win10
win10
It seems you're questioning the ability to change or remove a license. Once it's set up, it appears it won't be possible to deactivate it.
Do you want to use your current license again, or do you need help moving your old operating system to the new one?
It varies based on the source. An OEM copy sold alongside a manufacturer's computer may not be transferable, while a standalone product license can be reused.
I assembled a PC and purchased W10 from PCWorld. Now I don’t own that machine and can’t reach it. I’ve constructed a fresh one and don’t wish to invest another £150. I possess the USB and license key.
You don’t have to spend $150 for a fresh license. You can obtain one inexpensively online, whether through eBay or another secondary marketplace. If your old computer is still working today and in use, transferring the license might not be possible even if you still possess it. If the license has expired due to hardware failure or other issues... it could still function. Ideally, linking the license to your Microsoft account would allow remote deactivation and reactivation elsewhere. Still, it’s worth a try. In the worst scenario, you might end up paying around $10 for a new license on eBay.
Your Windows copy functions as a retail license (not an OEM). You may use it on another PC, but it must remain active on just one device at once. Licenses purchased from unlicensed resellers often breach the EULA, which is why I advise against that approach.
They’ve technically been able to restrict his access to a purchased key, but they won’t enforce it. Otherwise, they’d have already acted on the large number of users who did the same before. Some accounts were removed, though these usually involved stolen cards and quick resales to unsuspecting buyers. If the keys are genuine and sourced from a system integrator in another country that buys them cheaply, there’s no real risk. In most cases, you’d only lose under $10—better than investing another £150 on a device that will soon fail.