Can I obtain my free copy of Windows 10?

Billies Bangers · 22 May 2016 at 14:37

I have a full retail copy of Windows 7 not currently being used. Later this year I intend to build myself a new PC - obviously I would like Windows 10 and better still not have to pay for it.

Given the scenario that Windows 7 needs to be upgraded before the July deadline to qualify for a free copy of W10 does anyone know how this can be achieved, given my current copy of W7 isn't installed on any machine and nor do I want it to be as I want to save it for the new hardware?

There is obviously also an issue with installing W7 on new hardware e.g. Skylake re: USB support.

ED209 · 22 May 2016 at 15:13

if you get your new system before the July cut off point you can install windows 10 from a USB stick using their media creation tool.

with the latest ISO it allows you to do a clean install of W10 using a windows 7\8.1 key and activate as well so no need to do a previous upgrade from windows 7 or 8.1.

you will not be able to claim your free upgrade after July

StevieP · 22 May 2016 at 15:37

Sorry to hijack the thread but how would you know if the version of Windows 10 you are using will work with a Windows 7 key?

Basically I'm looking to do a fresh reinstall of Windows 10 rather than upgrading from Windows 7 - to this end I've downloaded the media creation tool and it's downloaded and copied across to a USB stick what I assume is the most recent version?!?

Will this work if I have a Windows 7 product key to hand during the install?

Billies Bangers · 22 May 2016 at 15:48

StevieP said:
Sorry to hijack the thread but how would you know if the version of Windows 10 you are using will work with a Windows 7 key?

Basically I'm looking to do a fresh reinstall of Windows 10 rather than upgrading from Windows 7 - to this end I've downloaded the media creation tool and it's downloaded and copied across to a USB stick what I assume is the most recent version?!?

Will this work if I have a Windows 7 product key to hand during the install?

This is exactly what I want to do, i.e. simply use a W7 licence key that is registered to me but no longer in use to activate a copy of W10 which I already have as an ISO. However, I won't be doing this until autumn at the earliest.

I did think of doing this as a VM but then I was pondering how I would actually be able to use this to install on clean hardware later on. I could foresee all sorts of issues from MS i.e. this isn't the hardware that it was originally installed on etc.

Actually just seen ED209 post so if they keep the offer open after July wouldn't be an issue - but what if they don't - back to my original question then?

Of course if MS keeps the current offer open after July then it may not be such an issue. I would then be in the same position as you currently find yourself in.

El_Watcher · 23 May 2016 at 13:01

I am not 100% certan this would work, but the only way you can try to register a Windows 7 key as upgraded to 10, would be to stick a blank HDD in any compatible PC, and install 10 using the 7 key, and activate it. Because it is a retail key, it should in theory then allow you to reinstall 10 on a new PC using the 7 key after the cut-off date. My only question is whether the Microsoft server does actually register the 7 key as upgraded or not as unlike OEM keys, it can't just register against the hardware?
Maybe if you keep the spare HDD until you upgrade, fit that initially, you might then be able to re-activate 10 against the new hardware.

Skeeter · 23 May 2016 at 13:49

I activated a retail 7 key for this exact same reason the other day.

I fired up a VM and installed 10 from the latest Media Creation Tool from the Microsoft website, skipped key entry on install, and then when in the Desktop just entered the 7 key and it activated.

Then I deleted the VM and put the key back in the drawer for when/if I ever need it.

fobose · 23 May 2016 at 17:22

I am in the same boat but on windows 8.1. Looking at this link (unless it's no longer relevant) I think I have to upgrade to win10, then do a clean install. Shouldn't take long though on an SSD eh? ;D

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-10/why-activate-windows-10

Destination · 23 May 2016 at 19:29

It'll be tied to the mobo, so if you upgrade prior to the pleasantries being swicthed off, then fine, if not and you later change Mobo, it might not upgrade as you wish.

They might change their minds on this again, but I am considering a new mobo upgrade and install, just before the date in order to not miss out, as in to save the hundred on a new copy of windows, but will wait until closer to the time.

El_Watcher · 24 May 2016 at 13:29

Hikari Kisugi said:
It'll be tied to the mobo, so if you upgrade prior to the pleasantries being swicthed off, then fine, if not and you later change Mobo, it might not upgrade as you wish.

Is that for all 7/8 upgrades to 10, or just where the 7/8 licence is OEM? If they are to limit retail licence upgradability, I will not be happy.

Bantu · 24 May 2016 at 13:57

My experience is with a laptop OEM key for Windows 7 and it was not an easy one. I was unable to install Win10 directly without running into issues with the activation process. I had to install windows 7, activate it, then do an in place upgrade to windows 10.

After the fact i attempted to reformat and install Win 10 from scratch and it again failed activation, so i had to again install windows 7 first and upgrade to Windows 10.

If you have a retail key then you should be ok.

Destination · 24 May 2016 at 18:54

El_Watcher said:
Is that for all 7/8 upgrades to 10, or just where the 7/8 licence is OEM? If they are to limit retail licence upgradability, I will not be happy.

How do you figure this will work?
You can install 7 on as many machines as you like, just one at a time.
They don't have to allow you to do the same with an upgrade, that isn't free after July.

I am hoping they still do let us, but I somehow doubt it.

IT Troll · 25 May 2016 at 13:48

El_Watcher said:
Is that for all 7/8 upgrades to 10, or just where the 7/8 licence is OEM? If they are to limit retail licence upgradability, I will not be happy.

The Windows 10 upgrade licence is hardware locked even with a retail 7/8 licence. You can still move it now by talking with MS Support, but that may not be the case when the offer ends as the upgrade licence is valid for "the lifetime of the device". They may argue that it is not the same device.

However if you installed and activated Windows 10 onto a spare disk now then put this in your new machine you might still be able to talk them around. Just say your motherboard developed a fault and was replaced under warranty.

Having said all that I am building now to avoid the risk.

CaptainCrash · 25 May 2016 at 14:47

Hikari Kisugi said:
They don't have to allow you to do the same with an upgrade, that isn't free after July.

I am hoping they still do let us, but I somehow doubt it.

IT Troll said:
The Windows 10 upgrade licence is hardware locked even with a retail 7/8 licence. You can still move it now by talking with MS Support, but that may not be the case when the offer ends as the upgrade licence is valid for "the lifetime of the device". They may argue that it is not the same device.

I can't see how that would stand up legally, particularly given the way MS have been ramming the Win 10 upgrade down people's throats (and apparently even carrying it out without the knowledge/consent of users in many cases).

Just quote section 17 of their own retail EULA at them:

MICROSOFT SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS
WINDOWS 7 PROFESSIONAL

17. TRANSFER TO ANOTHER COMPUTER.

a. Software Other than Windows Anytime Upgrade. You may transfer the software and install it on another computer for your use. That computer becomes the licensed computer. You may not do so to share this license between computers.

b. Windows Anytime Upgrade Software. You may transfer the software and install it on another computer, but only if the license terms of the software you upgraded from allows you to do so. That computer becomes the licensed computer. You may not do so to share this license between computers.

If they argue, tell them they're in breach of contract as you weren't told you'd be relinquishing your transfer rights if you performed the upgrade, and you would never have accepted it on those terms.

Glaucus · 25 May 2016 at 14:47

it isn't locked, there was some confusion when it was first released. although it does use hardware id to automatically activate.

Usher · 25 May 2016 at 15:31

Where it gives the option 'start download, upgrade later' do we get any options as to where it downloads to ? for example a second drive that could be removed & reconnected and activated at some later time even if way past July ?

IT Troll · 26 May 2016 at 12:34

CaptainCrash said:
If they argue, tell them they're in breach of contract as you weren't told you'd be relinquishing your transfer rights if you performed the upgrade, and you would never have accepted it on those terms.

You are still able to transfer your Windows 7/8 licence so no rights have been relinquished. The free Windows 10 upgrade is different. This "Digital Entitlement" does not come with all the rights of a full retail copy.

Glaucus said:
it isn't locked, there was some confusion when it was first released. although it does use hardware id to automatically activate.

Effectively it is though. The hardware-based activation means you cannot freely move your Windows 10 Digital Entitlement to different hardware. You still need to demonstrate eligibility through your Windows 7/8 key. Once the upgrade offer is finished Microsoft is unlikely to activate Windows 10 on new hardware installations which use a Windows 7/8 key.

The only hope is claiming a warranty replacement and a kindly support agent. At that point you have no right.

Usher said:
do we get any options as to where it downloads to ? for example a second drive that could be removed & reconnected and activated at some later time even if way past July ?

The download is just the install media (inactivated) the same as you can download direct from Microsoft. You need to install and activate in order to claim your Digital Entitlement. You can however do this by installing onto a spare disk and then disconnect this for later use.

Destination · 26 May 2016 at 18:38

It your 'digital entitlement' not tied to the motherboard?
Not as in single use, as you can move your 7 or 8 retail about as much as you like, but currently each time you 7 or 8, you are granted a free digital upgrade to 10, surely after the first year, it is this free upgrade they are removing.
So at that stage you can still swing 7 and 8 around as much as you like, but unless they change things, it won't be telling you that you can upgrade it for free anymore.

Is this not correct?

IT Troll · 26 May 2016 at 19:08

Hikari Kisugi said:
Is this not correct?

That is correct and what I said.

CaptainCrash · 26 May 2016 at 21:33

IT Troll said:
You are still able to transfer your Windows 7/8 licence so no rights have been relinquished. The free Windows 10 upgrade is different. This "Digital Entitlement" does not come with all the rights of a full retail copy.

Where is this specifically stated by Microsoft, or anyone else for that matter?

The overwhelming bulk of opinion (informed to varying degrees) I've seen online suggests that a Windows 10 upgrade will inherit the transfer rights of the original OS channel (ie retail is transferable, OEM is tied to the original hardware), although you may have to contact MS for a new product key.

IT Troll · 26 May 2016 at 22:47

CaptainCrash said:
Where is this specifically stated by Microsoft, or anyone else for that matter?

The offer clearly states; "Once you upgrade, you have Windows 10 for free on that device". Your device is identified through the hardware-based Digital Entitlement, the offer makes no mention of transferring the free upgrade to other devices. If they let you install Windows 10 using a Windows 7/8 licence on new hardware indefinitely then the offer hasn't ended. You can't contact Microsoft for a new key because you don't get a new full retail key with this offer. You just get a free upgrade through Digital Entitlement.

If you need someone else to tell you the same thing then here you go:
http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/what-happens-my-free-windows-10-upgrade-after-29-july-2016-if-i-need-change-hardware