Windows 10 activation

fr0sty · 25 Jul 2016 at 12:37

I was having some computer problems and have decided to build a new pc and the parts are on their way.

I was on windows 7 and upgraded to windows 10.
The first install I done was the the upgrade from 7 to 10 which went fine. Then I done a clean install on a new ssd which also went fine and activated again OK.
Now I will be installing again with new parts. Do I use my windows 7 serial or what?

Lemin · 25 Jul 2016 at 13:31

If your win 7 was retail, then that number (after upgrade) should now be a win 10 retail key.

Glanza · 25 Jul 2016 at 13:40

If you change your mobo that's when it starts getting funny with the Win 10 upgrade keys.

fr0sty · 25 Jul 2016 at 14:37

I would love it if my win 7 key worked it would be very handy. Are Microsoft clever enough for this to be the case. I didn't really want to upgrade to windows 10 at all but windows update stopped working on windows 7 and it kinda forced me to take the plunge.

I have a feeling that their support will be very obliging as a lot of what's going on here seems to be a real mess.

Hagar · 25 Jul 2016 at 14:40

Glanza said:
If you change your mobo that's when it starts getting funny with the Win 10 upgrade keys.

Not with retail (win 7 ultimate > win 10 pro), just activate over the internet as usual

joey1211 · 25 Jul 2016 at 14:43

From what I understand you can install 7 or 10 using your activation key.

http://www.howtogeek.com/220723/how-to-uninstall-windows-10-and-downgrade-to-windows-7-or-8.1/

Imaged my pcs, upgraded to 10 and then reapplied the 7 image back to most of my stuff over the weekend.

fr0sty · 28 Jul 2016 at 08:49

I put the hard drive from the old pc into the new one and booted up but it wasn't activated and said I needed to buy a serial.There is no phone number displayed on the screen like there used to be by the way. Before I looked for a number and rang them I took the opportunity to do a clean install. . At the part where it asks you for the serial number I entered my windows 7 one and after about a minute of waiting it accepted it ok

Not too bad in the end. Although I have found on 2 different USB sticks the windows ISO downloaded using the media creation tool doesn't work a second time for some reason. I had to redo the USB stick again on both occasions.

MoRT489 · 28 Jul 2016 at 09:21

If I install my W10 upgrade onto a new SSD will W7 still continue to work on my old SSD or will it be locked out because I can only have one active installation with my retail key?

EDIT: Well I just clean installed W10 onto a new SSD and activated it using my W7 key, all good, and now I've plugged the W7 SSD back in and it still works as before. It's still reminding me about the free W10 upgrade though, shouldn't it know I've just used the CD key to activate it so it can stop reminding me?