i am confused how windows licences work
i am confused how windows licences work
You understand how to purchase and use the license. Linking it to your Microsoft account means you can switch components easily—your license stays active as long as your account is connected to the PC. You can log into an already activated Windows on a different machine using your Microsoft account, and the license will remain valid. Removing your old computer with an active license from your account still lets you use Windows without buying another license. If you delete your old account, the license won’t transfer automatically; you’ll need to re-purchase or reactivate it.
There are two main types of Windows licenses. The first is a retail license, and the second is an OEM license (which stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer). With a retail license, you pay the full price upfront and keep the license indefinitely. It’s linked to your Microsoft account, so whenever you buy a new PC, purchase a pre-built unit, or get any Windows device, installing a fresh copy is straightforward. You’ll be prompted to enter the key from your purchase or use the same account if you’ve used it before.
OEM licenses are typically given to companies that build PCs themselves, such as Dell, Lenovo, or HP. These keys are activated only once and remain tied to the specific device you bought. If you later buy another machine, the previous key won’t work. This makes OEM keys much cheaper than retail versions. I hope this explanation is accurate, but let me know if you need any adjustments.
since you purchased your own Windows version and connected it to your Microsoft account, you should be able to use the same installation on both devices. You don’t need an additional copy unless you want separate configurations for each system.
They previously confirmed this point. If it's a retail license, you can move it to another device, but you won't be able to use both at once. Once you activate the new device, the old one will be deactivated. I’m not sure about any advantages of linking it to your Microsoft account, though I remember they noticed when reactivation ran out and would see that you’d been using the PC for a long time before offering a fresh license.