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Just a simple as that, I have a Retail Windows 11 Pro license key appropriate for 2 PCs, and I want to tie it to my MS account (aka digital entitlement), but I have no PC by my hand to install it. How to do this online, without installing Windows with this key?

So far I found only this way that is described on different enthusiast sites https://www.makeuseof.com/link-windows-product-key-microsoft-account/ and which somehow corresponds with the MS official page too

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Is there a way to link the license online without installing? Will the install to temporary VM work?

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  • It should work in a VM.
    – ChanganAuto
    Commented Oct 15, 2023 at 22:10
  • You can install on the same machine in a VM. A retail license allows you to move the license (not so with OEM) but not use it on 2 physical machines simultaneously.
    – anon
    Commented Oct 15, 2023 at 22:14
  • You can’t; Only Windows can generate the digital entitlement for the machine, even then, it’s machine specific
    – Ramhound
    Commented Oct 15, 2023 at 22:39
  • it’s machine specific vs It should work in a VM??? so I am confused whom to believe. Installing it to VM makes no sense?
    – Suncatcher
    Commented Oct 16, 2023 at 1:30
  • @Suncatcher - It's not complicated, Windows will only generate a digital entitlement, if it's installed on a physical or virtual machine. There is no such thing as a Windows license that can be used on two different machines (virtual or physical). Once you install Windows, and link a local user to your Microsoft Account, the link between the digital entitlement and the Microsoft Account is created.
    – Ramhound
    Commented Oct 16, 2023 at 19:40

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