Question about Free Windows 10.

[Exterminator]

Did you checked this link?
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...e/578d0b7f-57e4-4893-b9d1-6cfac0d6290a?auth=1

Seems pretty clear cut from the above link as this was more or less spelled out a while ago

• Upgrade will be free and you will be able to download and create a bootable installation CD/USB.
• If you upgrade you will be able to do a clean install using the bootable media on that PC only.Activation will take place online and you will not have to enter a product key.
  
• If you use the bootable media on another PC than the one you upgraded on you will have to buy a product key as @Huracan posted above
• AS always any hardware changes to the original upgraded PC which reset the activation will likely lead to needing to purchase a license

Lots of rumors and speculation however I am sure it will all be good once they release Windows 10 whether that will be on the 29th or not.

 

[kiric96]

Did you checked this link?
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...e/578d0b7f-57e4-4893-b9d1-6cfac0d6290a?auth=1

youd didnt get my point about the key/serial? do you? However in real situation i dont think that when booting windows will activate... at least in my pc is not possible

 

[Deleted member 2913]

youd didnt get my point about the key/serial? do you? However in real situation i dont think that when booting windows will activate... at least in my pc is not possible

The link mention that when you will do clean install from USB/DVD you will be able to skip activation & after installation finishes windows will automatic activate online. No need for serial key.

Dont know why its not posssible on your system? May be the activation procedure & things will be in proper order once Win 10 final releases.

 

[Rolo]

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...ndows-10/a1906d5c-2183-4064-af8e-e6650c15d96d

Q: Can I clean install (i.e. boot from media and install) Windows 10 on my Windows 7 or Windows 8.x device and still take advantage of the free upgrade offer?

A: No. Clean installs of Windows 10 on a Windows 7 or Windows 8.x device via booting from media are not considered “upgrades”, so the free upgrade offer will not apply. For your Windows 10 installation to be considered an upgrade, you must start installation of Windows 10 while booted in Windows 7 or Windows 8.x

If you attempt to clean install Windows 10 on a device that hasn’t taken advantage of the free upgrade offer and successfully activated Windows 10 online before, you will be prompted to enter a Windows 10 product key to continue installing Windows 10.

Your key is installed in the Windows Store: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...ndows-10/5c0b9368-a9e8-4238-b1e4-45f4b7ed2fb9

 

[Deleted member 2913]

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...ndows-10/a1906d5c-2183-4064-af8e-e6650c15d96d



Your key is installed in the Windows Store: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...ndows-10/5c0b9368-a9e8-4238-b1e4-45f4b7ed2fb9

Rolo,
This is an excellent link.

A query...
I had purchsed HP laptop with Vista installed & there was an offer to get free Win 7 disc.
On Win 7 release, I got the free Win 7 upgrade disc.
So this Win 7 upgrade disc will be considered as OEM Upgrade Disc or Retail Upgrade Disc?

 

[Exterminator]

Rolo,
This is an excellent link.

A query...
I had purchsed HP laptop with Vista installed & there was an offer to get free Win 7 disc.
On Win 7 release, I got the free Win 7 upgrade disc.
So this Win 7 upgrade disc will be considered as OEM Upgrade Disc or Retail Upgrade Disc?

I would say it would be an OEM license for Windows 7 since it was an upgrade and not a retail license.Therefore upgrading to Windows 10 the license will be for that PC only.

 

[Deleted member 2913]

I would say it would be an OEM license for Windows 7 since it was an upgrade and not a retail license.Therefore upgrading to Windows 10 the license will be for that PC only.

I checked with the mentioned software here
http://malwaretips.com/threads/guide-to-finding-transferring-upgrading-windows-key-7-8-8-1.48294/

Its OEM key.

 

[MTUser]

Seems pretty clear cut from the above link as this was more or less spelled out a while ago

• AS always any hardware changes to the original upgraded PC which reset the activation will likely lead to needing to purchase a license

So... I'm about to change my motherboard (this one is giving me some problems), if I do that after the upgrade, I will lose my license?

I thought windows 10 would be like windows 8.1. On windows 8.1 you can make all the hardware changes you want, but you can only use the license in 1 computer at a time.

 

[Exterminator]

I checked with the mentioned software here
http://malwaretips.com/threads/guide-to-finding-transferring-upgrading-windows-key-7-8-8-1.48294/
Its OEM key.

Then you will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for that PC only.

So... I'm about to change my motherboard (this one is giving me some problems), if I do that after the upgrade, I will lose my license?

IMO I would change out my Motherboard now but you will still need to reinstall Windows 7/8/8.1 and activate it.The way I take it is that once upgraded to Windows 10 and you perform a Hardware change that resets the activation,such as a Motherboard swap,you will need to purchase a retail license. There is plenty of time to upgrade to Windows 10 and a lot easier to reinstall Windows 7 to a genuine OEM license.Then do the upgrade.

 

[Rolo]

Please read the links; these specifics are addressed in them.

Win10 upgrade is NOT an OEM license; it is only good for one PC ever, major hardware changes make it a different PC.

Edit, from above link:

OEM :
OEM versions of Windows are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:
- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel
- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on
- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard
- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system

 

[Exterminator]

Please read the links; these specifics are addressed in them.

Win10 upgrade is NOT an OEM license; it is only good for one PC ever, major hardware changes make it a different PC.

Thats what an OEM license is.
With the OEM version, Windows is tied to the machine you first put it on or that came installed when you bought the PC.
With the full retail version, as long as you remove it from the old machine, you can then put the it on any new machine you build or buy.
There is no difference in the operating system other than the Terms of Use.
So for sake of upgrading to Windows 10,if you have an activated OEM license then after an upgrade you to Windows 10 that becomes an OEM license good for that machine only.
If you buy Windows 10 retail version it is not hardware/PC specific(OEM)and you can install it on any PC or Hardware configuration because you have a product key and the full installation CD.

 

[Rolo]

Not according to the linked Microsoft answers: you can have an OEM license reactivated after major hardware changes; you can't with the free Win10 upgrade. It contrasts those two specifically.

 

[Exterminator]

Not according to the linked Microsoft answers: you can have an OEM license reactivated after major hardware changes; you can't with the free Win10 upgrade. It contrasts those two specifically.

OEM will allow some hardware changes but not a different motherboard.I am just saying that if you up are upgrading to Windows 10 from an OEM Windows 7/8/8.1 it is not a retail license so it would therefore be an OEM license.Although Microsoft is infamous for being vague and confusing.

• OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel
• OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on
• OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

@MTUser has an OEM license now and has to change the motherboard so IMO he should swap out the motherboard now instead upgrading to Windows 10 and then doing it.

 

[MTUser]

@exterminator20

@MTUser has an OEM license now and has to change the motherboard so IMO he should swap out the motherboard now instead upgrading to Windows 10 and then doing it.

You said my license is an OEM license, but how do I know if it is?

 

[Exterminator]

@exterminator20

You said my license is an OEM license, but how do I know if it is?

Sorry my bad I confused yours and at @yesnoo posts. However you can follow this link to find out what version you have http://malwaretips.com/threads/guide-to-finding-transferring-upgrading-windows-key-7-8-8-1.48294/
If you bought the PC with Windows pre installed and you don't have a CD and a License (Boxed version) then it is most likely a OEM license
Nevertheless if you upgrade to Windows 10 and change your motherboard you will not be able to upgrade again.You would have to buty the retail version

 

[MTUser]

The windows 8.1 license im using was bought from a microsoft upgrade promotion (from windows 7 to 8).

 

[Exterminator]

The windows 8.1 license im using was bought from a microsoft upgrade promotion (from windows 7 to 8).

From the way I take it from the links provided either way if you upgrade to Windows 10 and and change the Motherboard you will loose the upgrade.
If you can upgrade your Motherboard now and reinstall Windows 7 or 8/8.1 and then upgrade to Windows 10 I think that would be a better option.

 

[MTUser]

The software you suggested (ultimate PID Checker) says my license is a retail license

"Key Type : Retail"

So, does it mean I will get a retail w10 key on upgrade? (With the retail version I can make the motherboard upgrade, right?)

 

[jamescv7]

Windows 8/8.1 computer have tied their license key (OEM) from the motherboard as much as possible so strictly avoid any hardware changes like motherboard, but if its a Windows 7 then that license is also strictly for one machine.

Different for 'retail' where you can enter for a New Machine, upgrading to a hardware is totally different matter.

 

[Rolo]

Edited my earlier post as the following may or may not have changed:

Therefore, if the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect then a new computer has been created, the original license expires, and a new full operating system license (not upgrade) is required.

cf. http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/e/3/4e3eace0-4c6d-4123-9d0c-c80436181742/oslicqa.doc (xp licensing FAQ)

In the past I've not had a problem reactivating (sometimes a phone call) an OEM version after motherboard changes (note: updating BIOS frequently triggers a "new" motherboard)