How to Transfer a Windows Retail License to a New PC (and Remove It From the Old One)

Q: How do I know if my license is retail or OEM?

Open an elevated Command Prompt and run slmgr.vbs /dli. The output shows the channel — *RETAIL* can transfer; *OEM* cannot.

Published ✓ Verified ⏱️ 2 min read January 26, 2026 · by Ryan Bennett

You bought a retail copy of Windows and want to move it to a new PC.

Why: Only retail licenses are transferable. OEM licenses (the kind preinstalled on most prebuilt PCs and laptops) are permanently tied to the original hardware and can’t move. Before activating on the new PC, free the key on the old one so the same single-device license isn’t “in use” twice.

Fix 1: Remove the product key from the old PC

On the old computer, open an elevated Command Prompt (Start > type cmd > Run as administrator), then uninstall the key:

slmgr.vbs /upk

/upk uninstalls the product key of the current Windows edition; after a restart the system is in an Unlicensed state until a new key is installed. To also clear the key out of the registry for good measure:

slmgr.vbs /cpky

Restart the old PC. Keep the key handy — write it down before you do this if you don’t have the original email or box.

Fix 2: Install and activate the key on the new PC

On the new computer:

Open Settings > System > Activation > Change product key > Change, enter your 25-character key, and select Next, or
Use an elevated Command Prompt:
```
slmgr.vbs /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
slmgr.vbs /ato
```
/ipk installs the key; /ato prompts Windows to activate online with Microsoft.

Confirm it worked under Settings > System > Activation (or run slmgr.vbs /xpr).

Fix 3: If online activation is blocked, activate by phone

A transferred retail key sometimes trips an “in use on another device” check. If so:

Run slmgr.vbs /dti to get the installation ID, or use the phone-activation wizard.
Open the Get Help app, search for activation, and follow the prompts to reach Microsoft Support, who can complete a phone activation for a genuine transferable key.

FAQ

How do I know if my license is retail or OEM? Open an elevated Command Prompt and run slmgr.vbs /dli. The output shows the channel — RETAIL can transfer; OEM cannot.

Do I have to remove it from the old PC first? Yes, for a clean transfer. A single-device key activated on two machines will be rejected as over its device limit (error 0xC004C008). Uninstalling the key with /upk frees it.

Sources: Microsoft Learn — Slmgr.vbs options, Microsoft Support — Get help with Windows activation errors