Windows 10 upgrade and future hardware changes?

[eoniverse]

Apologies if this has been answered. I have sincerely looked and cannot find it.

I have a retail copy of Windows 7pro. I use it on my PC that I rebuild every 18 months or so with a new motherboard, video card, cpu, etc.

On a retail OS (Win 7) I can legally reinstall and reuse my one retail copy on my single rebuilt PC no matter what hardware I change out.

If I choose to upgrade to Windows 10 ( assuming pro from my retail Win 7 pro) can I continue the practice of changing any pieces of my hardware and reinstalling Windows 10 at no future charge on my single PC?

Without any concern that I will have to pay for a new O/S each time I upgrade significant pieces or has something changed?

And just how would I get Windows 10 again? I suppose I will have to create an iso for future use???

If upgrading hardware has been answered can you provide a link?

Thanks in advance

 

[cmdrdredd]

You should be able to upgrade from 7 Pro again using the ISO for the first year (in theory) since Windows 10 doesn't have an actual product key currently. Those who have done a clean install can skip the product key entry and Windows 10 activates automatically. Technically though it's handled like an OEM install and you need to buy a new license for your new system. The ISO you create now works for multiple systems. There's no limit on how many systems you can upgrade using it. The only question is whether you'll need a new product key after the first year. I believe though that a legit activated copy of 7 or 8 will upgrade to 10 just fine for the first year.

After the first year retail copies of Windows 10 should be available but I've heard no confirmation whether this is handled like the old Windows versions where your retail license is good pretty much forever. It's a really good question we don't have an answer for yet.

 

[Leyawiin]

Basically, make sure you have the motherboard you can be happy with for some time by July 29, 2016.

 

[pauldun170]

Apologies if this has been answered. I have sincerely looked and cannot find it.

I have a retail copy of Windows 7pro. I use it on my PC that I rebuild every 18 months or so with a new motherboard, video card, cpu, etc.

On a retail OS (Win 7) I can legally reinstall and reuse my one retail copy on my single rebuilt PC no matter what hardware I change out.

If I choose to upgrade to Windows 10 ( assuming pro from my retail Win 7 pro) can I continue the practice of changing any pieces of my hardware and reinstalling Windows 10 at no future charge on my single PC?

Without any concern that I will have to pay for a new O/S each time I upgrade significant pieces or has something changed?

And just how would I get Windows 10 again? I suppose I will have to create an iso for future use???

If upgrading hardware has been answered can you provide a link?

Thanks in advance

http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/...on-faq-we-figured-out-who-pays-and-who-doesnt

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

Just make sure you extract the key from windows 10 first.

 

[ShintaiDK]

It may not be that easy:
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/windows-10-revert-os,29727.html

It seem Windows 10 upgrade turns it into an OEM version that is locked via a hardware ID.

Also it looks like the original key may expire after 30 days of an upgrade.

Upgrading will also only work the first year. Not after that.

 

[eoniverse]

So that sinks it. Nice to know before I invest any effort into it. Win 10 upgrade is pretty much useless for me ( beyond a 'look/see') unless I'm ready to buy a retail copy the first time I upgrade after July 2016.

I'll stick with my free and supported 7 pro (till 2020) and who knows what will be available by then.

Well done MS

 

[SparkyJJO]

It may not be that easy:
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/windows-10-revert-os,29727.html

It seem Windows 10 upgrade turns it into an OEM version that is locked via a hardware ID.

Also it looks like the original key may expire after 30 days of an upgrade.

Upgrading will also only work the first year. Not after that.

NO it does not! Please don't spread misinformation.

OP, you can get the free upgrade to Win10 as it will retain the retail licensing, and be able to transfer it to new hardware anytime you want (although the specifics on the license key part of it are still a bit muddy at this point).

Straight from the EULA (I bolded/underlined the relevant parts):


4. Transfer. The provisions of this section do not apply if you acquired the software as a consumer in Germany or in any of the countries listed on this site (aka.ms/transfer), in which case any transfer of the software to a third party, and the right to use it, must comply with applicable law.
a. Software preinstalled on device. If you acquired the software preinstalled on a device (and also if you upgraded from software preinstalled on a device), you may transfer the license to use the software directly to another user, only with the licensed device. The transfer must include the software and, if provided with the device, an authentic Windows label including the product key. Before any permitted transfer, the other party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software.
b. Stand-alone software. If you acquired the software as stand-alone software (and also if you upgraded from software you acquired as stand-alone software), you may transfer the software to another device that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software to a device owned by someone else if (i) you are the first licensed user of the software and (ii) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Every time you transfer the software to a new device, you must remove the software from the prior device. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between devices.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I think for my situation I will have to buy a license for windows 10 for my main system when I do the next build. I don't have a retail license from 7 or 8.

 

[eoniverse]

Thanks SparkyJJO.

That changes things quite a bit. Think I may bump this thread in about six months and hope that's enough time for the license key process to be resolved

 

[PingSpike]

Don't apologize, Microsoft has been as clear as mud with how the licensing works. My opinion is if some one won't give you a straight answer its because the real answer is just as bad as you imagine. I think waiting is the prudent thing to do at the very least until Microsoft has stated states something official enough that they'd eat a class action suit going back on it.