Win10 upgrades are still free

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Ed Bott says so – and he should know. If you have a machine with a valid Win7 or 8.1 license, the upgrade to Win10 continues to be free, just as I des
[See the full post at: Win10 upgrades are still free]

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I have a spare Windows 7 license, would I be able to just use that key for Windows 10?
What I want to know is if I can just wipe my hard drive, do a clean install of Windows 10 and use my spare 7 key.

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I do not believe you can use a Win7 product code directly to activate a fresh Win10 install – only as Ed Bott states to validate an upgrade from Win10 Home to Pro.

But there is a method for doing a clean install of Windows 10 if you have an activated Windows 7 (or Win 8.1) install that is still working. You MUST be installing onto the same hardware for this to work – basically the same motherboard must be present – a new hard disk of the same type MAY be OK. The method was first documented nearly two years ago – but still works. I have two brand new Win10 Pro installs to prove it.

It involves generating an GenuineTicket XML file (basically an encrypted upgrade certificate) on the working Win7 machine. You then save this file to a usb stick and do a clean Win10 install – just choose to delete all existing partitions during the install. Copy the GenuineTicket XML file onto the fresh Win10 install and only then allow the computer to connect to the internet – you get automatic activation with a digital licence.

My own basic step by step notes are here:
http://www.stargateuk.info/transfer2/Win10_GenuineTicket_Activation.txt
Details can be found here:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/23354-clean-install-windows-10-directly-without-having-upgrade-first.html

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Cascadian

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Ed Bott’s instructions are tempting but unfortunately very complicated, e.g., what is “Media Creation Tool”  and how does one download it and what is an ISO file>

“If you’ve downloaded the Media Creation Tool on the machine you plan to upgrade, and you plan to upgrade one and only one PC, you can choose the Upgrade this PC now and be done with it. If you’re running the tool on a different PC, or if you just want more flexibility, choose the second option and save the installation files to a USB drive or as an ISO file.After the download is complete, double-click the ISO file to mount it and open a File Explorer window; or, if you chose the option to create a bootable drive, open the USB flash drive in File Explorer and run Setup from there. Then just follow the prompts to complete the upgrade. You will not be asked for a product key, and when the upgrade is complete, you’ll have a digital license to Windows 10, which you can confirm by going to Settings > Update & security > Activation.The digital license is tied to that device, which means you can reformat the disk and perform a clean installation of the same edition of Windows 10 anytime. You won’t need a product key, and activation is automatic.”

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I think you should find the tool and ISO links on this page:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10/

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You will of course be getting the installer for Win10 1703 Creators Edition when you use the MS Media Creation Tool – other options are available (as they say) – just a lot more hassle.

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woody

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Worked for me. Win7 ultimate to Win10 pro, will test to see how I like it. Steep learning curve that’s for sure.

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The way the W7/W8 to W10 “upgrade” (not  hardly lol) used to work, and I believe still does is you can not use a W7 or W8 key to activate a clean install of W10.  You need to apply the W10 “upgrade” to an existing activated install of W7 or W8 first.

After the W10 upgrade does it’s thing it will activate either all on its own (or manually by you).  You do not (or I didn’t at least) have to do anything more than click the Activate Button.  That process marks the W7 / W8 key as used at Microsoft so it can’t be used again for a different upgrade and generates a digital license  for the install of W10 on the CPU/Motherboard  (and possibly MAC address) combination you installed the upgrade too.

After that digital license is generated (in Microsoft’s Registration Cloud ) you can reformat and clean install W10 to that same CPU/Motherboard  (and possibly MAC address) combo as often as you want for for life.  Re-activation is automatic the first time the new clean  install can “phone home” (and it never shuts up afterward either) over the internet.  You do not have to do anything.  It’s about the ONLY THING  Windows 10 that isn’t a “steaming pile” and is actually better at than the W7 or W8 system you just DOWNGRADED.

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The “GenuineTicket XML” method I posted about basically avoids the requirement to upgrade over the top of an existing qualifying Windows system. However it makes use of the same method used by Microsoft to transfer the upgrade authorisation from the original qualifying system to the Win10 install – by creating the GenuineTicket XML file.

You still need to start with an activated copy of Win7/8.1 but can achieve a clean Win10 install in one step by transferring the GenuineTicket authorisation manually – rather than as part of the upgrade over the top process. And as you say once the activation is granted for that hardware it then resides in the cloud on the Microsoft Registration server – and you can reinstall Win10 on the same hardware just by connecting to the internet.

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Slightly different question… Among my computers, I have a self-built Win 8.1 Pro desktop that I seldom use, and a primarily Linux Dell laptop with a Win 10 Home partition (because that’s what it came with)… If I deactivate the Win 8.1 Pro license on the desktop, can I use that same key to upgrade the laptop’s Win 10 installation from Home to Pro? If that is doable, it would certainly make my Win 10 install more manageable and might actually tempt me to use it for something at some time. I’ve tried to figure thus out from Microsoft’s “help” pages, but am more confused than ever.

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If the Win8.1 Pro is the full version, I believe the answer is “yes” if you remove it from the desktop. If the Win8.1 Pro is an OEM version, I believe the license is “legally” tied to the machine it was initially installed on and cannot be “legally” transferred.
However, what the “reality” is, is another thing.

Make an image of the laptop. Try it – you may have to do the phone activation. If it doesn’t work, restore the image and you haven’t lost anything.

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As far as I know you’d have to go through installing 8.1 on the new computer and “activate by phone” operation, then upgrade to W10.

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MikeFromMarkham

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Read “Scenario 3” here
http://www.zdnet.com/article/going-pro-how-to-upgrade-windows-10-home-without-hassles/

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Thanks for this, it’s worth a shot! I’ll report back on my experiment within 24 hours, but first I have to update my backups for the laptop.

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Thanks PKCano, the advice in scenario 3 worked perfectly and I now have a properly activated Windows 10 Pro installation on my laptop.  I may never use it for much over the next couple of years, but when I eventually pass it down to my daughter, it will be a somewhat more private and better behaved version of Windows 10 she can actually use. As for my now deactivated Windows 8.1 Pro desktop, I’m going to load 3-5 Linux distributions on there and torture test them to determine which one or two I’ll actually use when support for my Windows 7 workhorse PC runs out in 2020.

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I am considering buying a used laptop that has Win8 Ent installed.

I wanna try Win10 LTSB on it — as an Ent version will I be able to install for free using the existing license–either OEM or electronic key, whatever is current?

If not, will I be able to install a Pro version for free using the existing Ent key?

 

Thanks.

 

 

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It is my understanding that all Volume Licencing (VL/VLK) versions of Win7/8.1 are excluded from the free upgrade offer. Win7/8.1 Enterprise editions are available only to volume license customers.

The official Microsoft wording is as follows:
Windows 10 Enterprise Upgrade is exclusively available for purchase though a Volume Licensing agreement, Windows 10 Education Upgrade is available for purchase via Academic Volume Licensing programs.

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This does not answer my 2 questions:

1. LTSB is available for 90 day eval on ANY computer with any key. It can be run after 90 days infinitely with toleration of activation nags. What I am wondering is if the system already has an Ent activation will install without following nags.

2. As the title of this thread states, upgrading from 7/8 pro to 10 pro is still free. My question is the upgrade is from Ent to Pro (1) will the existing activation permit it (2) for free.

 

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1. I don’t know. You may have to re-install the LTSB version, then activate with the Enterprise license.

2. I don’t know. My guess is that (1) it will and (2) for free.

You’re trying to do two things that aren’t common. Let’s see if anybody else here has a definitive answer for you.

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It would be boring if we were all part of the herd, no? That’s why MS gets away with what it does.

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fp wrote:

1. LTSB is available for 90 day eval on ANY computer with any key. It can be run after 90 days infinitely with toleration of activation nags. What I am wondering is if the system already has an Ent activation will install without following nags.

This is incorrect.
There is the volume licence version which will run indefinitely with the nag if not licensed and a trial version which will not run indefinitely, but only for 90 days.
Regular enterprise version is licensed differently than LTSB.
Do not use LTSB is the only message which I will give you and please do not ask for further information from me in this matter. You have to figure out for yourself why it is so.

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This is a weird reply.

1st, the reason I asked is because I came across several people who explicitly said that the eval unit can be installed by anybody and run indefinitely with nags. It’s because it sounded unlikely to me that I asked here.

2nd, I did not ask YOU specifically, so you did not have to reply.

3rd, if you answer it’s silly to say “don’t do it but I won’t tell you why” is silly.

 

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@fp this may, or may not help you but as another option you could try Win10Edu1703 as possibity. It comes bundled with the Windows media tool. Just ignore all the M$ presented defaults\suggestions and create an iso for use on another machine. Extract the contents using 7zip, insert an “ei.cfg” (lots of easy howto’s out there) file in the sources folder and remake the .iso and install as normal using Rufus etc. Ran Win10Edu1607 no real hassles, quite a few of the GPOL’s work as opposed to Win10Pro. Of course same deal with Ent as Edu its nigh impossible to get a key/activate unless your in the programme or subscription but it works (see link below)
https://www.howtogeek.com/244678/you-dont-need-a-product-key-to-install-and-use-windows-10/
(not sure if this would be the same for Win10Ent)
Not a clue here where to get Win10Ent (full ver) and its a little too bulky/hesitant really for Home use, in that Home use you can indulge your self with a few “Toys” or apps that might not live to well in a Business enviroment

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Thanks. My impression is that there is no comparison between LTSB and Edu and  I seem to have read swhere that MS cannot resist the temptation and is loading c..p into the Edu too. I would feel much safer with LTSB if I could somehow use it.

I really don’t care for 1703 — it only forces me to learn new stuff and constantly defend myself from MS without giving me anything useful. My alternative to LTSB if I can’t make it work is 1511 Pro with WU disabled. I can practice safe computing and take frequent backups, which is much safer than 1703 and anything else that comes after it. I will do anything I can to either make LTSB work, or 1511 the last Windows I’ll ever use.

 

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No need for the Ent version. I was going to buy a used system with it installed and I was wondering if I could install LTSB on it — also Ent — with impunity and just tolerate the nagging.

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The reason ch100 is saying nothing is because he has not much to say about this topic. I remember ch100 saying why he didn’t like the LTSB and why he doesn’t want us to have one in a post several months ago.

The reason he didn’t like was because LTSB was boring to him, lacking the features that the regular W10 has such as Cortana and apps. He even said that we should just use W7 if we wanted the same thing.

The reason he didn’t want us to use was because MS doesn’t want us to. He does has a point however, in that LTSB is completely unsupported for our use by the MS, so use it at your own risk. He did miss the point why we would want LTSB.

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Elly

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LTSB is boring, but it is more than that, missing support and not legally available unless under Microsoft agreement.

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Unofficially, any Windows user can get Windows 10 LTSB if they want. . .

https://www.howtogeek.com/273824/windows-10-without-the-cruft-windows-10-ltsb-explained/
(dated 04 Oct 2016)

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I tried it and could not make it working.
That article is mistaken, or it is possible that Microsoft changed something in the trial build since the article was written.

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I read that and is part of the reason I asked the question here. The question is will the eval version work after 90 days?

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fp wrote:

I read that and is part of the reason I asked the question here. The question is will the eval version work after 90 days?

I have already replied that I could not make it working beyond the evaluation period.
The problem with many of you guys who post here is that you are asking questions about niche unsupported configurations, but you don’t spend the time to actually do your own testing. And when you are told how things are, at least how those who spend the time to do the testing believe that things are, you still consider that you know better.
You have to understand that the MVPs here are not your personal support people and many of us are here to learn something in exchange for providing the said support.

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@ fp

If Win 10 Ent LTSB Evaluation stops working after 90 days, you can try the Command “slmgr /rearm” (gets another 90-days trial.? – can be rearmed for 3 times max.?) or wiping and reinstalling it every 90 days (with a different M$ account.?).

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@ fp

M$ did not offer the free Win 10 upgrade to corporations using Win 7/8.1 Ent. If M$ did, they would have lost a lot of $$$$. So, Win 7/8.1 Ent cannot be upgraded to Win 10 Ent, Pro or Home, for free.

You may need to first downgrade Win 8.1 Ent to Win 8.1 Pro, as per:
http://henkhoogendoorn.blogspot.my/2015/06/downgrading-windows-81-from-enterprise.html

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That would make sense, but trying it would be better proof — wonder if anybody tried. You never know.

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@ fp

If Win 7/8.1 Ent could be upgraded to Win 10 Ent or Pro or Home for free, it would already have been headline news everywhere. This is M$$$$$$ we are talking about.!

So, it is very unlikely that people who buy used/refurbished Win 8.1 Ent computers on the cheap will be able to upgrade them to Win 10 Ent or Pro or Home for free.
The best deal they can get is to downgrade Win 8.1 Ent to Win 8.1 Pro and then upgrade to Win 10 Pro for free, … or stick with Win 8.1 Ent until 2023.

It is also “illegal” for home-users to be running Win 7/8.1 Ent.

Only corporations who have bought the super-expensive Win 10 Ent E5 Volume Licenses can move them from CB/CBB (EOL of 18 months) to LTSB (EOL of 10 years). The cheaper Win 10 Ent E3 VL cannot be moved to LTSB, ie have to be on CB/CBB.
Subscription-based Win 10 Ent E3 & E5 cannot be moved to LTSB, but they are perpetually supported and can be freely-upgraded as long as their subscriptions are “up-to-date”, like for Office 365 subscriptions.

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This is the current state of play according to M$ as to whats allowed and whats possible.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/upgrade/windows-10-upgrade-paths

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Thanks — i’ll review it.

They often say stuff to dissuade users from doing something that they prohibit but did not make sure it can’t happen.

So I think before I give in to their strategy I should try everything. I am raising these issues here to find out if others already tried, so as to not waste time and effort.

[Edited]

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Let’s keep our focus on the topic, please … Win10 Upgrades Are Still Free

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Cascadian

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One more question: I do not intend to upgrade in place — there are often problems with that — but do clean install from ISO.

Do I understand it correctly that I can use the key that came originally with the machine to install win10Pro, as long as the original win was Pro for free?

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@ fp

Problem is, which Product Key came with a used/refurbed Win 8.1 Ent computer.?, a Win 8.1 Ent Volume License PK or a Win 8.1 Pro PK.?, which also has to be extracted into written form with a 3rd-party program like ProduKey.

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Looks like Ent is a risky bet.

I’ll probably go for a Pro.

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Win 10 LTSB sounds like a possible nugget of goodness to people who want a long-term-stable OS, but make no mistake, Microsoft does NOT want regular folks running it. Thus doing so becomes an ongoing act of paddling upstream. It is simply not a general purpose OS. Like it or not, it’s probably still better to be supported by the OS maker than to try to strike out on one’s own.

The real exercise comes when the goodness of being “supported” HAS to be balanced against the badness of being “predated” (as in, Microsoft hammering users with ads, junkware, unwanted network usage, etc.) to where it doesn’t feel like there’s any value left.

This is why I continually look to find new ways to tweak the daylights out of Win 10 Pro, to turn it into something worth using. Lately I’ve found that doing so can break serviceability (i.e., tweaked systems stop accepting Windows Updates, even though they pass SFC checks). This is somewhat disturbing, and so I’ve been mulling it over heavily…

After a few days of Deep Thought, I finally came to a realization that trying to run Windows 10 in “Microsoft’s ongoing way” (cloud-integrated, constantly updated) just feels dirty, so I’m starting to think giving up on updates entirely might be a reasonable approach… One would lose some “goodness” of ongoing support, but also throw away the significant badness of being preyed upon. How’s this sound as a possibility:

• Evaluate the latest CBB release for usability / applicability.
  
• Assuming it’s acceptable, upgrade to the most recent CBB version from ISO file.
  
• Re-tweak it to be utterly private and controllable.
  
• Then just don’t worry about updates again until the next CBB promotion.
  
• In a pinch, e.g., in response to an especially dangerous or likely threat (or an overabundance of free time), one could TRY to update the tweaked system. If it fails, oh well. Too bad. Continue to enjoy it as is. The next CBB promotion will happen again in roughly 6 to 8 months anyway.

Voila, a relatively stable OS to use 6 months at a time without turning oneself into prey, and without the ongoing worry and hassles of constant destabilization through updates. And of course you could skip some cycles, presuming the new version doesn’t deliver anything “must-have”. Hey, in the good ol’ days we ran OSs for YEARS before upgrading. NOTHING wrong with that!

So what about “OMG Zero Day!” vulnerabilities if one finds one CAN’T update a system managed as above?

To that I might suggest surrounding oneself with sufficient security layers so that one’s system is relatively hard to infect, keep good backups, and bear in mind that the system will be updated to something that presumably closes off those security holes (and of course has all new ones) in another 6 months or so anyway.

If the absolute worst comes to worst, reinstall the CBB ISO afresh, update it to the latest before eliminating all the junkware and privacy-invading “features”, then re-tweak it again.

Windows as a Service just doesn’t work, but maybe there’s still some value in bending it to one’s own needs still.

And of course if it just gets too ugly, one can just hop off the bus entirely… More than half the world is still running systems older than Windows 10 today. You could just continue to run a given version for as long as it remains activated. Buy good hardware and that could go on for years.

-Noel

5 users thanked author for this post.

SQLRich, Elly, satrow, ch100, BobbyB

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Having used Windows for decades and knowing MS believe me I am fully aware of the risks of LTSB. Unfortunately, unlike you, I don’t have the knowledge, patience and time to do what you do with Pro. If I did I would certainly do the same.

So the question is: what is the best alternative? I am sure MS does not want individuals to use LTSB, but the question is what did or will they do to stop it? If it is indeed true that the eval copy does not work beyond 90, nothing to do. But if it does, it’s worth a shot. In any case, I use 2 systems whose data I keep in sync, so testing one with LTSB is something I can recover from if MS stops me in some way at some point.

If LTSB is not possible, then the next best thing FOR ME is 1511 Pro with most possible telemetry and WU disabled and frequent backups. There is absolutely no justification for me to learn all the absurd workings of 1703 for no benefit whatsoever and useless upgrades every 6 months plus frequent debilitating updates. I do not accept the claim that just the security updates justifies this. First, hackers are miles ahead of sware vendors. And 2nd, practicing safe computing, frequent backups and a backup system are a much superior option to any post 1511 Win10.

I have ALL the sware I need and all of it works in 1511, so lack of supported sware is not a serious concern.

So all the young guys can go ahead and spend their time fighting MS. At my age it’s more effective to ignore them.

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What actually stops you from using Windows 7 or for a Windows 10 like feel, Windows 8.1?
Why Windows 10 1511?

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Well, I had an older Win7 system and I bought a new one used with WinPro 1511 on it. I managed to configure and customize it to my liking and cleaned of all the bloat. It now looks and feels like Win7 plus gives me compatibility for Win10 apps and can still give me slightly better control on updates than 1703 and later, at least for now.

My Win7 croaked, so I am getting an identical used system. Whatever OS it comes with, it won’t be 1511Pro, so to keep both in sync — that’s the idea of identical systems– I will install 1511 on it.

And as I said, there is practically nothing in 1703 that I need, particularly when MS keeps changing the settings and options and learning each time something new. Life is too short.

What is more, there are  scripts, utilities and procedures that I collected and used to clean up and reduce 1511 which probably won’t work in later versions.

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Elly

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Noel Carboni wrote:

After a few days of Deep Thought, I finally came to a realization that trying to run Windows 10 in “Microsoft’s ongoing way” (cloud-integrated, constantly updated) just feels dirty, so I’m starting to think giving up on updates entirely might be a reasonable approach… One would lose some “goodness” of ongoing support, but also throw away the significant badness of being preyed upon. How’s this sound as a possibility:

Evaluate the latest CBB release for usability / applicability.

Assuming it’s acceptable, upgrade to the most recent CBB version from ISO file.

Re-tweak it to be utterly private and controllable.

Then just don’t worry about updates again until the next CBB promotion.

In a pinch, e.g., in response to an especially dangerous or likely threat (or an overabundance of free time), one could TRY to update the tweaked system. If it fails, oh well. Too bad. Continue to enjoy it as is. The next CBB promotion will happen again in roughly 6 to 8 months anyway.

I think this is a workable approach and likely the model of “servicing” adopted by many businesses, small and in particular the larger ones with more involved change management processes.

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SQLRich, Noel Carboni

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Your response surprises me. I would have thought you wouldn’t approve of such an approach, which is to me fine for Noel, but going backward in time with enterprises, like when they patched once a year if they had time. I understand that the goal of MS might be to be always current and they might not make it easy for businesses to follow them in this direction, but Noel’s solution seems to me like a controlled approach to risk that would not be advisable as best practice in businesses. Workable, maybe, but as you like to say ofthen, MS would certainly not recommend it!

 

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ch100

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Read my response more carefully. I said that if I had the time, skills and resources, I would use that approach. I don’t. The OS is something that should not make me work for or worry about.

Neither did I say that LIKE my approach — it is the best I can do given what MS is doing.

As to lack of updates, MS updates are as dangerous as the risks without them.

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Oh, maybe there is confusion about my reply, but I was replying to ch100, so of course my comments don’t apply to what you said.

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I don’t particularly approve that approach for places which can afford to be more agile in relation to updating, but from a business perspective, Noel’s approach seems to satisfy all requirements.
Minimise the disruption while keeping up to date to a reasonable extent.

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AlexEiffel

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There is afford and there is motivation.

If I was getting any benefits from it it would be justifiable. But I don’t — I am getting only pain.

The meaning of “keeping up to date” was destroyed by MS.

So I don’t have good options — only bad ones and I am choosing the least bad that ****I**** can afford and I stressed that this is MY preference and why — I was not advocating it to others.

 

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Found this:

Windows 10 LTSB: The upgrade paths displayed below do not apply to Windows 10 LTSB. In-place upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 LTSB is not supported. (Note that Windows 10 LTSB 2015 did not block this upgrade path. This was corrected in the Windows 10 LTSB 2016 release, which will now only allow data-only and clean install options.)

Note my italics: In place is not possible. What about clean install from ISO?

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I’ve done some research and got an impression that I want to either dispel or validate. Is the license key associated with a computer, or with a specific copy of the OS?

1. Suppose I buy a system with Win10Pro  later than 1511 activated on it.  Suppose I want to install 1511 on it from ISO– can I, based on the existing license?

2. If I run 1511 with a license from an upgrade from 7/8 and something happens that forces me to reinstall, can I reinstall it from ISO based on that license?

 

 

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fp, it may be very helpful if you were to attempt the procedure and inform us of the result. That way you would have control of each of the variables in real time. And reduce the moving target confusion that has stymied several posters attempting to assist you.

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Of cause, but:

1. I can do it only when I have a backup system — can’t risk my work computer.

2. It’s the need to buy one that prompted these questions: I need to know what installed version of Windows I should avoid to avoid either getting stuck or having to spit $200 on top of it. For example, I learned that XP and Ent are not good ideas.

So now the question is will ANY 10Pro do, or do I need to look for an installed 1511? IOW, if I have a 1511 ISO, can I install it on a machine with a later version using the key of the later version? IOW, can I downgrade to 1511?

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Cascadian

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Yes, the restrictions you have are familiar to me, and others I presume. Several people have offered opinions to each of your rephrased scenarios. And like you, have purposes for each of their machines as well. If someone has tried your procedure, they will very likely post an answer to one or more of your already posted points.

You have deduced a possibility, but theoretical opinions have likely been exhausted. Best of luck.

Edit to add the phrase so little used, ‘I’m sorry, I do not know the answer to your question.’

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@fp

The answer to both of your questions should be Yes.

Since the April 2017 Patch Tuesday, Win 7/8.1 computers with Kabylake/Ryzen processors are blocked from getting updates from M$ but M$ still have to allow these Win 7/8.1 computers to be run until their EOL in 2020/2023. Or else, M$ will be sued. IOW, M$ cannot prematurely invalidate or deactivate their Win 7/8.1 licenses which they had paid for.
Similarly, however it has been installed, you can run Win 10 Home or Pro Version 1511 until its EOL in 2025, ie even though M$ will be stopping support (= no more updates) for it at around Nov 2017.

M$’s servers always have a record of your Win 10 digital license which is embedded in the motherboard and M$ regularly checks your license whenever you go online. All Win 10 licenses have an EOL of 2025, except for the Ent-LTSB editions.
But each Win 10 Version is only supported by M$ (with updates) for about 18 months. This is a separate issue from your digital license.

Wonder what will M$ do after 2025?

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Thanks. Just wanted to make sure.

Don’t care much for MS support — WU disabled.

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Here you go young @fp

[Edited – pls respect the Lounge Rules]

Errrm you mentioned 1511? its out of support soon just as the orig. 1507 bit the dust last month support wise; But as was mentioned before you may be better experimenting to see what fits you best. If you have any keys of a valid nature and/or hidden on your machine (commonly on the bottom or Battery bay for laptops) now is the time to secure/copy them because my understanding is from 1511 7-8-8.1 keys of genuine nature will activate the beast. The last upgrade I did was 8.1 to 10 (1507) before and after that a clean install/apply has always been my favourite MO (modus operandi)…knew “sKooL” was good for somthing lol hope it works out for ya
PS theres a whole lot more to take in to consideration as well, as you already probably know, UEFI or not amd64 or 32bit, fax modem (yeah still use here sometimes and on the road) Bluetooth, Disk Burner, USB incarnations 3 and up is it USB 3 or 3c now? (which is a real “song & Dance to get working/install with good ole Win7) 8.1 & 10 generally have support for most if not all the latest gadgets, standard’s or your only a driver update away. How is the support from the OEM web page? I believe Acer isn’t that hot whereas HP is awesome. Lots to consider even as new developments seem to have slowed is it (the machine) somthing thats going to be relevent for years to come?

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I upgraded Win 7 to Win 10 last year and then rolled it back to Win 7, after trying it out. The documentation said I could re-install Win 10 after the free upgrade period, as long as it on the same verified machine.
Here’s my question: I’ve upgraded both hard drives on my Dell XPS 17 L702x. Will the new hardware invalidate the re-install, even though I cloned the OS from the old hard drive? (Other answers here suggest the CPU/motherboard and/or MAC determine whether the re-install will be validated by M$)

-MD

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Changing the hard drives should not cause a problem.
Changing the motherboard and/or the processor would probably imply re-validation.

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mikeding

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The theory in licensing is if you change the motherboard out of warranty, you are expected to buy a new license. If you change the motherboard while under warranty, MS would reactivate it.

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Where is this taken from?
I have never heard such thing, although it may relate to OEM installations only.
Microsoft has nothing to do or should have nothing to do with the hardware’s guaranteed lifetime or repairs, unless OEM specific contracts are in place.

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Each hard-disk has a signature. Not keeping the disk signature which is a random number when changing the hard-disk is asking for trouble.

For those interested, a reference about the disk signature is here
http://support.altaro.com/customer/portal/articles/1115503-how-can-i-change-the-disk-id-of-a-drive-

Please be aware that Diskpart is a dangerous tool if not used wisely.

1 user thanked author for this post.

BobbyB

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AlexEiffel wrote:

The theory in licensing is if you change the motherboard out of warranty, you are expected to buy a new license. If you change the motherboard while under warranty, MS would reactivate it.

But in practice, theory has been unclear.  Even Microsoft has not taken a firm stand on the issue.  OEM licenses are still for sale freely through resellers, without any accompanying hardware.  So still kind of a murky, grey area …

Windows 10 Pro 22H2

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@Noel Carboni @CH100,

I quit following (out of frustration) about 6 months ago.  I’m ready to try CBB 1607, and if I can get that to stick on my Vostro 1500 laptop, will likely go from CBB to CBB as a test platform.

Q: Is there a Microsoft approved method for downloading  CBB 1607 (today or really anytime after 4/11/2017 ), or does that window close once the media creation tool hops from the 1607CB to the next evolution of the Current Branch?  If not a MSFT site, a trusted third party?

I’ve had two products I use ( Newton Mail and Prism aka Mobilligy ) which are only developing on the Win10 platform.  Of course (sheepish grin), I’ve put in feature requests to support the 2008R2/Win7SP1 as a ‘minimum platform’ requirment.

As a small business, the expense and lost time in the monthly patch cycle is better mitigated by ‘layered defense’ and NIST best practice aka practical cybersecurity than Microsoft’s current monthly exercises.

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I have been able to get to this download page because I am on a Mac. Not sure you can get to it from a Windows machine. But if you use MacOS, iOS, or Linux – the ISO is available for 1607 in the pulldown menu. You may have to do a clean install.

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@PKCano,

I was at link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

Your link:      https://www.microsoft.com/en-hk/software-download/windows10

I am using Win7ProSp1 from US PC.  Not sure what happened to en-us…global economy I guess. (tic)

I’ll admit, I hadn’t noticed a pull down menu that offered version options.  The only iOS options I have are mobile tablets and phones.

My only goal is retaining my hardware licensure from the initial Win7 to Win10 upgrade.  I’ve done more 1507 and 1511 clean installs than I can shake a stick at, so unless something has changed in Redmond that I’ve missed (very possible), I should be ok.

My alternative is certainly to monitor for CBB announcements and ‘file away’ an ISO.  If I can’t download a 1607 CBB, I’ll simply postpone my testing until 1703 rolls CBB later this year.

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en-Great Britain?
en-Hong Kong?

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@PKcano,

As I hit send…I realized I have my Mint CD right next to my hand.  Bingo, yahtzee, connect4!

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