Transfer Microsoft Project license to new computer

Hello David Roth,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum!

I understand that you are trying to move a Microsoft Project 2010 license to a new computer. I truly understand how you feel. Let me assist you go through this situation.

Microsoft Project 2010 is a perpetual (one‑time purchase) license. It can be moved to another computer if:

• It is not an OEM (preinstalled by the PC manufacturer) license, and
• It is used on only one computer at a time.

Microsoft no longer provides online installers for Project 2010, so you must install it from your original media or ISO, then activate by phone if online activation fails. My suggestion steps for you in this case:

1. Check your license type

You can transfer the license only if it is one of these:

• Retail (Product Key)
• Volume License (MAK/KMS)

Not transferable: OEM / “Came with the PC”

If you bought Project 2010 separately (box, download, or MSDN/VL), it is transferable.

2. Uninstall Project 2010 from the old computer

This step is mandatory for license compliance.

On the old PC:

• Control Panel
• Programs and Features
• Uninstall Microsoft Project 2010

You do not need to deactivate manually.

3. Install Project 2010 on the new computer

You must use one of these:

• Original DVD
• Original ISO file
• Company Volume License media (if VL)

Microsoft does not provide new download links for Project 2010. Install Project 2010 normally on the new PC.

4. Enter your original product key

When prompted, enter the same 25‑character key you used before.

If activation fails > this is expected for old licenses.

5. Activate by phone (most common)

1. Open Project 2010
2. When activation fails, choose Activate by phone
3. Call the number shown for your country
4. State:
   • You moved the license to a new computer
   • It is now installed on one device only

Microsoft will provide a confirmation ID. Activation complete.

Please notes, these few things:

• Project 2010 still runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11
• Online activation often fails due to age > phone activation is normal
• One license > one active PC
• Same key, new hardware is allowed (Retail/VL)

I hope this will help with your situation. Please feel free to reach back if you have further update or more questions.

Best Regards,

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment”.   

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.