Windows 10: Clean install with existing key

I WAS WRONG ON THIS! This is from the Windows 10 EULA:

5. Authorized Software and Activation. You are authorized to use this software only if you are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method. When you connect to the Internet while using the software, the software will automatically contact Microsoft or its affiliate to confirm the software is genuine and the license is associated with the licensed device. You can also activate the software manually by Internet or telephone.

 

Hang on a second - does this part of the EULA refer to Insider builds as well, or just retail?

 

I agree with Superfly - do a Clean install: Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums
You have an existing digital entitlement because you previously upgraded, so skip any install pane that asks for a key.

Connect the new SSD and when you get to the Where do you want to install phase, make sure the drive is empty.

Just a precautionary comment ... one member recently got a new SSD and there was a partition on the drive. Having a partition on the drive does not allow Windows install to initialize it. I suppose it's only an issue if your system is UEFI based firmware.

The other member just had to re-install and make sure the drive was empty.

 

I'll have to look later tonight, my tablet has insider preview installed. Here you go, read section 4:

Program Agreement | Windows Insider Program

 

Insider builds also require activation. They also fall under the same rules as the free upgrade. If you don't have a digital entitlement for Windows 10 on that device, or a valid product code to enter, it will not activate. Insider builds are treated the same way Retail builds are as far as installation and activation goes.

 

Not a single mention of activate or activation in there.

 

Except that it's no longer possible to activate Insider builds on a fresh PC.

Which means MS is indirectly promoting illegal use of their Insider builds by giving away the associated ISOs?

Doesn't make any sense.

 

You can download Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 ISO's freely here, Software Download You still need a valid product code to activate, so how is that promoting piracy? One of the biggest complaints in the past was easy access to install media. They fixed that quit nicely.

The original insider builds were free to try. Once the official consumer release went out they changed it. If they hadn't, people would just download the insider builds for a free ride. In the past, preview builds (AKA Beta) would have a time bomb and expire after a certain date. Insider builds don't do that. If you upgrade to the next build the expiry date gets extended. You can activate Insider builds on a new PC if you enter a valid product code. Retail codes will work, as far as I know. Insider builds accept the same keys the Retail builds do. You can switch the consumer release to Insider too in settings.

The bottom line is, the Insider builds are no longer free.

 

It does say

4.1 The Software may require a key to install or access it.

And there is a link to this, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Uset...10_English.htm It's all generic, non specific, as far as I can tell. It covers Microsoft software in general.

 

Yeah, you need a valid product code to activate, but you don't need a valid product code to use it. You'll just get a watermark asking you to activate. So millions of people can simply install and run Windows 10 insider builds for free, without activating it.

 

tengeezer, If you want to continue the Activation discussion, please start a new thread.
We've beat this issue to death ... let's return the thread to the member who started it, ok?
- Thanks!
And now back to our regularly scheduled program...

 

I agree with everything in post #24!

 

You can't run it indefinably like that though. You will face increasing reduced functionality until its basically impossible to use it. There are consequences to not activating it. Anyway as mentioned lets let things go back on track.