====== Windows 10 Activation ======
==== Check your Windows 10 license ====
Run the following command in an elevated command prompt:<code>wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey</code>

===== Park a free Windows 10 upgrade license =====

  - Install Windows 10 Home or Pro on the machine you want to park the license, the best way is to install it into a newly created Microsoft VHD Virtual Machine.
  - During installation, enter a valid key of a Windows 7, 8.0, or 8.1 license.
  - OEM licenses can be upgraded too. However, note the limitations of the license. For example, OEM licenses for Dell computers can only be used on Dell computers.
  - Boot into Windows 10 after installation, but do not activate the license yet.
  - Currently, the free licenses expired end of July 2016.


===== Activate a Windows 10 upgrade license =====

  - Make a fresh install of Windows 10 on the new machine.
  - During installation, select //**I don't have a license key**//.
  - After installation is finished, go to Settings --> Update & Security --> Activation and activate Windows 10 with the license key of the original Windows 7, 8.0, or 8.1.

===== Move an activated Windows 10 upgrade license to another machine =====

  - Make sure you register the machine to be retired as a Microsoft device by changing your login to a Microsoft linked account.
  - Copy or Clone the Windows 10 partition of the machine you want to retire (e.g. where the license is moved //from//)
  - Make a fresh install of Windows 10 on the new machine. The fresh install does not need the linked account to be activated later.
  - Move the cloned Windows 10 partition after the fresh install.
  - Modify the BCD Store to a dual-boot configuration. This is easiest done with [[http://neosmart.net/EasyBCD/|EasyBCD]].
  - Boot into the cloned Windows 10 partition which was activated before, then go to Settings --> Update & Security --> Activation. Select //Troubleshoot// (which is not available on a fresh install), then //**I changed hardware on this device recently**//.
  - Activation will take you to your Microsoft account. Select the machine to be retired (see step 1) and select the check box //**This is the device I’m using right now**//, and then select **Activate**. The machine data on Microsofts servers will now be replaced with the one from your new machine.
  - Boot offline into the fresh install and change machine name (and work group) to the one used in the cloned install. Reboot, then connect internet.
  - Wait for auto activation or go to Settings --> Update & Security --> Activation and click **Activate**. The fresh install will now be activated.
  - Delete the cloned install. Using the fresh install ensures that you do not carry outdated drivers and apps for the retired machine with you.

==== Links ====
  * [[https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change|Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change]]
  * [[https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh824839.aspx|Configure UEFI/GPT-Based Hard Drive Partitions]]
  * [[http://www.thewindowsclub.com/deactivate-uninstall-windows-product-key|How to deactivate and uninstall Windows Product Key]]
  * [[http://www.howtogeek.com/261053/when-can-you-move-a-windows-license-to-a-new-pc/|When can you move a Windows license to a new PC?]]
  * [[http://www.dell.com/support/Article/th/en/thbsdt1/SLN300987/EN|How to repair the EFI bootloader on a GPT HDD for Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 on your Dell PC]]