I HAVE PROOF THAT WITH WINDOWS 10 FREE UPGRADE IS CRAP

Drizmod · 3 Aug 2015 at 11:46

Ive been busy yesterday so couldnt test it out but when I get home today later on I will test out the Reatil license issue. My 8.1 pro was retail. I have upgraded to Windows 10. I will reintall Windows 8.1 Pro on a spare laptop and then try to upgrade to 10 and see if it activates

DJMK4 · 3 Aug 2015 at 13:08

Yeh was going to say, if you have a retail version, cant you just install Windows 7 or 8.1 on a laptop or a PC with a different mobo, then upgrade to Windows 10 using that install?

CaptainRAVE · 3 Aug 2015 at 13:11

Oh well, will probably be a while before I change my board.

zola25 · 3 Aug 2015 at 14:17

DJMK4 said:
Yeh was going to say, if you have a retail version, cant you just install Windows 7 or 8.1 on a laptop or a PC with a different mobo, then upgrade to Windows 10 using that install?

Only within the first 12 months as things stand.

gareth170 · 3 Aug 2015 at 15:30

zola25 said:
Yes in one of the cases in this thread, and it was refused by MS (Ace Modder, the OP). I think D3K has yet to call in

tbh I can't see how MS can refuse it when it cleanly states it in the FAQ and the EULA

windows 10 EULA said:
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.

most likely the rep who talked to Ace Modderas as got it completely wrong. it wouldn't be the first time they've got things wrong.

russell664 · 3 Aug 2015 at 15:58

CaptainRAVE said:
Oh well, will probably be a while before I change my board.

D3K · 3 Aug 2015 at 16:16

Just talked to MS customer service rep (in India), who palmed me off with waiting 24hrs as they have issues activating at the moment.

I mentioned I had changed my motherboard but he assured me I had done the right thing, and to wait. Didn't ask for any info from me wrt to product id or key...

Really couldn't be bothered with the call as I have poor reception where I am so I'll wait til Friday when I'm back in the office and can use a landline.

wildest_jjk · 3 Aug 2015 at 16:56

D3K said:
Just talked to MS customer service rep (in India), who palmed me off with waiting 24hrs as they have issues activating at the moment.

I mentioned I had changed my motherboard but he assured me I had done the right thing, and to wait. Didn't ask for any info from me wrt to product id or key...

Really couldn't be bothered with the call as I have poor reception where I am so I'll wait til Friday when I'm back in the office and can use a landline.

This was basically the same as what happened to me. Everything was activated fine for me then I downloaded my motherboard software to get the latest updates and noticed there was also a BIOS update with some improvements.

Once I upgraded my BIOS windows was no longer activated. It told me the product key was blocked and didn't even give me the chance to press the activate now button or to call Microsoft Activation.

I rang up Microsoft technical support who remote accessed my computer etc and had a look around at my Windows install. He explained to me that the only way of reactivating would be to do a reinstall back to 7 and do the whole process again. Not wanting to do this I asked if there was anything else that I could do and he said no. After this call I rang Microsoft activation who told me to wait like 48 hours due to server load and that it will activate eventually.

I even tried a second Activation support agent who asked for my error code and tried again to put me through to the tech support guys. In the end I have reinstalled again and it has activated fine but if this does happen outside of the 1 year free upgrade I believe you would have to pay. Even if it's just a BIOS upgrade!

Hope this helps.

Danny091 · 3 Aug 2015 at 17:10

If this is true i expect Windows pirating to go up a lot. People wont just keep paying for it \:.

gareth170 · 3 Aug 2015 at 17:21

Danny091 said:
If this is true i expect Windows pirating to go up a lot. People wont just keep paying for it \:.

people won't need to keep paying for it. u just buy win10 retail which is transferable

Stu · 3 Aug 2015 at 17:28

No, no, no... updating the BIOS cannot be considered a new machine. Even entertaining the idea that this might become a real situation is ridiculous! There is not a chance that MS will take this position without incurring a whole heap of hate and bad PR.

koolpc · 3 Aug 2015 at 17:36

Updating the Bios does not equate to a new Mobo. Microsoft have some weird policies. Its about time they rethought them.

gareth170 · 3 Aug 2015 at 18:22

has anyone tried activating it by phone? even tho I can't see how that would work.

V F · 3 Aug 2015 at 20:15

koolpc said:
Updating the Bios does not equate to a new Mobo. Microsoft have some weird policies. Its about time they rethought them.

It's not in Microsoft ideology to keep it simple. 20 steps to get from A to B.

spluff · 3 Aug 2015 at 21:22

Add me to the list...... Windows 10 activated via update / Clean install activated okay...

I had Via USB 3.0 issues and thought a BIOS firmware update may fix it - It DID!!!!!

But now my 2 day old Windows 10 is now unactivated and I have no idea what I can do!!!!

Rang someone in India and he had no clue......

Hopefully someone will find something we can all do to fix this

IT Troll · 3 Aug 2015 at 21:34

Wow, these BIOS upgrade stories are a shocker. Surely Microsoft have got to do something. This issue is going to affect non-enthusiasts who have an off-the-shelf PC.

spluff · 3 Aug 2015 at 21:47

I was so pleased to have fixed my USB3.0 issue then realised that windows 10 was not activated - grrrrrrrrrrrrr

Glaucus · 3 Aug 2015 at 22:10

spluff said:
Add me to the list...... Windows 10 activated via update / Clean install activated okay...

I had Via USB 3.0 issues and thought a BIOS firmware update may fix it - It DID!!!!!

But now my 2 day old Windows 10 is now unactivated and I have no idea what I can do!!!!

Rang someone in India and he had no clue......

Hopefully someone will find something we can all do to fix this

Try opening a CMd and typing "slui 4" this should force the phone activation screen.
Report back. I got on twitter and someone suggested this.

koolpc · 3 Aug 2015 at 22:50

Problem is, MS People haven't got a clue! This could very well be an occurrence that MS did not think about!

wildest_jjk · 3 Aug 2015 at 22:52

spluff said:
Add me to the list...... Windows 10 activated via update / Clean install activated okay...

I had Via USB 3.0 issues and thought a BIOS firmware update may fix it - It DID!!!!!

But now my 2 day old Windows 10 is now unactivated and I have no idea what I can do!!!!

Rang someone in India and he had no clue......

Hopefully someone will find something we can all do to fix this

Yep pretty much the same as me. Well at least people can see it's not just me.

Glaucus said:
Try opening a CMd and typing "slui 4" this should force the phone activation screen.
Report back. I got on twitter and someone suggested this.

This will certainly not work at least for the time being due to server load they will just demand you wait. If you say you have an error you will also get put through to the technical team as I have explained above.