Hi guys im getting pestered by win10 to upgrade , im using win7 pro at the moment, if I go ahead and get the free upgrade what happens if I build a new pc ,will my old win7 activation codes still be valid or does the upgrade kill it and would I then have to buy a win 10 disc ?
win7 to 10 then possible new build later licence issues
- Thread starter Big red
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what version of windows 7 do you have, is it OEM or retail?
OEM is tied to the motherboard of the first PC its installed on too so it cannot be moved to a new PC (legally) but people have moved OEM versions from one PC to another and just had to go through the activation again or call Microsoft's automated service for a unlock code but this is against the Microsoft's licensing terms.
If its retail then this can be moved from PC to PC but only activated on one PC at a time.
OEM is tied to the motherboard of the first PC its installed on too so it cannot be moved to a new PC (legally) but people have moved OEM versions from one PC to another and just had to go through the activation again or call Microsoft's automated service for a unlock code but this is against the Microsoft's licensing terms.
If its retail then this can be moved from PC to PC but only activated on one PC at a time.
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If you update the hardware sufficiently (i.e. mobo) you will have to call/live chat Windows Tech Support to get them to reactivate Windows. You will also be able to fresh install Windows 10 (provided you download the new build) and activate it with your Windows 7 key
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Depends on the build of Windows 10 you are running. Sorry I can't remember the numbers. If you go to online chat to get them to reset your key they get you to check your build number. Depending on the build number you can either use your Windows 7/8 key or they will send you to the download page to download and upgrade to the newer Windows 10 build which allows activation via Windows 7/8 keys
I think with the new current build you can use your licence in which you upgraded from to activate - but you might need to use the phone to activate.
I did the online chat when I did my upgrade late November and they asked my to download and install the latest build.
I did the online chat when I did my upgrade late November and they asked my to download and install the latest build.
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Same. Either way it's pretty quick and pain free
I upgraded from Windows 8.1, i changed the motherboard and CPU now i can't activate Windows 10. See Pic.
So i tried the phone activation and was told the key was not recognised, so i phoned them up, the support guy told me because i changed the motherboard my copy of Windows 10 was forfeit, that i had to buy Windows 10.
so you know what, ####'em, i'm not paying for Windows again, and then again when i change the motherboard again. there are other ways of doing this.
So i tried the phone activation and was told the key was not recognised, so i phoned them up, the support guy told me because i changed the motherboard my copy of Windows 10 was forfeit, that i had to buy Windows 10.
so you know what, ####'em, i'm not paying for Windows again, and then again when i change the motherboard again. there are other ways of doing this.
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OEM is tied to the hardware so you can't move your license to another build
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Humbug, you may be able to pick up a cheap Windows 7 license use that to activate Windows 10 (providing you have the new build installed - you can always upgrade to the new build)
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What worries me is he didn't say anything about OEM.
All he did say was Windows 10 embeds its licence into the Motherboard, it is then tied to that Motherboard, They consider the Motherboard to be the computer, if you change the Motherboard its no longer the computer the licence is tied to, its forfeit.
I told him the Motherboard is only one component of a computer, he said its the main component and recognised as 'the' computer.
So i don't trust that even a Retail Copy of Windows will be Motherboard transferable in 10 format. the licence with that OS goes with the old Motherboard, its SN is what MS have on record as what the OS was activated on, Change the Board, connect to their servers for activation and what they get back is a different SN, = different computer.
All he did say was Windows 10 embeds its licence into the Motherboard, it is then tied to that Motherboard, They consider the Motherboard to be the computer, if you change the Motherboard its no longer the computer the licence is tied to, its forfeit.
I told him the Motherboard is only one component of a computer, he said its the main component and recognised as 'the' computer.
So i don't trust that even a Retail Copy of Windows will be Motherboard transferable in 10 format. the licence with that OS goes with the old Motherboard, its SN is what MS have on record as what the OS was activated on, Change the Board, connect to their servers for activation and what they get back is a different SN, = different computer.
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I did this last week with my retail copy of Windows 7. Had to chat with them to get it unlocked to reactivate. I didn't have any issues
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Me :'(? Or the Microsoft guy?
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