Windows 10: Help - Please UNCONFUSE me -- Licence and keys (Retail upgrade)

Hi there

Upgraded to DIFFERENT machines from activated W8.1 Pro and W7 Ultimate.

Checking versions with SLMGR /DLI I see the Windows partial product Key is the same - *********3V66T on both machines which I believe is the generic one but the PRODUCT ID is actually different on each machine. (View the product ID by looking at SYSTEM in settings or Control panel).









I'm a bit confused then as to what will happen once the activation servers get back to normal and I want do a NEW CLEAN INSTALL.

Presumably this licence key can't really be part of the activation process any more as EVERBODY has the same one !!!! so on a clean install where does it get the licensing info from -- especially say if you reformat your HDD and use the same ISO / USB you created from the Media Creation tool.

It can't be just a Hardware Index since there must be MILLIONS of computers out there with identical hardware.

I've made image copies of both systems just in case a clean install fails activation.

Both systems were updated via Upgrade directly from Ms - not using the media creation tool - from LEGAL activated OS'es (Not OEM) W8.1 Pro and W7 Ultimate.

Anybody got any ideas.

Cheers
jimbo

:)

 

Licence Rights and transferring from device to device

As already known in windows 7 that the retail licence can be transferred to any device but the OEM licence is not transferable. So, my question is that,
is it same for windows 10 also that OEM licence cannot be transferred to other devices or after device upgrades (motherboard change, etc) and also about the retail version of windows 10? And
Please confirm the licencing rights and transferring of licences after free upgrade from windows 10 and also after buying retail windows 10.

 

A few questions regarding WINDOWS LICENCE KEYS and Windows 10 reservations

I have a few questions regarding the Windows Key and the Windows 10 reservation process.

1. I have TWO Windows licences one is retail and the other is an OEM. I use the retail Win8.1 licence on my PC but I haven't installed or activated the OEM Win8 licence on any device (I got a good deal on it so I went for it but I don't think I even opened
the envelope yet), it's just siting around. As far as I know an OEM licence, once installed on a device is PERMANENTLY tied to it (right?). So my question is,
How do I upgrade my OEM Win8 licence to a Windows 10 Licence without installing and activating the Licence and permanently tying it to a PC? and will the upgraded Win10 have Retail or OEM properties?

2. I have a licence key K1: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx which came with my retail windows 8.1. If I decide to upgrade my Windows 8.1 (which is activated with this key), What happens to the Key? Can I do a clean install of Win8 or Win8.1 using this key
again? Can I do a clean install of Win10 using this key? I'm not asking if they can be activated simultaneously. I'm saying can either the Win8 or Win8.1 or Win10 be activated separately at will using K1? even after, say 5 year after the release
of Win10

3. After I upgrade my retail Win8.1 to Win10, will the Win10 retain the "Retail properties" of the Win8.1 key? i.e can I reinstall the Win10 on a completely different PC with completely different
hardware signature like I can with my current key through phone activation.

Thanks for taking the time to go through my long list of questions.

 

It produces a unique hardware hash which is kept on the MS servers. It is produced when you "Activate" your upgraded Win 7/8.

Now you can continue to use it or do a clean install. Your upgraded sytem MUST be activated before attempting a clean install

When doing the clean install skip where it asks for a key.

 

The thing is that what MS have said the win10 update is tied to a device this can now seen to be true what happens if you wish to move your retail licence to another device? I think you can within a year as you can repeat the update cycle, after that I think no as there is no retail win 10 key.

 

From my understanding if the W7/W8 original installation was from a retail version e.g Shop bought or Bought online then Yes.
If it was an OEM or pre-installed version then No.
The only scenario I can envisage is this.
You commence the installation and it does'nt activate so you have to ring the automated number. Now this bit I'm guessing.
Seeing as how there's no "Key" only a generic one you'd be asked to input the original W7/8 retail "Key" and the server would kill the old W10 hardware hash and create a new one. This is only supposition.
Worth a read.
Q. If I purchased my copy of Windows 7 or 8/8.1 as a retail license from either a brick-and-mortar store or an online store, then I upgrade to Windows 10, can I transfer that upgrade to a new computer under the retail licensing?
A. Yes
http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/w...and-who-doesnt

 

Yes but the win10 update is only available for a year and it is per device What happens after that is most unclear. If updating after a year is no longer free ringing MS won't help.

 

Hi there

Update :

I've just done a COMPLETE fresh (clean) install on one system where I'd done the upgrade -- seems to be OK still activated with the windows 10 key same as the generic one. I skipped the prompt to enter the key.

Anyway I'll just be grateful I seem to have a load of FREE W10 systems (saves 199 USD a pop LESS TAX !!!) so I can't complain.

Cheers
jimbo

 

Hi jimbo, I don't know where all this "key" confusion is coming from. "keys" aren't involved at all. When you activated your upgrade a unique hardware hash or ID of your hardware if you prefer was uploaded to the MS Servers. When you reinstalled it just compared your hardware ID with the one kept on the server saw they matched and activated.

 

If you do the Windows 10 upgrade in the first 12 months it will be free for the lifetime of that device .

 

You can upgrade after the one year is up. Your just going to pay for it is all. And you'll be able to contact Microsoft for Tech Support with your purchased copy.

Once you do the free upgrade and activate, you can clean install on that same hardware after that. Over and over again. Even after the one year period ends. Your activation is good for the life of that device.