Windows 10, one year later?

[IgoByte]

I know that this has been a matter of some debate and the subject of many articles on and off line, but I'm bringing it up anyway.

The reason: unable to activate Windows 10 (clean install after initial upgrade from Windows 7), I called Microsoft a few days ago only to be told to let it sit and that it would activate by itself within a couple of days. That didn't happen. I called again today, spent a grueling 30 minutes on the phone to be told that Windows 10 can only be activated as an upgrade and that doing a clean install after upgrading and activating it won't work.

Moreover, and this is the important part, I was told that, if upgraded, Microsoft will require the purchase of a Windows 10 product key once the year is up (i.e. July 2016). Surprised to hear this, I asked to speak with a supervisor who confirmed it.

Microsoft is pushing Windows 10 very aggressively; more aggressively than any OS I can recall, under the premise of a "free" upgrade, but it seems that by upgrading we'll be forced to purchase Windows 10 after all.

This is at once a heads-up and a query. Has anyone else had a similar experience? What's Microsoft doing here?

 

[SparkyJJO]

Well so far everything you were told flies in the face of what they've said and at least with the first part what has been people's experience.

I did the upgrade for a coworker, then we put a SSD in and did a clean Win10 install on that, activated right away. Did you make sure Win10 was activated on your system after the upgrade from Win7 before doing the clean install? If it hadn't activated yet from the upgrade, then that would explain why it didn't activate when doing the fresh install.

MS has said in every written document about it that the upgrade is for the life of the device.

 

[IgoByte]

Did you make sure Win10 was activated on your system after the upgrade from Win7 before doing the clean install? If it hadn't activated yet from the upgrade, then that would explain why it didn't activate when doing the fresh install.

Absolutely. Upgraded to Windows 10, activated without a hitch.

 

[Sabrewings]

Absolutely. Upgraded to Windows 10, activated without a hitch.

Did you tie it to your Microsoft account after the upgrade, then log in with the same Microsoft account on your clean install? This worked on several machines for me.

 

[IgoByte]

Did you tie it to your Microsoft account after the upgrade, then log in with the same Microsoft account on your clean install? This worked on several machines for me.

I did not. I wanted to use a local user account when logging into Win 10.

 

[JackMDS]

If you still have the valid key of Win 7 try to make a new Install of Win 7 activate it and then Upgrade to Win 10.

BTW. Upgrading to Win 10 is always a clean Install. I.e., even when you do in-place Install all of Win 7 stuff is put inactive into a storage Folder name Windows.old and the actual new Install of Win 10 is all new.

If that is Not good enough, after In-place Upgrade to Win 10 you can uninstall/saree from it all you Files and App and you would have a clean Installation of Win 10.

-----------
P.S. The trouble that you describe is Not a year Later, it is only 6 weeks later. It happened after the 240 release . At that time the Activation system seem to change and it does not Activate any more with the generic Keys were used early in the "game".

 

[Z15CAM]

I question whether if you "Upgrade" from Win7 to WinX, if you still have the option to use a SYS-Prep Image?

I'll experiment with it in the future but no worth my time right now.

Would like to know if you enter " %windir%\System32\Sysprep\Sysprep.exe" in a WinX UpGrade into an elevated CMD prompt - Does it work?

From my experience No MS UpGrade does - Only a Clean Install is capable of utilizing SYS-Prep.

What does MS mean by a Free WinX OS?

 

[JackMDS]

I doubt that sysperp can do any thing for Win 10 unless it is the Enterprise/Education Version.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I know that this has been a matter of some debate and the subject of many articles on and off line, but I'm bringing it up anyway.

The reason: unable to activate Windows 10 (clean install after initial upgrade from Windows 7), I called Microsoft a few days ago only to be told to let it sit and that it would activate by itself within a couple of days. That didn't happen. I called again today, spent a grueling 30 minutes on the phone to be told that Windows 10 can only be activated as an upgrade and that doing a clean install after upgrading and activating it won't work.

Moreover, and this is the important part, I was told that, if upgraded, Microsoft will require the purchase of a Windows 10 product key once the year is up (i.e. July 2016). Surprised to hear this, I asked to speak with a supervisor who confirmed it.

Microsoft is pushing Windows 10 very aggressively; more aggressively than any OS I can recall, under the premise of a "free" upgrade, but it seems that by upgrading we'll be forced to purchase Windows 10 after all.

This is at once a heads-up and a query. Has anyone else had a similar experience? What's Microsoft doing here?

I would totally doubt what you said....highlighted.....

 

[RampantAndroid]

I suspect you misunderstood them. What they probably said was that after 1 year, you would need to pay to upgrade a system that was not upgraded during the free period.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Did you tie it to your Microsoft account after the upgrade, then log in with the same Microsoft account on your clean install? This worked on several machines for me.

MS account is unnecessary.

 

[OlyAR15]

Did you enter a product key when doing the fresh install? You are supposed to skip that part and allow win10 to activate on it own. I've done this and it worked without a hitch.

 

[matricks]

MS account is unnecessary.

I can confirm this, after upgrading five computers to Windows 10.

Did you enter a product key when doing the fresh install? You are supposed to skip that part and allow win10 to activate on it own. I've done this and it worked without a hitch.

And this as well.

You can still reinstall Windows 7 and redo the upgrade. You might want to use the upgrade wizard to create a USB drive for installation media. You can use it to perform a clean install afterwards, and it ensures that you get the right edition.

Key points for success:
- Make sure Windows 7 is activated and has Internet access before and during upgrade.
- Perform upgrade from running Windows 7.
- Once logged in to Windows 10, confirm you have Internet access.
- Check System properties (Win+Break key) and see if Windows 10 is activated, and if it's Home or Pro edition. If not activated immediately, give it some time and a reboot (Internet access required).
- Once activated, reboot and clean install. Make sure you install the correct edition, the same as what you upgraded to. You will not get any hints about the issue if you upgraded to 10 Home and clean installed 10 Pro or vice versa.
- Skip all prompts for product key entry. Windows 10 is supposed to figure it out itself, you should never enter any product key.

 

[IgoByte]

Did you enter a product key when doing the fresh install? You are supposed to skip that part and allow win10 to activate on it own. I've done this and it worked without a hitch.

I didn't enter a product key during the clean install. I skipped the step. It's supposed to activate once Windows is installed.

 

[IgoByte]

I would totally doubt what you said....highlighted.....

I doubted it too until I heard and had it confirmed. Everything I had read on the topic seems to state that if upgraded during the first year, Windows 10 would be supported free of any fees for the duration of its supported life.

I even thought that I misunderstood the first person with whom I spoke, but the second confirmed what he had said. Microsoft's language around this being as ambiguous as it is - and Microsoft being what it is - it wouldn't surprise me in the least.
Based on what I heard (and it was by no means clear), Microsoft may continue supporting Windows 10 for those who upgraded for free, but downgrade certain features.

Like I said, just a heads-up. This came straight from the horse's mouth (in this case Microsoft's tech support department).

 

[IgoByte]

I suspect you misunderstood them. What they probably said was that after 1 year, you would need to pay to upgrade a system that was not upgraded during the free period.

Like I said in my earlier response, I initially thought I misunderstood too and did a double take. The guy said that "Windows 10 is free for a year." I asked him to clarify what that meant - whether he means that it's free (for good) if upgraded during the first year or that that MS will start charging (in some fashion) for those who upgraded during the first year after their 12-month "trial" was up.

He said, in no uncertain terms, that those who upgraded during the first year would need to purchase a product key after July 29th, 2016 in order to retain the functionality. I was in disbelief, because that conflicted what I had read, and asked him to speak to his supervisor/manager. He only confirmed it.
It's probably worth mentioning that both guys were Indian (or at least had an Indian accent), but spoke good English - especially the supervisor.

 

[quikah]

the many posts I have seen talking about support indicates that they are very poorly trained.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I doubted it too until I heard and had it confirmed. Everything I had read on the topic seems to state that if upgraded during the first year, Windows 10 would be supported free of any fees for the duration of its supported life.

I even thought that I misunderstood the first person with whom I spoke, but the second confirmed what he had said. Microsoft's language around this being as ambiguous as it is - and Microsoft being what it is - it wouldn't surprise me in the least.
Based on what I heard (and it was by no means clear), Microsoft may continue supporting Windows 10 for those who upgraded for free, but downgrade certain features.

Like I said, just a heads-up. This came straight from the horse's mouth (in this case Microsoft's tech support department).

I would highly doubt those people are correct given that everyone has been told right there in writing on their screen in plain english when doing the update that it is free for the life of the device.

In short - they're wrong. And it wouldn't be the first time MS tech support is wrong about their own stuff.

 

[IgoByte]

I would highly doubt those people are correct given that everyone has been told right there in writing on their screen in plain english when doing the update that it is free for the life of the device.

In short - they're wrong. And it wouldn't be the first time MS tech support is wrong about their own stuff.

I sincerely hope so.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I doubted it too until I heard and had it confirmed. Everything I had read on the topic seems to state that if upgraded during the first year, Windows 10 would be supported free of any fees for the duration of its supported life.

I even thought that I misunderstood the first person with whom I spoke, but the second confirmed what he had said. Microsoft's language around this being as ambiguous as it is - and Microsoft being what it is - it wouldn't surprise me in the least.
Based on what I heard (and it was by no means clear), Microsoft may continue supporting Windows 10 for those who upgraded for free, but downgrade certain features.

Like I said, just a heads-up. This came straight from the horse's mouth (in this case Microsoft's tech support department).

you posted no links and I seriously doubt it...in fact I seriously doubt that whoever you were talking to knew what they were talking about! Regardless of if they worked for Microsoft or not!!

The problem is it is your word with no links...going against everything that bis being said on the internet...

 

[JEDIYoda]

I sincerely hope so.

I find your lack of common sense or knowledge on the subject to be comical....

 

[JackMDS]

I think that that is simple straight English.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-upgrade

 

[MongGrel]

NM.

 

[FishAk]

From the W10 upgrade link provided by JackMDS above:

"1 Windows Offer Details
Yes, free! This upgrade offer is for a full version of Windows 10, not a trial. 3GB download required; internet access fees may apply. Estimated retail price of Windows 10 Home shown, actual retail prices may vary. To take advantage of this free offer, you must upgrade to Windows 10 within one year of availability. Once you upgrade, you have Windows 10 for free on that device."


Notice MS does not say how long you have W10 'free on that device'


Offer details continued:


"Windows 10 is automatically updated. Additional requirements will apply over time for updates."


So, not only does MS not specify how long the free upgrade remains free, it does specifically state that "Additional requirements will apply over time..."


They certainly appear to have left the door open to require a payment, in due time, as an additional requirement for the upgrade.

 

[Ketchup]

MS has certainly kept the door open on with the "life of the device" comment. They have already shown similar changes in the way they are supporting this new system, such as when the Windows 10 insider preview lost it's ability to see new builds if it wasn't an "upgrade" from an existing OS. I am waiting for the day that this installation I installed on a VM refuses to work at all.

While I don't yet think a full purchase will be required once the year is up (and think the person the OP spoke with was confused about what he was asking), I certainly don't think MS is done with vague wording in 10 down the road, in order to allow room for additional decision changes about there latest OS.