Windows 10: Converting license keys for RTM installs?

Does anyone know how Microsoft handles the whole issue of license keys yet? Does it actually take your old 7/8 key and replaces it with a Windows 10 key?

I already installed RTM on every machine in the house to avoid the release day rush, but Windows hasn't made any attempt to ask me to upgrade my old keys at all, and since it was a clean install with no key, it keeps reminding me to activate. *Huh

:)

 

Windows 10 Pro Free Installation

If you have Pro Digital License on the PC then insert the Generic Pro key at Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Change Product Key to unlock Pro version and it should activate with the Digital License.

Generic key to install Windows 10 RTM



If you don't have the Pro Digital License on that PC yet then you'll need to insert the Pro Product Key instead, or go to the Store app to upgrade with a new or existing Upgrade purchased there.

 

Activating Windows again

You should be able to chat with Support by opening the Get Help or Contact Support app in Start menu. If you ever had a Digital License on the PC from the free Upgrade they will reactivate.

If you inserted any other than the
Generic key to install Windows 10 RTM it may mess up activating with the Digital License until you restore the correct default key for your version from the list. Then the Activation troubleshooter should work. But if not Support should activate it.

 

The initial upgrade must be exactly that - an upgrade- once you have performed an upgrade on the device it will be possible to perform a clean install - although Microsoft has stated that this may take a while before the system for this is active

 

See post #6 in this thread.

Will windows 10 update provide a product key for clean install? - Windows 10 Forums

Short answer: the free upgrade does not provide a new Win 10 key.

If you wish to take advantage of it, you'll need to re-install and activate the qualifying OSes on each PC, and then upgrade. I'm not certain, but I believe there's an upgrade option which retains nothing from the old OS, and that may be equivalent to a clean install.

 

Sounds to me like they're expecting you to install your old OS and then do an upgrade every time. :/

 

Only the first time you install to that device. After that, you can do clean installs.