[Fnoord]

When I replaced a motherboard (rest of the hw was OK) Microsoft was of the opinion I had a 'new computer' and would need to buy a new Windows 10 license (of IIRC 150 EUR → scoundrels). I went to G2A and bought one for 20 EUR. Then it hit me. This occurred before when my previous motherboard/CPU was broken, and back then I actually called Microsoft where they insisted on selling me a new license. I did exactly the same back then.

[literalAardvark]

I've handled technical+legal concerns for licensing for a very small org in a different lifetime, and yes, that's exactly how Microsoft used to think of licenses. I don't know how it works these days, it's someone else's problem.

We had to archive invoices+servicing documentation for warrantied mobos from the supplier to keep a legal licensing chain.

[Fnoord]

I remember the path my license had: it was a free upgrade to Windows 10, from Windows 7 (right before they removed said free upgrade; I tend to be slow with adapter Windows versions). The original Windows 7 license was a pirated one, but that didn't matter (we know why: before GDPR, Microsoft could spy on Windows 10 users, and the pirated Windows 7 was already a lost sale).

Apparently the free upgrade was OEM, bound to the hardware. I did not know. Either way, I'm from Europe (EU), and here a software license cannot be exhausted via second hand market, so it stands to reason I can buy one second hand. That this isn't what Microsoft support is told to discuss, suuure (even when I explicitly asked for it, they insisted I had to buy it via them).

[techcode]

I've had quite the opposite experience with Microsoft.

One time their support just give me a licence for a newer version of Windows - I've replaced the HDD/SSD, cloned/copied it and it was not activated. I contacted their chat support from that laptop and when they asked me for licence on the sticker I mentioned I'll have to come back in 5 minutes since I'll have to turn off laptop, and take out battery to see the MS sticker/hologram.

Support said "No worries, here's a new activation key".

Can't recall if it was from XP to Win 7, or Win 7 to 10.

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And after buying 2 or 3 licences from another website just like G2A (Win 10 was ~€10 on Instant-Gaming) - a bunch of new computers (even brand new assembled desktops) were automatically activated.