Windows 11 License / Serial Number – How to transfer

Moving Your Windows 11 License to Another Computer

1. Verify Your License Type

  • Retail keys can be transferred.
  • OEM keys are tied to the original hardware—not transferable.
  • Digital entitlement licenses link to your Microsoft account and may auto-reactivate on new hardware.

2. Extract Your Product Key

Open an Administrator Command Prompt and run:

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

If that returns blank, try in PowerShell (Admin):

(Get-WmiObject -Query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey

If still blank, you likely have a digital-only license—no key is needed; just sign in on the new PC with your Microsoft account.

3. De-register on the Old PC

In an elevated Command Prompt, run:

slmgr.vbs /upk

This uninstalls the key from the old machine, freeing up the license.

4. Install & Activate on the New PC

Option A: Command Line
Open Admin Command Prompt and run:

slmgr.vbs /ipk YOUR-25-CHAR-KEY-HERE
slmgr.vbs /ato

Option B: Settings UI
Go to Settings > System > Activation > Change product key, paste your key, and follow the prompts.


If activation fails, confirm you have a Retail license (Settings > System > Activation) or contact Microsoft support for a manual transfer.

Windows Updates from the Command Line

Open a DOS command prompt as Administrator

C:> winget upgrade

It will list all the application where upgrades are available

Here's an example of a single upgrade

C:> winget upgrade Docker.DockerDesktop

Or update everything with the following

C:> winget upgrade --all

Outlook OST File

If you need to delete your Outlook OST file because it is out of date, it's here:

C:\Users\mruckman\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook