Windows 10 key

[TourGuide]

Eventually I'll be moving all of my retail Win 7 licenses to Win 10.

My question is - how do I receive my Windows 10 license key since the key I have now is for 7? As I understand it, this will really only be necessary (the key) if I change hardware - which I eventually will do.

 

[Ketchup]

You have to go through the upgrade process on each computer you want a Windows 10 key for.

 

[Dahak]

As ketchup79 said,
You have to do the Upgrade Process on the machine that you what Win10 on.
Once the Upgrade is done and verified that it is activated, then you can do a clean install on it at anytime with no issues.

For changing hardware, unless your Win7 is retail, you would have to purchase a new copy of Win10 anyway, as per the licensing you cannot move they software (again unless Retail)

So OEM, SystemBuilder, Win7 that came with the computer(Dell,HP,ect..) cannot be moved to any other machine

 

[Puffnstuff]

You don't get a key per se, you register your hardware when you upgrade in place and activate 10. Once this happens you are all set and later on just skip the key steps when clean installing. Once your pc goes back online it will activate for you without issue.

 

[TourGuide]

Yes - all of my licenses at home are retail - so I know I can change hardware as I wish (part of the reason I paid for the retail license).

My question is really - if I don't get a key after I upgrade - and I do change hardware - how do I clean install on new hardware without a key? How is MS going to know that I am reinstalling with a valid license if it looks like a new box? What if ALL of the components get swapped out and I want to clean install on a config like that? Am I forked - or will there be a way to validate my Windows license other than a key?

 

[Ketchup]

Why do you think you wouldn't get a key after you upgrade?

The ONLY ones who won't be getting a new key will be those running Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 on an OEM machine with the license embedded in the BIOS.

Edit: OK, scratch that. I think I got it right in post 11.

 

[Chiropteran]

Why do you think you wouldn't get a key after you upgrade?

The ONLY ones who won't be getting a new key will be those running Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 on an OEM machine with the license embedded in the BIOS.

I think you are a bit confused, or maybe I am.

Many people have upgraded from Windows 7 or windows 8 to 10, and none of them have received keys.

I think you wouldn't get a key after you upgrade because I actually did upgrade, multiple computers, and none of them received keys.

 

[FrankRamiro]

FREE UPGRADES OR NOT

Q. Does the Windows 10 free upgrade offer only last 12 months from 29 July 2015 to 29 July 2016?

A. YES

Q. If I am still running Windows 95, Millennium (Me), XP or Vista on my computer can I get a free upgrade to Windows 10?

A. NO

Q. I have a system running Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 – am I eligible for the free Windows 10 upgrade?

A. YES

Q. I have a system running Windows 8 with the Windows 8.1 Update installed – can I get a free upgrade to Windows 10?

A. YES

Q. Can I transfer my Windows 10 installation to another computer after getting the free upgrade?

A. NO



ALL ABOUT WINDOWS INSIDER PERKS



Q. I am a Windows 10 Insider. Can I upgrade to Windows 10 RTM for free on 29 July from the preview builds, then stop participating in the Windows Insider Program?

A. NO

Q. Will that copy of Windows 10 RTM that upgraded my preview build be a genuine copy of Windows 10?

A. NO

Q. If I want to continue as a Windows Insider, can I install a current build of Windows 10 preview, then use my Microsoft Account with it to get upgraded to Windows 10 RTM on 29 July?

A. YES

Q. Will I continue to get new builds of Windows 10 after 29 July if I choose to remain in the Insider program?

A. YES

Q. Will those builds ever expire?

A. YES

Q. If I want to upgrade a Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 PC on 29 July that hasn't been part of the Insider program, do I have to sign up before 29 July, or can I sign up after that date?

A. YES. They are keeping the Insider Program running after RTM is delivered on 29 July so that should mean sign ups can happen after that date.

Q. If I signed up as a Windows Insider prior to 29 July, 2015, and continue downloading every build before RTM, so I can upgrade to Windows 10 RTM, can I then perform a clean install of Windows 10 after the upgrade?

A. YES. Windows Insiders will be able to perform clean install of any testing build of Windows 10 after RTM is released - just like in the current Insider process.

The RTM version that Insiders will receive will be just like that provided to everyone else expect it will have a time bomb in it that will expire the build unless you install a new Insider build.

Q. My to-do list for 29 July: Upgrade to the RTM and activate. Then I want to download the ISO, install a new SSD and clean install Win 10 RTM on that, then opt out of the Insiders Program. After I opt out of the Insiders Program, is my activation and license is good forever on that PC? Will I still receive Win10 updates?

A. YES. The Windows 10 Upgrade is for the life of that device.

As for Windows 10 updates - yes you will still get them but they will come out to non-Insiders after they have been tested by MS and Insiders.

Q. If I have a computer that I just built and I do not own any version of Windows for it, can I join the Windows Insider Program and install Windows 10 RTM on it before or after 29 July 2015?

YES

Q. Me again with the computer I just built. So -- will that version of Windows then be considered genuine?

A. NO

Q. If I opt out of the Windows Insider program before 29 July 2016 can I still use the free Windows upgrade if my device had a genuine copy of Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1) or Windows 8 (with Windows 8.1 Update) before I used it for the Insider program?

A. YES

Q. If I opt out of the Windows Insider program after 30 July 2016 do I need to buy a new Windows 10 license if my device had a genuine copy of Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1) or Windows 8 (with Windows 8.1 Update) before I used it for the Insider program?

A. YES

THE INS AND OUTS OF LICENSES



Q. I have a retail license for my Windows 7 machine. As you know, I can transfer that license from one machine to another. So can I upgrade to Windows 10 for free, then transfer my Windows 7 retail license to a second machine and upgrade that one to Windows 10 too?

A. NO.

Q. Okay, how about if I have a retail license for Windows 8.1?

A. Still no.

Q. What if I bought a retail license that was purchased online or in a store - does the system upgraded to the free Windows 10 upgrade remain licensed as a retail license?

A. YES.

Q. If I purchased my copy of Windows 7 or 8/8.1 as a retail license from either a brick-and-mortar store or an online store, then I upgrade to Windows 10, can I transfer that upgrade to a new computer under the retail licensing?

A. YES

Q. If I purchase a copy of windows 7 after 29 July will I still be eligible for a free upgrade to windows 10?

A. YES. All properly licensed Windows 7 and 8.1 machines are eligible for the free upgrade until 29 July 2016.

Q. I have a laptop and own the copy of Windows 7 Ultimate that is installed on it. I need to upgrade that laptop to Windows 10. However, after the upgrade, I would like to install the Windows 7 Ultimate OS into VirtualBox along with our old Windows XP copy for demonstration purposes. Can I do that?

A. NO. Since you are using the Windows 7 Ultimate license as the base for upgrading to Windows 10 on that device the Windows 7 license is locked to that machine and is not able to be moved. What you can do is upgrade that Windows 7 Ultimate machine to Windows 10 Pro, the version it is allowed to upgrade to.

Q. I have Windows 8.1 with embedded key . If I upgrade to Windows 10 will that key be changed and no longer work for Windows 8.1 ?

A. NO. If your system has an embedded key, then it is most likely an OEM system with an OEM license of Windows 8.1. You will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free and the system will be a valid install of Windows 10 and activated. Note that this is just for that machine.

Q. Still me with the OEM and Windows 8.1 with the embedded key. What if I upgrade now, and let’s say 16 months from now I want to go back to Windows 8.1 --can I do that? And then back to windows 10 a few months after that? Can I go back and forth whenever I want long as its on the same PC ?

A. YES, YES and YES, although I can’t imagine any usage scenario where you’d actually want to keep flipping back and forth between two operating systems like that.

To the first YES: the ability to simply revert your upgrade from 8.1 to Windows 10 is for just 30 days. After that you can revert back but it will require a reinstall of 8.1.

To the second YES: If you do the Windows 10 upgrade in the first 12 months it will be free for the lifetime of that device so you will be able to install Windows 10 after that on that system.



ALL ABOUT OEMS



Q. Is it true that the free upgrade to Windows 10 retains the properties of the license that was on the upgraded Windows 7 or 8.1 system? In other words if I am on an OEM system, when I upgrade it with a free Windows 10 upgrade, is it still licensed as an OEM system?

A. YES

Q. I have a genuine copy of Windows 7 Professional on my laptop. I have never installed any Windows 10 build. Can I perform a clean install of Windows 10 instead of an upgrade? Does this change depending on whether I have an OEM or Retail copy? Are there any drawbacks to not performing a clean install if this is not possible?

A. YES. Microsoft has stated that a clean install will be possible on a retail or OEM copy as long as it is a genuine system.

Q. If I built my own computer and purchased an OEM license for that hardware from either a bricks-and-mortar store or an online vendor, does my OEM license transfer to the Windows 10 upgrade after 29 July 2015?

A. YES

Q. Can I transfer that OEM based Windows 10 upgrade to another computer?

A. NO

Q. In my SMB, we have almost exclusively OEM Windows 7 Pro licenses that came with the computers. These computers are joined to a domain. Do my machines get a free upgrade? How?

A. YES. As an OEM licenses, they are eligible for the free Windows 10 upgrade. You’ll have to download the ISO for installing and upgrading the operating systems, as domain joined machines will not see the "Get Windows 10" app.

Q. If I upgrade to my OEM machine to Windows 10 from Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1) or Windows 8 (with Windows 8.1 Update), what if I want to upgrade a component in my PC a few months from now? Do the Windows 7/Windows 8.1 OEM upgrade rules apply in Windows ?

A. YES. The same algorithm will be used to determine if enough hardware has changed to trigger having to re-authorize that system. Some hardware changes will not cause a system to be de-authorized and others will.





FLIPPING BETWEEN OPERATING SYSTEMS



Q. If I upgrade to the final version of Windows 10 anytime during the first year from a system with a genuine version of Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1) or Windows 8 (with Windows 8.1 Update) installed can I reinstall Windows 10?

A. YES

Q. Can I do a clean install of Windows 10 from a system with a genuine version of Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1) or Windows 8 (with Windows 8.1 Update) installed?

A. YES

Q. If I upgrade to the final version of Windows 10 anytime during the first year from a system with a non-genuine version of Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1) or Windows 8 (with Windows 8.1 Update) installed can I upgrade to Windows 10?

A. NO

Q. Do I need to use a Microsoft Account to upgrade my Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1) or Windows 8 (with windows 8.1 Update) system to Windows 10?

A. NO

Q. I understand both my Win7 SP1 PRO computers will get upgraded to Windows 10 (I have reserved the upgrade). Will I need a Microsoft account to "store" the Windows 10 keys after the upgrade (for future rebuilds) or can I continue avoiding using a MS account?

A. WE DON’T KNOW. Microsoft has not confirmed how they will track your activation and install yet. When they do confirm how they track your activation and install, we’ll let you know.

Q. Can Microsoft ever make its messaging completely clear?

A. NO

 

[Puffnstuff]

When you upgrade and activate 10 your hardware ID is tied to your OS. When you clean install later your hardware ID will allow 10 to reactivate once it goes back online with the clean install. I've done this twice with two difference pc's and skipped the key entry section and 10 reactivated itself without issue. There is no key given and if you use a key extractor you will only get a generic key and you can waste time entering it if you want to but it isn't necessary to do so.

 

[FrankRamiro]

Eventually I'll be moving all of my retail Win 7 licenses to Win 10.

My question is - how do I receive my Windows 10 license key since the key I have now is for 7? As I understand it, this will really only be necessary (the key) if I change hardware - which I eventually will do.

You have to buy Win 10 retail to be able to move win 10 to another Machine different hardware but you can't keep 2 different PC's with same win 10 at same time,unless you are a company like Dell HP and so on these can buy licences,i go around that buying same computer modle# same mother board.

 

[Ketchup]

I think you are a bit confused, or maybe I am.

Many people have upgraded from Windows 7 or windows 8 to 10, and none of them have received keys....

I do like Puffnstuff's answer to this:

When you upgrade and activate 10 your hardware ID is tied to your OS. When you clean install later your hardware ID will allow 10 to reactivate once it goes back online with the clean install. I've done this twice with two difference pc's and skipped the key entry section and 10 reactivated itself without issue.

It DOES have to be activated with an upgrade for the free offer to apply. After that, you are set to reinstall or whatever you want to do with it (based on the license type of the upgrade).

Here is an article on how this works:
http://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-quietly-rewrites-its-activation-rules-for-windows-10/

With Windows 10, Microsoft has rewritten the rules for how it performs product activation on retail upgrades of Windows, including the free upgrades available for a year beginning on July 29, 2015. The net result is that clean installs will be much easier--but only after you get past the first one.

I was misinformed about how the product key works (Can't remember where I read that). There isn't one, at least not a traditional one.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2970...roduct-key-after-upgrading-to-windows-10.html

 

[TourGuide]

Thanks ketchup - that ZDnet link had just what I was looking for at the very end. Here is the quote -

The one exception is a motherboard replacement, which will inevitably cause the Software Licensing Management utility to recognize the device as a new PC and require reactivation, typically over the phone. A motherboard upgrade, even if you reuse storage, video, memory, and a case, is considered a new PC. In that case, if the underlying Windows license is from a retail copy, that license can be transferred. If you are upgrading (and not replacing) a motherboard on an OEM PC that was sold with Windows preinstalled, the license agreement prevents the license from being transferred.

I was reasonably sure that my retail license RIGHTS transferred to my upgraded copy of Windows 10 - and they DO. Once I upgrade and activate I can then have the same rights to change any of the hardware from that machine and continue to have a valid and genuine copy of Windows 10. I'm not asking about installing on multiple machines, or trying to circumvent any legitimate limitations of the license - I just want to make sure (and I am assured) that the retail license rights I have with my Windows 7 retail copy also transfer over to my upgraded Windows 10. If that did not happen - why the h*ll would I upgrade from a retail license to an OEM license?!

I do like Puffnstuff's answer to this:



It DOES have to be activated with an upgrade for the free offer to apply. After that, you are set to reinstall or whatever you want to do with it (based on the license type of the upgrade).

Here is an article on how this works:
http://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-quietly-rewrites-its-activation-rules-for-windows-10/


I was misinformed about how the product key works (Can't remember where I read that). There isn't one, at least not a traditional one.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2970...roduct-key-after-upgrading-to-windows-10.html

 

[Puffnstuff]

If things should go awry for me I have two windows 7 os's plus another 10 that hasn't been installed on anything that could be used. I could always fall back on 8.1 but I don't have any plans to do that because 10 is the future and I'm all about moving forward.

 

[JeffMD]

You don't need an ms account? I thought that's what the key gets tied too.

 

[Underclocked]

"Q. If I purchased my copy of Windows 7 or 8/8.1 as a retail license from either a brick-and-mortar store or an online store, then I upgrade to Windows 10, can I transfer that upgrade to a new computer under the retail licensing?

A. YES"

The question was and remains... HOW?

 

[Ketchup]

Tourguide quoted the answer for you. It would probably take a phone call.

 

[Kenmitch]

Tourguide quoted the answer for you. It would probably take a phone call.

Probably....Although it would be cooler if it was cooked into the OS. Shuts down rig > yanks boot drive > builds new rig > inserts boot drive > windows boots....goes uh oh > OEM copy....We're sorry but you are not allowed to move this copy of windows to a new system > Retail copy....Would you like to transfer this copy of windows to a new system?

 

[Underclocked]

Even simpler yet, we could be given a key to allow install of a retail copy. I'm not convinced at this point that the system in place will support transference rights. I would ask TourGuide to put that to the test to see if it will actually work.

 

[SparkyJJO]

They got that info straight from the EULA, it just doesn't say HOW that is done. I'd like to know, but at the same time I'm not worried about it either. I'll just cross that bridge when I get to it. Unless Microsoft intends to violate their own legal documentation I'm not concerned.

 

[Freejack2]

So if I'm doing a new build, I shouldn't upgrade to windows 10 on my existing hardware?
I should install my new hardware (motherboard, processor, ram), reinstall windows 7, activate 7, then upgrade that?

 

[tnt118]

That's certainly easiest, yeah. You can clean install very easily after you've done the upgrade procedure on the new equipment. Make sure 10 is activated before you wipe.

 

[Chiropteran]

It DOES have to be activated with an upgrade for the free offer to apply. After that, you are set to reinstall or whatever you want to do with it (based on the license type of the upgrade).

I was misinformed about how the product key works (Can't remember where I read that). There isn't one, at least not a traditional one.

The question remains: how can you transfer your copy, if it was upgraded from retail? Maybe they will actually give you a usable key at some point, with an update, but how could it know if it's from an original OEM upgrade or retail upgrade, especially since the PC could have been completely wiped and Windows 10 freshly installed? Perhaps a flag gets set when you activate, as an oem activation or retail activation, but this is just a guess.

 

[Ketchup]

Keys are now a thing of the past (well, almost).

 

[Chiropteran]

Keys are now a thing of the past (well, almost).

Doesn't seem like it-

They just don't give you a key with the free upgrade... even though you would need one to move a retail license.

 

[WilliamM2]

I think even with a retail copy, you will need to install that retail copy (7 or 8) on the new hardware, and then upgrade it to 10 again. But the free upgrade is only for 1 year, so if you change hardware after that, how will you get back to 10 then?

They tell you that you will retain retail rights on one hand, and then state the free upgrade is good for "the life of the device". Clear as can be...