PRO
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GT 1030
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 970 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Samsung QVO 870 SATA SSD 2 Tb
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Microsoft Office 2021 Plus
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel i3-8100
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z370 D3
    Memory
    16 Gb
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia GT 720
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Seagate 2 Tb HDD
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
How does that work? Is it the MAC address that links it to the Microsoft database?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10850K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z490-A
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 64GB (2 x 32GB), Model: F4-4000C18D-64GVK
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Ventus GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x ASUS VG278QR 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 165Hz 0.5ms
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    CORSAIR K100 RGB Optical-Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    MSI Z270 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 SC 6GB 06G-P4-6163-KR
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sceptre U508CV-UMK 50-Inch Glass 4K Ultra HD 120Hz LED TV
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T2 Compact CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 3
It says:
Description: Windows(R) Operating System, RETAIL channel

And it gave me some "partial key" (which doesn't match anything I have on record lol). I suppose I need to find out what the rest of the key is.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10850K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z490-A
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 64GB (2 x 32GB), Model: F4-4000C18D-64GVK
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Ventus GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x ASUS VG278QR 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 165Hz 0.5ms
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    CORSAIR K100 RGB Optical-Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    MSI Z270 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 SC 6GB 06G-P4-6163-KR
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sceptre U508CV-UMK 50-Inch Glass 4K Ultra HD 120Hz LED TV
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T2 Compact CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 3
rasmasyean said:
And it gave me some "partial key" (which doesn't match anything I have on record lol). I suppose I need to find out what the rest of the key is.
Click to expand...
As you didn't enter a key, it may be using the appropriate generic key for your edition, Home or Pro. A generic key cannot activate Windows, it will only activate if there is an existing digital licence stored on the MS activation servers for your motherboard's hardware ID. If so, then that implies that this motherboard has previously been used, and that Windows was installed and activated with a key. That is the only way a PC can get a digital licence.

www.elevenforum.com

Generic Product Keys to Install or Upgrade Windows 11 Editions

This tutorial will provide you with a list of RTM (retail) and KMS generic keys (default keys) for all editions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. Generic keys (aka: "default keys") for Windows 10/11 from Microsoft will allow you to install or upgrade to a specific Windows 10/11 edition you want...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

To see the full installed key use ShowKeyPlus. This will also show if there is an OEM key embedded in your motherboard's firmware. If so, then that would be another explanation for the activation.

www.tenforums.com

ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Help Forums

I have converted the vbs to .Net for speed and backward compatibility with Win 8.0. Should be fine on WTP, but please report any bugs (This is a quite
www.tenforums.com www.tenforums.com
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October 2021 it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update, and 24H2 on 3rd October 2024 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 24H2.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, Canary, and Release Preview builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package. In-place upgrade to 24H2 using hybrid 23H2/24H2 install media. Also running Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, Canary, and Release Preview builds as a native boot .vhdx.

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
RFS said:
Depends whether it's an OEM or Retail licence. OEM is tied to the motherboard, whereas Retail ones can be transferred to a new PC. Using command prompt enter this command to see what you have

slmgr /dli
Click to expand...
Microsoft stopped enforcing the OEM restrictions a long time ago. Any activated Windows 10/11 can be moved to the retail channel simply by changing the product key to the generic for retail.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
Bree said:
As you didn't enter a key, it may be using the appropriate generic key for your edition, Home or Pro. A generic key cannot activate Windows, it will only activate if there is an existing digital licence stored on the MS activation servers for your motherboard's hardware ID. If so, then that implies that this motherboard has previously been used, and that Windows was installed and activated with a key. That is the only way a PC can get a digital licence.

www.elevenforum.com

Generic Product Keys to Install or Upgrade Windows 11 Editions

This tutorial will provide you with a list of RTM (retail) and KMS generic keys (default keys) for all editions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. Generic keys (aka: "default keys") for Windows 10/11 from Microsoft will allow you to install or upgrade to a specific Windows 10/11 edition you want...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

To see the full installed key use ShowKeyPlus. This will also show if there is an OEM key embedded in your motherboard's firmware. If so, then that would be another explanation for the activation.

www.tenforums.com

ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Help Forums

I have converted the vbs to .Net for speed and backward compatibility with Win 8.0. Should be fine on WTP, but please report any bugs (This is a quite
www.tenforums.com www.tenforums.com
Click to expand...

Right on the money!

" * Default key - requires a Digital License for activation "
" OEM key not present in firmware"
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10850K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z490-A
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 64GB (2 x 32GB), Model: F4-4000C18D-64GVK
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Ventus GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x ASUS VG278QR 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 165Hz 0.5ms
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    CORSAIR K100 RGB Optical-Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    MSI Z270 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 SC 6GB 06G-P4-6163-KR
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sceptre U508CV-UMK 50-Inch Glass 4K Ultra HD 120Hz LED TV
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T2 Compact CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 3
rasmasyean said:
Right on the money!

" * Default key - requires a Digital License for activation "
Click to expand...
So your m/board has an existing digital license obtained when Windows 10 was previously installed. This is valid for Windows 10/11.

Should you want to change the m/board in the future, first make sure you sign in on the PC with your MS Account, and that Activation says 'activated with a digital license liked to your Microsoft account'. Then, should it fail to activate after a m/board change, you'll be able to use the Activation Troubleshooter.

Reactivating Windows after a hardware change - Microsoft Support

Learn how to prepare your Windows device for a hardware change and find help reactivating Windows after a hardware change is complete.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October 2021 it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update, and 24H2 on 3rd October 2024 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 24H2.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, Canary, and Release Preview builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package. In-place upgrade to 24H2 using hybrid 23H2/24H2 install media. Also running Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, Canary, and Release Preview builds as a native boot .vhdx.
Wow, that's interesting. Is there a way to check what licenses are linked to your account?
Also, I suppose you can't "transfer" a license to another account (even your own).
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10850K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z490-A
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 64GB (2 x 32GB), Model: F4-4000C18D-64GVK
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Ventus GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x ASUS VG278QR 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 165Hz 0.5ms
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    CORSAIR K100 RGB Optical-Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    MSI Z270 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 SC 6GB 06G-P4-6163-KR
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sceptre U508CV-UMK 50-Inch Glass 4K Ultra HD 120Hz LED TV
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T2 Compact CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 3
rasmasyean said:
Wow, that's interesting. Is there a way to check what licenses are linked to your account?
Also, I suppose you can't "transfer" a license to another account (even your own).
Click to expand...
account.microsoft.com/devices
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
What about VOLUME_MAK licenses?

Is this also transferable to new motherboards?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10850K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z490-A
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 64GB (2 x 32GB), Model: F4-4000C18D-64GVK
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Ventus GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x ASUS VG278QR 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 165Hz 0.5ms
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    CORSAIR K100 RGB Optical-Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    MSI Z270 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 SC 6GB 06G-P4-6163-KR
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sceptre U508CV-UMK 50-Inch Glass 4K Ultra HD 120Hz LED TV
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T2 Compact CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 3
rasmasyean said:
What about VOLUME_MAK licenses?

Is this also transferable to new motherboards?
Click to expand...
Ask the corporation that issued the volume_mak license, it belongs to them.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
NavyLCDR said:
Ask the corporation that issued the volume_mak license, it belongs to them.
Click to expand...
It's on a Chinese tablet (Surface clone stuff), that I bought.
I thought maybe I'd get rid of this thing one day but keep the license to be transfered to something else. :P
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10850K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z490-A
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 64GB (2 x 32GB), Model: F4-4000C18D-64GVK
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Ventus GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x ASUS VG278QR 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 165Hz 0.5ms
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    CORSAIR K100 RGB Optical-Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    MSI Z270 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 SC 6GB 06G-P4-6163-KR
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sceptre U508CV-UMK 50-Inch Glass 4K Ultra HD 120Hz LED TV
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T2 Compact CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 3
rasmasyean said:
It's on a Chinese tablet (Surface clone stuff), that I bought.
I thought maybe I'd get rid of this thing one day but keep the license to be transfered to something else. :p
Click to expand...
Then it is an illegitimate license that we don't discuss on this forum.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
NavyLCDR said:
account.microsoft.com/devices
Click to expand...
It appears that simply setting up a Microsoft account login "links" your activation.
So how does this actually work?
Anyone who has MS-loginned on that motherboard can transfer the license to a new motherboard?
Am I missing something here? This sounds strange.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10850K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z490-A
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 64GB (2 x 32GB), Model: F4-4000C18D-64GVK
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Ventus GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x ASUS VG278QR 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 165Hz 0.5ms
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    CORSAIR K100 RGB Optical-Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    MSI Z270 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 SC 6GB 06G-P4-6163-KR
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sceptre U508CV-UMK 50-Inch Glass 4K Ultra HD 120Hz LED TV
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T2 Compact CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 3
rasmasyean said:
Hello,

I installed Windows 11 and it seemed to have activated automatically even though I didn't enter a key in the beginning.
If I change my motherboard, will I still be able to use my Windows 10 license to install Windows 11?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
or you could get a free license if it doesnt work or you can find many ways to register windows online. Cant say those things here cause this is NOT a forum for pirates
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Version 23H2(OS Build 22631.4317)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    AMD
    CPU
    12-Core AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, 4950 MHz (49.5 x 100)
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte X570 Aorus Master
    Memory
    4 - G Skill Trident Z Neo F4-3600C16-16GTZNC
    Graphics Card(s)
    PCI Express 4.0 x16: PowerColor RX 6800
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220 @ AMD K19.2 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 - 27 inch Westinghouse
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 SSD - 2 TB each
    1 SSD - 4TB
    1 HDD - 2TB
    Keyboard
    logitech
    Mouse
    logitech
    Internet Speed
    1 GB
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Eset Endpoint Security
imanlien2020 said:
or you could get a free license if it doesnt work or you can find many ways to register windows online. Cant say those things here cause this is NOT a forum for pirates
Click to expand...
Wasn't there a time when Windows and Adobe or something like that were the most pirated software in history? Now those are the names that define the software industry! haha
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10850K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z490-A
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 64GB (2 x 32GB), Model: F4-4000C18D-64GVK
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Ventus GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x ASUS VG278QR 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 165Hz 0.5ms
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    CORSAIR K100 RGB Optical-Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    MSI Z270 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 SC 6GB 06G-P4-6163-KR
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sceptre U508CV-UMK 50-Inch Glass 4K Ultra HD 120Hz LED TV
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T2 Compact CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 3
NavyLCDR said:
Microsoft stopped enforcing the OEM restrictions a long time ago. Any activated Windows 10/11 can be moved to the retail channel simply by changing the product key to the generic for retail.
Click to expand...
OK so...I found an old motherboard with a VOLUME_MAK and linked it.
I bought a new motherboard and did the "changed hardware" thing on it selecting that old motherboard.
...and it activated and changed it to RETAIL.

So let me get this straight. Anyone with a Microsoft login on an activated PC can transfer that license to an unactivated PC via "changed hardware"?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-10850K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z490-A
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 64GB (2 x 32GB), Model: F4-4000C18D-64GVK
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Ventus GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x ASUS VG278QR 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 165Hz 0.5ms
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
    Keyboard
    CORSAIR K100 RGB Optical-Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    MSI Z270 GAMING PLUS
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 SC 6GB 06G-P4-6163-KR
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sceptre U508CV-UMK 50-Inch Glass 4K Ultra HD 120Hz LED TV
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper T2 Compact CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Anywhere 3
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