Forum Discussion
Can't transfer Windows 11 License on linked account?
Hello all,
I recently got an upgraded PC, and I'm attempting to transfer my Windows 11 License to that new PC. According to my previous PC, my Windows 11 License is linked to my Microsoft account. I checked to make sure it is Retail and NOT OEM. For context, I upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11, so my license was originally for Windows 10. However, to my knowledge, this shouldn't be a problem.
I had Windows 10 for awhile, so I can't remember how/where I purchased it. If I had to guess, I likely got it from the Best Buy in my area. However, I still have the product key.
However, once I installed Windows 11 on my new PC and tried to activate it, it wouldn't activate. I tried getting in touch with customer support, and they are telling me that my Windows license is not genuine.
This doesn't make sense to me because in my Activation Settings, it literally says "Windows is activated with a Digital License and linked to your microsoft account." How can it not be a genuine license if it is linked to my Microsoft account? I can't imagine I would ever purchase anything from non-reputable sources for this exact reason. I'm not sure what else to do. I don't have the spare cash for another Windows license.
Does anyone have any wisdom they could bestow upon me with regards to this issue? Thanks.
2 Replies
If your Windows 10 license was an OEM license (even if you think it's retail), it might be tied to the original hardware and not transferable. Even with a retail license, sometimes activation can be tricky after hardware changes, especially if the digital license isn't properly linked or recognized.
It was not an OEM. It was definitely retail. I checked using the command slmgr /dli in CMD. I also upgrade my PC every couple of years, so I make an effort to avoid OEM licenses.
The problem is the "proper linking" as you mention. Why would my PC show that my Windows License is linked to my account, but also not be linked?
