Need help with windows key, from laptop to pc

Ok thanks for the help

So from what I'm understanding is that retail and oem can be used for only ONE pc at a time? Oem key is typically used for repair people or computer making companies, in a sense I am the maker of my pc. So I could either, buy retail key, use my oem key from my laptop (attach to account) and in a sense swap users and it would be legit, buy a oem key from random person online(which wouldn't my oem key just be more smart to use?), or get it free and have the watermark(can I still use steam and internet?). Thanks to anyone who replies, I'm just trying to understand keys and licensing. Ps. Does anyone know how to attach oem to account, then use my account to do a fresh install on my pc?

No

 

The OEM key is tied to the original machine and can not legally be used on any other machine.

So from what I'm understanding is that retail and oem can be used for only ONE pc at a time? Oem key is typically used for repair people or computer making companies, in a sense I am the maker of my pc. So I could either, buy retail key, use my oem key from my laptop (attach to account) and in a sense swap users and it would be legit, buy a oem key from random person online(which wouldn't my oem key just be more smart to use?), or get it free and have the watermark(can I still use steam and internet?). Thanks to anyone who replies, I'm just trying to understand keys and licensing. Ps. Does anyone know how to attach oem to account, then use my account to do a fresh install on my pc?

OEM keys are usually meant for big manufacturers. Microsoft does not promise you can transfer OEM key into another machine.

 

Retail keys allow indefinite number of transfers between machines.

 

Microsoft promises both keys work on one machine same time.

 

All your scenarios are valid. However like I said, OEM key is not guaranteed to work on desktop.

 

No

 

The OEM key is tied to the original machine and can not legally be used on any other machine.

Wrong. First, OEM key is not tied to original machine. Even Microsoft's official tools disagree with this (activation troubleshooter "I made a recent hardware change").

 

Secondly, it is legal to transfer OEM key into another machine:

 

Source: http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=124564&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=lst&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=716084

 

That matters in European Union. Outside EU Microsoft have pretty hard to tell something is illegal if they in practice provide tools that allow these so called illegal things to happen...

I wish I knew where I read it, but I read that it is legal to move an oem key. The only thing is you have to put the oem key to your account, so that way it's tied to you and the only other catch is it can only be active on ONE pc. But it is not a guarantee it will work(hence I may have to troubleshoot it)

Honestly I feel conscience wise, that it's better to use my oem key then if I bought a cheap pirated one. For all I know an oem key I buy cheap, could just be like the one I plan to use. Which is still in the "grey area"

I wish I knew where I read it, but I read that it is legal to move an oem key. The only thing is you have to put the oem key to your account, so that way it's tied to you and the only other catch is it can only be active on ONE pc. But it is not a guarantee it will work(hence I may have to troubleshoot it)

That applies mostly on Windows 10 as on many cases there is no OEM key at all. This time you have the key. You could still try making account, it may help or then not.

 

Honestly I feel conscience wise, that it's better to use my oem key then if I bought a cheap pirated one. For all I know an oem key I buy cheap, could just be like the one I plan to use. Which is still in the "grey area"

It's up to you. Remember that cheap OEM keys are not necessarily pirated, they may be perfectly legal. It's just very hard to tell if they are.

Decisions decisions......

What OS is on the desktop computer right now?

Windows 8.1

Why don't you simply upgrade the Windows 8.1 that is already in your desktop to Windows 10. It is quick and easy and legal.

Edited by Rocky Bennett, 01 July 2020 - 07:40 AM.

Windows 8.1

 

 

I don't understand. If your PC already has Windows 8.1 on it, why do you want to move the Windows 8.1 that is on your laptop over to your PC?

Lol my pc is not built yet I have all the parts except os. I have a laptop with 8.1 on it and would like to transfer to my new build. I don't know how I can make it more clear lol

Your answer to this question

 

"What OS is on the desktop computer right now?"

 

was

 

 

Windows 8.1

I figured from the post you knew I had nothing on my pc(desktop), and only one os which is 8.1(laptop). It's all good tho. Miscommunication