Windows 10 reinstall, after 1 year with new mobo?

jamiehavok

jamiehavok

jamiehavok

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Ok What happens if i upgrade to windows 10 from a retail win 7 copy, then in a years time when apparently win 10 is not free anymore and i get a new motherboard, can i use the install media i created for win 10 after the upgrade and use my win 7 key to activate? or will i have to buy a copy of win10 then? cant seem to find this answer anywhere! .
 
dreigns said:
You have to buy a key its tied to the motherboard
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thanks, i just saw the "windows upgrade is crap" thread, seems it does work if you switch motherboards but you have to phone ms, think ill just buy a retail win10 copy on usb that they are selling and be done with it when i upgrade to save the hassle.
 
Hyburnate said:
Yep the upgrade is OEM copy only whether you come from retail or OEM so it's tied to the motherboard.
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yeah and like an oem copy if you call ms you can stiil transfer it! but yeah cant be bothered with any of that, so ill just buy a retail copy when time comes.
 
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I can see cheap OEM keys online for Windows 8.1 (Legit)

If I was to purchase one of these keys and install Windows 8.1 would I get a free upgrade to OEM 10
 
You will be able to use phone activation after the key fails and they will tie your new mobo to your copy of Win10.

As long as you claim it within a year its free forever, no matter if you change the mobo. You just need to let them know.
 
I'm quite surprised that someone would spend their hard earned on a product they can get for free just because they can't be bothered to make a 10 minute phone call in the event they may change their motherboard... especially when it will take just as long to buy it (probably longer).

Obviously its a little up in the air, but I agree with the others, I very much doubt MS are going to refuse to activate it over the phone if you change your motherboard; remember they want as many users of it as possible (that was one of their fundamental aims with W10) and so alienating their user-base in this way makes no sense.

Funny thing is, I decided to try my only paid Windows licence in an effort to get my free Win10 copy, a Windows 8.0 Pro upgrade I bought off a student site, which in the past wouldn't activate on a clean install (for obvious reasons), and when I tried the other day it activated itself straight away! Go figure that one out....
 
Drake5 said:
I can see cheap OEM keys online for Windows 8.1 (Legit)

If I was to purchase one of these keys and install Windows 8.1 would I get a free upgrade to OEM 10
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Yes thats the best way to do it. If you can find Windows 7 legit keys even cheaper then thats even better
 
Drake5 said:
I can see cheap OEM keys online for Windows 8.1 (Legit)

If I was to purchase one of these keys and install Windows 8.1 would I get a free upgrade to OEM 10
Click to expand...

After the year that they're offering the upgrade? No. But I've already found a few sites offering Windows 10 legitimate keys for £40.
 
dreigns said:
You have to buy a key its tied to the motherboard
Click to expand...

Hyburnate said:
Yep the upgrade is OEM copy only whether you come from retail or OEM so it's tied to the motherboard.
Click to expand...

jamiehavok said:
yeah and like an oem copy if you call ms you can stiil transfer it! but yeah cant be bothered with any of that, so ill just buy a retail copy when time comes.
Click to expand...

going by the FAQ and EULA you can transfer the free upgrade

Can I reinstall Windows 10 on my computer after upgrading?

Yes. Once you’ve upgraded to Windows 10 using the free upgrade offer, you will be able to reinstall, including a clean install, on the same device. You won’t need a product key for re-activations on the same hardware. If you make a meaningful change to your hardware, you may need to contact customer support to help with activation. You’ll also be able to create your own installation media like a USB drive or DVD, and use that to upgrade your device or reinstall after you’ve upgraded.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/windows-10-faq
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4. 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
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