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Do you still have access to the product key you previously purchased.
My Windows License Key
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Ģirts Bērziņš
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Hello!
I've upgraded my computer, that is, changed motherboard and processor but my windows key doesn't work, which makes sense because the key is used on my previous pc. The question is, how can I register my new set to this key?
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation
Answer accepted by question author
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DaveM121 810.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor2025-12-05T16:28:18.8066667+00:00 -
Ģirts Bērziņš 0 Reputation points
2025-12-05T18:09:04.91+00:00 Sorry, I reinstalled Windows 2 more times and the last I had to force offline mode because I literally can't stand the idiocy Windows is forcing, like User path as part from email, automatically enabling one drive, complicating making a normal username I've used for more than 20 years. And as stupid as it is, Edge sees I'm signed in, my page sees I'm signed in, MS page sees I'm signed in but I need to sign in to answer.
We're going backwards...What do you mean by access? If you mean, can I still see the Key, then yes and it's OEM which is now locked in my old motherboard. So I just ended up buying a new key, Retail this time. Faster, easier and reliable.
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DaveM121 810.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-12-05T18:15:19.89+00:00 Thank you for that information, if your product key was indicated as an OEM key, then purchasing a Windows licence is the only option, because only a full retail key has transfer rights to another motherboard or PC.
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Ģirts Bērziņš 0 Reputation points
2025-12-05T18:28:56.9133333+00:00 Yeah, it's all good now. After I checked the Key, I remember I bought it even before I got a PC which was supported. So new key was the only way.
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3 additional answers
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DaveM121 810.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-12-05T14:58:06.2066667+00:00 1
Where did you get your Windows licence was that pre-installed on the PC or did you purchase a full retail Windows licence from Microsoft or from a 3rd party retailer?
Or is your Windows licence based on a previous Windows 7 or 8 licence?
2
Download the free ShowKeyPlus app from the Microsoft Store.
Please provide a screenshot of that app window and please hide your product key in the screenshot.
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Ģirts Bērziņš 0 Reputation points
2025-12-05T15:10:32.16+00:00 I bought license key 2 or 3 years ago for Windows 11 and it works fine on the same computer without any issues as I reinstalled windows a few months ago because I changed SSD.
Bot now I changed the computer and want that license key to be active on this computer instead of old one because I'm not gonna use the old computer.
How can I now use some show key thing running from a different computer and a fresh windows installation?
The device is linked to my account which obviously proves I have it.
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Ģirts Bērziņš 0 Reputation points
2025-12-05T15:23:32.77+00:00 I think it was OEM key because it was a reasonable price and that answers the question itself.