When acquiring a new PC specifically designed for Windows 11, the necessity of purchasing a new license is oftentimes not required. This is largely owing to the ability to utilize your existing Windows 10 license, provided certain conditions are met. The transition from Windows 10 to 11 is often free, seamless, and hassle-free, given that your hardware satisfies the required criteria. During the upgrade process, Windows autonomously checks hardware compatibility, prompting the installation upon approval, thereby retaining your existing license.
Understanding the Digital License
The concept of a digital license is central to this upgrade process. Created initially when Windows 10 was installed, it comprises a hardware hash and a product key, stored securely on Microsoft's servers. It’s important to note that minor updates to your system (such as altering peripherals or RAM) do not disrupt this digital license. However, a motherboard change necessitates the re-entry of the product key post-installation. To verify activation status and ascertain if your license is associated with your Microsoft account, navigate to
Operating Without a Valid License
Windows allows installation and use for 30 days without a product key; nevertheless, this practice falls outside legal parameters without a valid license. After this period, a watermark is displayed, and customization options become inaccessible.
Upgrading with Component Changes
If your hardware doesn't meet the necessary requirements for Windows 11, options include using unsupported hardware installers like Rufus, upgrading key components (such as the motherboard or CPU), or purchasing a new PC with a pre-installed license. For instance, you can verify the TPM version needed with the utility
Transferring Your License
Moving a Windows 10 license to a different computer necessitates ownership of a retail version—OEM licenses that accompany a computer cannot be transferred. You can determine the nature of your license via the command
Purchasing Licenses
In the absence of a digital license or product key, purchasing is an option through the
Locating and Linking the Product Key
Your product key can be located within the purchase email, on a physical label, or extracted from a previous installation through a keyfinding tool. Linking this digital license to your Microsoft account enhances retrieval efficiency during subsequent installations.
Reinstalling and Activating
During a reinstallation, it's possible to bypass the product key entry initially. Post-installation, navigate to
Status of Activation
The activation status is presented within
