I HAVE PROOF THAT WITH WINDOWS 10 FREE UPGRADE IS CRAP

Ace Modder · 31 Jul 2015 at 22:21

Hi guys, as enthusiasts we are buggered with the Windows 10 FREE upgrade.

I've been talking to MS live chat tonight for about an hour.

And they have confirmed if we swap our motherboards you cannot transfer your windows 10 free upgrade license to a new PC as its tied to your unique BIOS ID.

See here for proof, so anybody who upgrades will need to buy a new license.

Ace Modder · 31 Jul 2015 at 22:27

snips86x said:
Well assuming you don't change the board, you're not going to loose out right?

yes, but how many of us do upgrade on a regular basis? I do....

Ace Modder · 31 Jul 2015 at 22:30

Lakeland said:
That's a bit shoddy if you have a retail version of Win7

indeed, and that was my concern that I was posting about in the big Windows 10 thread, so essentially all Windows 7/8 to Window "FREE UPGRADES" become OEM licenses that you cannot just bypass the activation - as you don't have a key at all.

Ace Modder · 31 Jul 2015 at 23:23

Bluntwrapped said:
It's tied to the board but if you go through the phone activation the final part of the call asks you how many computers you have used the product key for. When you answer 0 it bypasses any previous link to your motherboard. You can then activate using the number it gives you to enter. (I'm assuming this applies to Windows 10, it does with 8)

Windows Key upgrade doesn't have a unique key like Windows 8 and 7 etc. (New Windows 10 OEM does, is there even a retail windows 10?)
But for the upgrade I believe all keys are the same, and that your valid license is stored remotely on MS servers using a unique BIOS key after you upgraded from 7 or 8 - which is why you cannot do a clean install and had to upgrade (lets just say for the sake of understanding its your BIOS serial number which is stored in the BIOS coding)

You swap your board and MS servers wont see a valid motherboard serial number on your system and as such you need to buy a new license (or maybe roll back to Windows 7 or 8 IF THEY KEEP YOU OLD KEYS VALID)

Ace Modder · 31 Jul 2015 at 23:34

Bluntwrapped said:
Have a read of this mate and scroll down to "Find your Windows 10 product key"

http://www.forbes.com/sites/antonyl...ion-guide-essential-advice-to-avoid-problems/

The link button keeps crashing safari :/

Basically that link gives you a tool to grab your windows 10 key.

Ive just done it.... and I bet everybody on windows 10 Pro free upgrade has the same key as mine... (hidden the 2nd & 4th block out - just incase)

VK7JG-*****-C97JM-*****-3V66T

Ace Modder · 31 Jul 2015 at 23:38

snapdragon said:
Nope as my key is YTMG3-*****-DKB77-*****-8HVX7 so pop goes that theory eh

hmm interesting, maybe Microsoft don't know there ass from their elbow then....??? Are you on PRO, maybe you are on home? Id like to see more codes from others on PRO.

Ace Modder · 31 Jul 2015 at 23:43

PS. So nope, we all have the same keys... so back to MS being right... new hardware = having to buy a new license.

Windows 10 Home - YTMG3-N6DKC-DKB77-7M9GH-8HVX7
Windows 10 Pro - VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
Windows 10 Home SL- BT79Q-G7N6G-PGBYW-4YWX6-6F4BT
Windows 10 Pro VL-MAK - QJNXR-7D97Q-K7WH4-RYWQ8-6MT6Y

Ace Modder · 31 Jul 2015 at 23:47

vonex said:
wish i had of know this yesterday, im looking to upgrade to skylake and was going to do a fresh install!

EDIT my key is the same as yours ACE MODDER

Yes, everyone has the same key on Pro.
And everyone on home has the same key.

Like I say the activation is now tied to the hardware ID (serial number of your motherboard) change that and you no longer have a valid license on Windows 7/8 upgrades to 10. That's what MS confirmed to me in my OP.

Ace Modder · 31 Jul 2015 at 23:48

Bluntwrapped said:
Looks like the fail is on you dude I haven't upgraded yet but I'm fairly confident the activation procedure works the same as Windows 8. The version I'm running was an upgrade from Windows 7 and I've re activated it on a few different boards.

Nope, the whole system has changed. No new keys for the "free upgrade", MS have moved the goal posts.

Ace Modder · 1 Aug 2015 at 00:00

Woden said:
Depends what you call a "new" pc. Bout like triggers broom.

Thats the thing, MS are not 100% clear on anything, and haven't given any official line on it all yet.

When I was speaking to the MS guy via chat, he kept asking me to hold on whilst he went and found out, so staff at MS are not sure on things yet.

I don't think we will know for sure for a while yet 100%

Ace Modder · 1 Aug 2015 at 00:18

Sirrel Squirrel said:
At least in the free upgrade year you could install 7 or 8 on the 'new' machine and then upgrade it.

agreed (I hope), that should be fine, but its after the first year it becomes a problem I think.

For me its not an immediate issue, I've just upgraded to a X99-SOC champion board - not planning to upgrade in the next 2 years at least for my board and CPU anyway.

Ace Modder · 1 Aug 2015 at 00:21

Skeeter said:
Hi

Welcome to like.... months ago?

Your 7 or 8.1 Retail remains transferable, but the 10 is tied to the Mobo.

I thought everyone knew this? We have been saying it in the Windows 10 thread since forever?

so effectively there is no retail version of Windows 10. OEM only.

Ace Modder · 1 Aug 2015 at 01:46

TonyTurbo78 said:
So, if you buy a new mobo, can you not just put your retail Windows 8.1 back on, then have the option to upgrade to Windows 10 again and repeat the process?

yes but only in the first year

Ace Modder · 1 Aug 2015 at 14:14

I get that MS are kindly giving us windows 10 upgrade for free.

But what I don't like is the smoke screen of the deal, if they were more honest and up front about it I'd be happy.