If you upgraded from 8 to 8.1 you didn't get a new key.
The fact the clean install process for 8.1 was a bit broken is unrelated. MS have confirmed this isn't the case for 10 as you can clean install straight to 10.
Windows 10
- Thread starter Glaucus
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If you upgraded from 8 to 8.1 you didn't get a new key.
The fact the clean install process for 8.1 was a bit broken is unrelated. MS have confirmed this isn't the case for 10 as you can clean install straight to 10.
well fingers crossed they learned from how things went with 8.1. i dont know where you found the info but thanks. it had been bugging me.
well fingers crossed they learned from how things went with 8.1. i dont know where you found the info but thanks. it had been bugging me.
As with everything MS its a case if piecing together all the random bits of information they have trickled out through all sorts of channels.
im not panicking, just because someone says they've been thinking doesn't mean they panicking. if you had a thought/thinking what you class yourself as panicking? i don't think so...
anyway i be upgrading from the £25 win8 upgrade offer
i know all about oem / retail, and pre installed versions of win8/8.1 are tied to motherboard, win8/8.1 owm = retail if bought separate (not pre installed)
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Cheers. Was wondering when I might see mine but this update is 'pending restart' on my PC.
Your asking the same things that have been discussed countless times.
What did you upgrade to W8 from?
Basically, stop thinking of keys and devices as 2 seperate things, and instead think of them as one and the same.
i didn't ask anything in that post, i said i been thinking, asking and thinking are to different things
win7 oem so it'll be win8 oem > win10 oem... which i know....
but going by this http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/lic...ensing-for-personal-use.aspx#fbid=PSDjAM_Hwb4 oem is not for personal use, well win8 oem was... but theres never been a windows 8.1 retail..
Theres always been a discrepancy between what's successfully activated and what's considered "licensed" by the terms and conditions. Its incredibly difficult (I.e. impossible) to police as it all comes down to who physically uses a device, which Microsoft can't track.
But as your coming from OEM your going to be limited by your motherboard anyway, so Windows 10 won't be any different to your situation with 7 or 8. But all this means is you have to phone the robot rather than activate online so its not a problem.
Ive got 3 Windows 7 retail licenses, an 8.1 with Bing OEM, and a 8.1 Enterprise all due to be updated so I think I'll have most bases covered
But as your coming from OEM your going to be limited by your motherboard anyway, so Windows 10 won't be any different to your situation with 7 or 8. But all this means is you have to phone the robot rather than activate online so its not a problem.
Ive got 3 Windows 7 retail licenses, an 8.1 with Bing OEM, and a 8.1 Enterprise all due to be updated so I think I'll have most bases covered
Windows 8 changed licenses
Windows 7 OEM pre installed and windows 7 OEM is tied to mobo.
Windows 8 and 8.1 pre installed OEM is tied to mobo,
Windows 8 and 8.1 OEM purchased is transferable.
They really ***** up calling it OEM and changing the licenses.
Ny windows upgrade you just applied the underlying license.
So you aren't going from win7 > win8 > win 10.
You're simply continuing to use your win 7 license, with what ever t&cs apply.
Thanks, i'll have a look into it!
what i mean was because i upgraded from w7 oem to w8 it still = as oem non transferable because im upgrading from a non transferable license,
if i bought w8 oem then upgrade to w10 then that basically = as w10 retail..
Yep, upgrades always use the underlying t&cs,
So your win7 is your original key and as that's OEM, technically it's tied to mobo. Although 99% of the time, you'll have no issue phone activating on a different mobo.
My original key is win7 retail, from the cheap release offer so I'm fine.
Those who got win 8 OEM = essentially retail. Minor difference in licenses but nothing worth debating. They are totally transferable.
So your win7 is your original key and as that's OEM, technically it's tied to mobo. Although 99% of the time, you'll have no issue phone activating on a different mobo.
My original key is win7 retail, from the cheap release offer so I'm fine.
Those who got win 8 OEM = essentially retail. Minor difference in licenses but nothing worth debating. They are totally transferable.
Because the shift on how keys and devices are linked wasn't in place when 7 was released. It was still the tradition 'key per version' structure.
Windows 8 (or maybe 8.1, can't remember) was what changed the way keys and Windows versions are linked.
Basically, what you now own is a "Windows License" that's either transferable or not (depending on the complex various options to how you optained it). The version number is no longer relevent (although the branch is, i.e. Home, Pro, etc).
When you look at it like that you can see why Microsoft have done it. It brings it in line with how licensing for most other software works, especially corporate software, where you get upgrades included in the license. It also aligns with how Office 365 and things work (although that is a subscription rather than a one off payment, but its still "an Office License" rather than just a specific release of Office).
Microsoft have been, as usual, really **** at explaining what they are doing. But when you work it all out it makes sense.
Although in that case you have to pay ongoing maintenance/subscription to continue to get updates or use.
I guess that will have to come at some point as they can't keep giving away new versions for free. Unlike Apple they still need to generate income from their O/S.