Microsoft has 15 different hardware IDs to be used in various scenarios, the one that determines if a digital license on a device is valid is hardware ID 3. However, its hardware ID (HWID) must remain the same (no major hardware changes). When Windows 10 is activated for the first time, that device gets a valid digital license for the activated edition, for the lifetime of that device. If it shows that your license is from OEM channel, you cannot transfer the license: Software License Manager opens a prompt telling about your license. To check if you have an OEM, non-transferrable license, enter the following command in an elevated PowerShell or Command Prompt: slmgr /dli

One somewhat grey area is Microsoft’s tech support: on various tech sites and forums you can read about users claiming that talking to the activation helpline succeeded, and an OEM license reactivated even after both motherboard and CPU were swapped out and automatic activation failed. OEM licenses can’t be transferred to new devices, and they cannot be used to reactivate Windows 10 when major hardware changes such as replacing motherboards occur. Multiple Activation Keys (MAK) are also shown as Retail in the Windows Software License Manager (slmgr.vbs). All single use Visual Studio subscription keys are also Retail keys. One exception: so-called System Builder versions which are also OEM licenses. If Windows 10 was purchased from Microsoft or some licensed retailer, it is a Retail license. Here’s a good rule of thumb: If a Windows 10 device comes with Windows preinstalled, it is a so-called OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) license.

Taking care of your digital licenses is equally important whether you have just one device, or a complex home network with multiple devices. Many of you geeks have a Visual Studio subscription (formerly known as MSDN), with lots of product keys to use.

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