Just curious if anyone has experience moving a non-OEM Windows installation to another computer. This was originally a Windows 8.1 Pro license purchased directly from Microsoft.

From Windows 7 onward, OEM licenses for Windows are locked to a specific motherboard. When that copy of Windows is activated, it will report its serial number and information from the motherboard ...

When Windows comes preinstalled on a computer, it has a license designated for Original Equipment Manufacturers. This OEM license only works to run Windows on the computer it came with, determined ...

Effortlessly transfer Windows 10 license to a fresh device with our expert guide. Simplify the process and ensure seamless activation on your new computer.

User licenses are assigned to a user who may then use Windows 11 on up to 5 devices. An OEM license can be used only on that one device. A Windows 11 Pro or Home Retail key can be used only on one ...

Buying Windows 11 from Microsoft’s website or from a brick-and-mortar store gets you the retail license. If you visit an online retailer like Amazon or Newegg, you can find both retail and OEM ...

If you're not a lawyer, the subject of Windows licensing can be overwhelmingly confusing. Over many years of studying this stuff, I have learned that Microsoft has buried much of this information ...

Microsoft’s members-only OEM Partner Center contains a perfect example of how much confusion surrounds the subject of Windows licensing. Two pages on this supposedly authoritative information ...

To further refine my post and get a little closer to OP's point, some additional information on Windows 7 and Windows 8 OEM licensing: With Windows 7, OEMs generally had one key for each major ...