Transfer Windows 10 To New Motherboard & CPU + Digital License Transfer

A Windows 10 Installation is transferred from one machine to another. Effectively, the motherboard and CPU are upgraded for an existing Windows 10 Install on a HDD. Wen you go to Move or Migrate or Transfer Windows 10 to a new motherboard, the license must also be transferred. In this case, an license key provided by the OEM turned out to be a RETAIL Windows license key & this key (from the Windows sticker on the box) is used to re-establish the digital license.

Find it on Amazon:

You may want to check out my companion blog post which provides additional details on how to check your windows license type:

Note: If you have Microsoft Office, you may experience a license error after this procedure. Don't panic! If you are in the USA, just call 866-421-7141. You will get a bot. Let the bot send you the link & it will send you to a web page where you can re-activate. If you live extra-USA, you will need to search to figure out the right number to call.

Music:
Special THANK YOU to my friends at Epidemic Sound!

#grokshop #windows10

[grokshop]

Note: During the initial "prep" phase, if you don't find your HDD / SSD controller under "IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers", look instead for "Storage controllers". If its under "Storage controllers", the standard controller you want to change to (before doing the upgrade) is called "Standard SATA AHCI Controller".

[bobsuruncle]

YES ! It worked. Followed your instructions and it's worked perfectly. Changed motherboard, ram & CPU - firstly, did back up, windows image (Win10) & made rescue disk. Removed all files (Pic's, video, music & documents to an external harddrive) leaving just programs & apps. Then cloned hhd to ssd using AEOMI (tried Macrium but it failed). Removed drivers as per video - yes, check the "Storage Controllers" my drivers were in there ! Power down & removed all parts to new PC. Powered up new PC (to BIOS), selected SSD as boot drive & boooom, up & running & not pestered once about activation (my original licence still intact). Please note:
1: I had an original "retail" copy of Windows 7 which was upgraded to Win 10
2: Sysprep didn't work - tried but it failed a number of times.
3: My windows 7/10 is linked to an old email address but I didn't even have to log in to re-activate.
4: I did extensive research into my PC parts and made sure they were all 100% compatible.

Many thanks my friend, you've turned a very daunting task into a straight forward swop.
Bob.

[ThetaPower]

Very cool. I've been building and upgrading computers since the 4.7Mhz 8088. I did not know about this easy and direct way to move to a new PC. The last time I did this I used Laplink and that messy and expensive. Thank you! I'm building a Rizen 3900X computer tomorrow to replace my 2012 Core i7 6 core 4.2GHz machine. It's time.

[Google_Does_Evil_Now]

Omg this works exactly like you said. Microsoft need to make this a feature. So many of us are put off buying a new pc or upgrading because it's such a hassle, lose all your software and settings, have to set everything backup, it can take days. The computer industry is losing a fortune because they're not making upgrading easy like you showed us how.
Get a new phone: everything comes across.
Get a new PC, you are stuck.

[jiro]

This was by far the most simple and informative tutorial. Thank you! Hit that like button!

[buten]

OMG I LOVE YOU SO SO SO MUCH!!!! i was looking for how to transfer windows 10 but there was error every time i put my key in. But After i watched your video, when u show that sticker, i put it in the windows activation. and it worked!!! I LOVE U SO MUCH I'll sub and like and share. THANK U SO MUCH AGAIN!!!

[ejpmonline]

I followed your tutorial using my windows 11 drive and still works like charm. Thanks! Very useful!

[DursunX]

this didn't help my issue..

but the video is very helpful, great presentation 👍🏼

[TurboJohn]

Did I hear some sweet smooth Zero7 there? Thanks a ton for the migration help!

[TheMiddleGroundWithBen]

I've always so far done it the even harder way which is to put the new motherboard in the same case which means unplugging everything unscrewing the mounting screws, and xhanging i/o shield. Next time I'm just going to get a new case I think because the drive mounting options are limited in the current one, plus the space is tight.

[austinuribe]

how many of these steps would i have to do if im just changing the mobo?

[AFpaleoCon]

I feel like I’ve been transported back in time 20 years watching this video.

[BaramuLord]

Very explicit explanation!! Congrats! You where spot on with the comments.

Thank you very much! I will try this method for an old W8.1 pc. Hopefully it does work!

Keep up the good work!

[spotieotie]

This vid is excellent brother. THANK YOU.

[chlbrn]

Thanks man, your steps are crystal clear and easy to follow. I am currently moving from Intel Xeon workstation to a new AMD Ryzen rig since my Xeon boost speed is a bit low for some scenarios. I will be following your step as soon as I get components on my hands. BTW, will Windows 10 do the old driver cleaning job for you because I am a little anxious about older drivers and I don't want them to cause conflicts or blue screen.

[oliweea]

Does it work with OEM windows in a dell machine

[WaddedBliss]

Excellent. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a bunch!

[wallychambe]

Bought a new 4X4 M2 drive, cloned it from my old drive (3x4) old motherboard MSI B450, new MSI B550 with 5800X, Booted into windows, found all the drivers, then I installed all the website drivers to be sure and kept all my programs!! Only thing it said it wasn't activated (because of new hardware) I decided just to get a new key for $12.82 because I didn't want to jump through hoops to get it activated again.😁😁 Using old Vid card RX480, FPS went up from 65FPS on B450 to 85FPS in Heaven benchmark on B550 board! Tried to use old key ( didn't copy when I bought it) but it kept saying MS servers were down??)

[BeastOfYCKM]

Great video I’m getting a new motherboard and cpu I was told that if I just do what you did in the video there will be errors and won’t work unless if I uninstall drivers from the previous motherboard.

[portman]

But how do I transfer my windows 10 to a completely new build not using the same storage.