Windows Activation question

[nroth]

I have used NTLite to create a slimmed-down Windows 10 installation for myself, one which strips out any and all needs for a Microsoft account. I've installed this on a completely new machine. I want to migrate my windows license over from the old machine, so I can put it out to pasture.

The old computer is also running Windows 10, which was activated with a Windows 7 product key. When I look at the activation status, it says the computer is activated with "a digital license". This license is not linked to any Microsoft account, as even on the old computer, I never used one.

All official information from Microsoft on digital Windows licenses indicates that in order to use them on a new machine, you MUST link them to a Microsoft account, and you MUST use that Microsoft account on the new machine.

Is there any way I can avoid using a Micrsoft account, but still activate Windows with the license I own?
How do the rest of you handle this when you build slimmed-down images with NTLite and strip out the forced Microsoft account?

 

[garlin]

You're not required to link a digital activation to a MS Account. Of course, it's less work to re-activate Windows using a linked account.
Digital activation simply means the MS licensing servers have imprinted your HW ID, in case you need to re-install on the same PC.

How to Transfer your Windows 10 License to a New Computer

 

[nroth]

So if I understood this right, there is no way to extract the license from the machine; reactivation must be done with the original Win7 key.

Welp... that might be an issue Guess it's time to find out how deep the bowels of my drawers and cabinets reach...

 

[garlin]

This script will extract your Retail product key.

ProductKey.vbs

Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
MsgBox ConvertToKey(WshShell.RegRead("HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId"))

Function ConvertToKey(Key)
    Const KeyOffset = 52
    i = 28
    Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
    Do
        Cur = 0
        x = 14
        Do
            Cur = Cur * 256
            Cur = Key(x + KeyOffset) + Cur
            Key(x + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24) And 255
            Cur = Cur Mod 24
            x = x -1
        Loop While x >= 0
        i = i -1
        KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
        If (((29 - i) Mod 6) = 0) And (i <> -1) Then
            i = i -1
            KeyOutput = "-" & KeyOutput
        End If
    Loop While i >= 0
    ConvertToKey = KeyOutput
End Function

 

[nroth]

It ended up not being necessary - but that's a great script. I'm definitely saving that

 

[francis11]

Maybe this can at some to the table explaining.