How do i ensure that a freshly installed version of windows 10 pro picks up my existing licence ? Replacing hard drive with SSD on the laptop. I have downloaded a windows 10 pro iso. and have linked my current profile into a microsoft account.
Nothing needed.If hardware is same(as in case of laptop) then just replacing hdd with ssd or increasing/replacing ram won't have any effect on activation.Just install win 10 & connect online,it will be automatically activated within a few minutes.
It would be good to sign in with your outlook email address and link your license. In case it doesn't activate automatically, logging in with outlook account should transfer license.
Well Microsoft states it in one of their KBs, and a new Win 10 license is treated as OEM. Should cover HDD to SSD replacement, talked to a MS rep, but in many cases just won't do, and never found a reason why . MS seems to be in a way selective when granting license to some configuration change, whereas in some other case it behaves like installed on a completely new machine. OEM cases should be worried about MB replacement only, or several other hardware components at once, and MS states it. But unfortunately this isn't a common rule, so we all depend on some luck .Cheers!
We have been replacing hdd's for ssd's for as long as the hwid's can be established (almost 3 years now), never a problem.
Sure, but it seems that in some cases a mere transfer HDD to SSD triggers HWID change in a way MS activation communication estranges, and recognizes as if it were a new HWID. Anyway does anyone know how many characters change in HWID is a limit after which MS un-recognizes one's machine as a new configuration after newly imported piece of hardware?
I don't think anybody knows that except MS.Rule of thumb is changing mobo or lan adapter triggers new hardware flag.Anything else is a case of bad luck.