FairSoftware

Free tool

Licence Transfer Eligibility Checker

Retail or OEM, new PC or new motherboard — what Microsoft's licence terms actually say.

What kind of licence do you have?

What are you trying to do?

Verdict

Pick a licence type and a scenario to see a verdict.

This tool inspects and validates nothing. It summarises Microsoft's published licence terms against the answers you give. For a specific agreement, check the terms supplied with your licence.

About this tool

Whether you can move a Windows or Office licence to another machine depends on how it was licensed in the first place. Retail licences may be transferred to a replacement PC once the old installation is removed; OEM licences are tied to the device they were first installed on. Answer a few questions and this tool explains the relevant terms and gives you a verdict. It cannot check whether a particular key is valid or genuine — only Microsoft can do that.

How to use the Microsoft Licence Transfer Eligibility Checker

  1. Choose the product you are asking about: Windows or Office.
  2. Say how it was licensed: retail (bought separately) or OEM (pre-installed with the PC).
  3. Describe what has changed: new PC, replaced motherboard, or adding a second machine.
  4. Confirm whether the software has been removed from the original device.
  5. Read the verdict and the licence-terms explanation behind it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I move an OEM licence to a new PC?
No. Under Microsoft's OEM terms the licence stays with the device it was first installed on, and it cannot be transferred to a different computer.
Does replacing the motherboard break my licence?
For an OEM licence, Microsoft treats a motherboard replacement as a new PC, unless the board is replaced under warranty as a like-for-like repair. Retail licences survive the change but usually need reactivation.
Can one licence cover two machines?
No. The licences we sell cover a single device each. You need one licence per machine.
Can this tool tell me if my key is genuine?
No. Nothing here checks key validity, activation status or authenticity — it only explains the licence terms that apply to your situation.

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