Windows 7/10 license on new kit

slipd

slipd

slipd

Soldato
Joined
26 Feb 2004
Posts
4,805
Location
Hampshire, England.
Hi guys,

Like a lot of people I went from a retail copy of Windows 7 Ultimate, looking at the box now, to Windows 10 under the free update programme. Where do I stand when I completely overhaul my current setup later this month? Will my current Win 10 key simply port over with a phone activation etc.? I'm guessing I'll have to use keyfinder software to find it?

I paid £200 for Windows 7 :rolleyes:

Thanks.
 
Wow! Thanks. Why isn't this more well known? I've known of colleagues/friends resorting to buying news keys etc.
 
slipd said:
Wow! Thanks. Why isn't this more well known? I've known of colleagues/friends resorting to buying news keys etc.
Click to expand...

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Hmm, looks like I'm already there?
 
The Windows 10 license is linked to the microsoft account, so when you log in to your new PC, you will be asked to move your license over and disassociate the old PC. Once you do that it is all activated and ready to go on the new one.
 
If Windows 10 was previously installed and activated and not linked to an account, Microsoft will recognise the hardware hash of your PC when you reinstall Windows 10.

If the activation status says "Windows is activated with a digital licence", then it isn't linked to a Microsoft account.

If the activation status says "Windows is activated with a digital licence associated with your Microsoft account", then it is linked to an account and I am unsure if the following will work for you.

Last weekend I had to reinstall Windows 10 (that had been previously upgraded for free from Windows 7) on my sons computer.
His computer's activation status said "Windows is activated with a digital licence" only.
I downloaded the "Windows 10 Media Creation Tool" from Microsoft, ran it, selected the option for another PC, downloaded the ISO file and burned the Windows 10 installation files to a DVD disc.
I completely wiped, re-partitioned and reformatted the hard-drive and on installation selected the "I do not have a key" option (Also, I never signed using any account).
The only thing you do have to do is when presented with a list of Windows 10 versions, select the same one that was previously activated (I had Windows 10 Pro x64 before and selected the same).
After Windows 10 was finally installed, it went on the internet, spoke to Microsoft and fully activated itself all automatically.
 
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