Reusing Windows 10 key on new SSD

[Aleemageddon]

A while ago my friend built his first PC and managed to get a hold of Windows 10 Educational edition with a product key for free and booted this onto a hard drive, however he wants to upgrade his PC now and is planning on getting an SSD as his boot drive instead. He is also replacing his motherboard. Is he able to download and reuse the same windows 10 software and product key?

[imnotjoe007]

I do know that with the windows 10 anniversary update that if it's tied to his Microsoft account, then most likely, yes.

[knightslugger]

better to deactivate the key on the old computer before installing on the new one.

[Aleemageddon]

13 minutes ago, imnotjoe007 said:

I do know that with the windows 10 anniversary update that if it's tied to his Microsoft account, then most likely, yes.

Thank you

[Aleemageddon]

11 minutes ago, knightslugger said:

better to deactivate the key on the old computer before installing on the new one.

And it works like that yeah?

 

[knightslugger]

well the way MS manages keys is by bonding the key to the motherboard. By deactivating the key on the motherboard you are able to reassign it to a new motherboard. Doing it this way is much easier to explain should the need arise.

[Aleemageddon]

1 minute ago, knightslugger said:

well the way MS manages keys is by bonding the key to the motherboard. By deactivating the key on the motherboard you are able to reassign it to a new motherboard. Doing it this way is much easier to explain should the need arise.

Thank you very much