Windows Key

[Poinkachu]

So my laptop comes with a Windows 11 Home, I am thinking to upgrade it to Win 11 Pro.

If I do that, does the key still only work on that very same laptop, or I can use it on other PC ? Let's say down the years I ditch the laptop and build a desktop.

 

Sorry if the question is dumb, never used a laptop that comes with a Windows before.

[Eigenvektor]

You can normally bind the key to your Microsoft account and transfer it to another machine

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/reactivating-windows-after-a-hardware-change-2c0e962a-f04c-145b-6ead-fb3fc72b6665

[aledsav1]

as per that link, keys are binded to hardware, sometimes a motherboard has a key built in home/pro etc and therefore you can reinstal windows on that device as long as it is the same version and it will activate.

If you upgrade from home to pro then you will need a new key

If you transfer windows to a new device you will need a new key, unless you can go through the hardware change process but then the key has to be associated with your microsoft account.

[Poinkachu]

2 hours ago, Eigenvektor said:

You can normally bind the key to your Microsoft account and transfer it to another machine

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/reactivating-windows-after-a-hardware-change-2c0e962a-f04c-145b-6ead-fb3fc72b6665

 

2 hours ago, aledsav1 said:

as per that link, keys are binded to hardware, sometimes a motherboard has a key built in home/pro etc and therefore you can reinstal windows on that device as long as it is the same version and it will activate.

If you upgrade from home to pro then you will need a new key

If you transfer windows to a new device you will need a new key, unless you can go through the hardware change process but then the key has to be associated with your microsoft account.

 

I guess if I want the key to be transferrable to other system, it's better to just buy a retail Pro version key and replace the OEM ones my laptop is currently using then yeah ?

[aledsav1]

sent you a PM re keys

[Poinkachu]

Thanks guys for sparing your precious time to answer my question.