How to transfer Windows 10 to new computer with everything untouched

Before you transfer Windows 10 to new computer, make sure your Windows 10 is a full retail version and not an OEM edition.  OEM versions are usually tied to the first computer they were installed on. You can check this by going to Settings > Update & Security > Activation. If it says “Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account,” you’re golden! To make the transfer smooth, deactivate your copy of Windows on the old machine. Open Command Prompt as an admin and type: slmgr.vbs /upk

This command uninstalls the product key. Don’t worry; this only removes the key from that PC, preserving your activation rights for the new one.

Now, install and transfer Windows 10 on your new PC, grab your new computer and get Windows 10 on it. You can use:

• A bootable USB drive (make one using the Windows Media Creation Tool)
• A fresh download from the Microsoft website (they let you download an ISO)

After you install Windows, skip entering a product key when prompted. You’ll input it later.

Once everything’s set up and you’re cozy in your new digital home, go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation. Click on “Change product key” and enter your Windows 10 product key. If everything checks out, Windows should activate in a jiffy! Now that Windows is up and running, you can restore your backed-up files from OneDrive or your external drive. Time to bring that collection of cat videos back!