I'm upgrading from an old PC that was handed down to me, and now I'm building my own PC. I've heard that I need to buy a new copy of Windows to install it, but my friend mentioned something about using Clonezilla or other methods to transfer my existing Windows 11 setup to the new machine. Can anyone clarify if I really need to purchase a new license or if there's a way to use my current one?
3 Answers
Well, it really depends on the type of Windows license you have. If you bought a full retail version, you can transfer it to your new machine. You’d just have to contact Microsoft to get it switched over. But if your copy is tied to your old motherboard (like an OEM version), you’ll need to buy a new license for the build. I learned this the hard way last time!
If you're open to it, you might consider not buying Windows at all and just going for a Linux installation. It's free and can work great depending on what you're planning to do with your new PC!
Your Windows license is linked to your hardware. For OEM versions, which are quite common, you’ll have to purchase a new key for your new PC. On the other hand, if you have a full retail version, Microsoft might allow you to transfer the license after a quick call to customer support.
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