Moving windows 10 free upgrade

sniperone · 3 Apr 2017 at 18:41

Is it possible to move the windows 10 free upgrade to a new build?
I had originally a Windows 7 retail upgrade that I purchased direct from Microsoft and would like if possible to save few quid when upgrading.

PapaLazaru · 3 Apr 2017 at 19:17

Yes, it is very easy. You can tie your key to your login. Then just install Win10 on the new rig, skip past the bit where you enter the key (it even tells you to do this) and then just enter your normal Windows login.

shankly1985 · 5 Apr 2017 at 19:45

PapaLazaru said:
Yes, it is very easy. You can tie your key to your login. Then just install Win10 on the new rig, skip past the bit where you enter the key (it even tells you to do this) and then just enter your normal Windows login.

How do I link it to my Microsoft account mate?

PapaLazaru · 5 Apr 2017 at 21:34

shankly1985 said:
How do I link it to my Microsoft account mate?

http://m.windowscentral.com/how-link-your-windows-10-product-key-microsoft-account

shankly1985 · 5 Apr 2017 at 22:00

PapaLazaru said:
http://m.windowscentral.com/how-link-your-windows-10-product-key-microsoft-account

Thanks

jpaul · 6 Apr 2017 at 21:36

PapaLazaru said:
Yes, it is very easy. You can tie your key to your login.

I'll bite .. the free upgrade licenses are tied to the mb / hardware config; attaching to a login just facilitates a re-install on same system.
if you look back at similar previous threads, people have invariably have to telephone MS for activation, with a sob story, to justify why they had to change from sandy bridge to kaby Lake say.
You could find yourself without a license at all, and in a similar situation I might be more tempted to re-install the 7 on the new system and then use the continuing 10 upgrade strategy.
If you have to call them nonetheless, and then explain why you recently tied key to login that could be more problematic.

PapaLazaru · 6 Apr 2017 at 22:03

jpaul said:
I'll bite .. the free upgrade licenses are tied to the mb / hardware config; attaching to a login just facilitates a re-install on same system.
if you look back at similar previous threads, people have invariably have to telephone MS for activation, with a sob story, to justify why they had to change from sandy bridge to kaby Lake say.
You could find yourself without a license at all, and in a similar situation I might be more tempted to re-install the 7 on the new system and then use the continuing 10 upgrade strategy.
If you have to call them nonetheless, and then explain why you recently tied key to login that could be more problematic.

I bought Windows 8 retail for £20 or so when it was cheap, then upgraded to 8.1 then free upgraded to 10. I have moved it twice with no issues with the last time from AMD to Intel. No phone calls, nothing.

Columbo · 6 Apr 2017 at 22:12

jpaul said:
I'll bite .. the free upgrade licenses are tied to the mb / hardware config; attaching to a login just facilitates a re-install on same system.
if you look back at similar previous threads, people have invariably have to telephone MS for activation, with a sob story, to justify why they had to change from sandy bridge to kaby Lake say.
You could find yourself without a license at all, and in a similar situation I might be more tempted to re-install the 7 on the new system and then use the continuing 10 upgrade strategy.
If you have to call them nonetheless, and then explain why you recently tied key to login that could be more problematic.

I've changed motherboards twice meaning I've had 3 motherboards since the free upgrade has been available and simply logged in with my Microsoft account which activated Windows just fine.
Haven't once had to call MS.

Broken Hope · 7 Apr 2017 at 07:48

jpaul said:
I'll bite .. the free upgrade licenses are tied to the mb / hardware config; attaching to a login just facilitates a re-install on same system.
if you look back at similar previous threads, people have invariably have to telephone MS for activation, with a sob story, to justify why they had to change from sandy bridge to kaby Lake say.
You could find yourself without a license at all, and in a similar situation I might be more tempted to re-install the 7 on the new system and then use the continuing 10 upgrade strategy.
If you have to call them nonetheless, and then explain why you recently tied key to login that could be more problematic.

I just had to use the activation troubleshooter, choose that i had changed hardware, log into my Microsoft account and then choose which device I had upgraded.

No phone call or sob story required.

jpaul · 7 Apr 2017 at 08:01

Ok, I am wrong then, your transfer experience seems to agrees with these 'https://answers.microsoft.com' forum comments

What happens if I change my motherboard?

As it pertains to the OEM licenses this will invalidate the Windows 10 upgrade license because it will no longer have a previous base qualifying license which is required for the free upgrade. You will then have to purchase a full retail Windows 10 license. If the base qualifying license (Windows 7 or Windows 8.1) was a full retail version, then yes, you can transfer it.

I do not know why microsoft do not make this kind of info available somehwere where it is more clearly autheticated by MS .. if it is, I never found it whilst still using 10.