Transferring Windows 11 Retail Key from Old PC to New One (Local Accounts)

Transferring Windows 11 Retail Key from Old PC to New One (Local Accounts)

Windows 11 Retail keys can be transferred from an old PC to a new one while keeping your local account settings and applications. However, the process can be a bit tricky, especially when dealing with local accounts. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to transfer your Windows 11 Retail key from an old PC to a new one using local accounts.

System Activation Settings on Old PC

Before you begin, make sure your old PC is activated with the Windows 11 Retail key. To check your current activation status, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type the following command:

The output should look like:

If you prefer not to log the key, add the /nlm switch to the command:

System Activation Settings on New PC

Now, let's move on to the new PC. First, make sure you have a clean installation of Windows 11. Once you've set up your new PC, follow these steps:

Step 1: Transfer the Old Product Key

Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type:

Replace XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX with your old product key.

Step 2: Activate Windows 11

Type the following command to activate Windows 11:

If the activation is successful, you'll see a message saying, "Windows is activated."

Transferring Local Accounts and Applications

To transfer your local accounts and applications, you can use Microsoft's built-in tool called "Windows Easy Transfer." Here's how:

Step 1: Install Windows Easy Transfer on the New PC

Go to the Microsoft website and download the Windows Easy Transfer tool:

• https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=37411

Install the tool on your new PC.

Step 2: Connect the Old and New PCs

Connect both PCs using a USB cable or a network connection. Make sure both PCs are turned on and logged in with the administrator account.

Step 3: Transfer Data

On the new PC, open the Windows Easy Transfer tool and follow the on-screen instructions to transfer your data.

In this article, we've covered how to transfer a Windows 11 Retail key from an old PC to a new one using local accounts. We've also shown you how to transfer your local accounts and applications using the Windows Easy Transfer tool. By following these steps, you can save time and effort while ensuring a smooth transition to a new PC.