Windows 10: Microsoft quietly rewrites its activation rules for Windows 10

Discus and support Microsoft quietly rewrites its activation rules for Windows 10 in Windows 10 News to solve the problem; Windows product keys are almost (but not quite) a thing of the past. With Windows 10, Microsoft has rewritten the rules for how it performs product... Discussion in 'Windows 10 News' started by labeeman, Aug 12, 2015.

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  1. LABEEMAN
    labeeman Win User

    Microsoft quietly rewrites its activation rules for Windows 10


    Source
     
    labeeman, Aug 12, 2015
    #1
  2. ALPHANUMERIC
    alphanumeric New Member

    Very interesting stuff. I just did a clean install of 10 on my second desktop PC. It was already upgraded legally to 10 Pro and activated. I used my MSDN ISO. To speed things up I added a PID.txt file with my generic Pro key in it. No having to click skip twice at the enter a product key screens. Or having to tell it to install Pro. Activated just fine too.

    :)
     
    alphanumeric, Aug 12, 2015
    #2
  3. ROHN007
    Rohn007 Win User
    Rohn007, Aug 12, 2015
    #3
  4. SHILOHBOB
    Shilohbob Win User

    Microsoft quietly rewrites its activation rules for Windows 10

    Shilohbob, Aug 12, 2015
    #4
  5. LABEEMAN
    labeeman Win User
    Yes that story has a lot of details most people that have issues do need to read.
     
    labeeman, Aug 12, 2015
    #5
  6. PHONE MAN
    Phone Man Win User
    This is a quote from an update to that article.

    This matches the Windows 10 EULA and my Windows 10 that was upgraded from my W8.1 Retail license can be transferred to a new PC but requires a call to Customer Service.

    Jim *Cool
     
    Phone Man, Aug 13, 2015
    #6
  7. BLUESCREEN
    BlueScreen Win User
    Hi, Glad to join you.

    This is my first post, so be indulgent with me, (English is not my native language).
    Just to explain a case where I am lost.
    My rig is home made with z68 Chipset and Intel I7-2600k . Was running W8.1 Pro since 2012/2013 - Upgraded from Windows 7 ultimate with retail promo key sold by MS at this time.
    I got the icon "Get Windows 10" and made the move to w10 pro july 30th and keep nothing.

    Three days ago my Motherboard died (Gigabyte z68). Could not find exact replacement and buy a z97 mobo + new Proco I7-4790.
    Of course Windows won't boot at all from SSD.
    Following advices found here and there , I try to install from ISO file clean install but cannot be activated.
    I call European MS support, and they told me that I need to buy a new license .. huh !
    My windows 8 was on retail channel, so what ?
    Something is not yet clear with MS.

    If I reinstall Windows 8.1 I suppose my key will be blocked as I upgraded to Windows 10 ???
    I'm not familiar with licenses and cluf , never had problems before.
    What should I do ?
     
    BlueScreen, Aug 13, 2015
    #7
  8. BOOZAD
    Boozad Win User

    Microsoft quietly rewrites its activation rules for Windows 10

    The 8.1 key should not be blocked and you should be fine reinstalling it. Whether you choose to upgrade to 10 again using a retail qualifying OS is up to you though, this is one major flaw in the upgrade offer that MS really should have warned people about.
     
    Boozad, Aug 13, 2015
    #8
  9. JIMBO45
    jimbo45 Win User
    Hi there

    as Boozad says -- your 8.1 key will work just fine --install W8.1 AND ACTIVATE it. If you intend to go to W10 then after updating W8.1 with the latest updates plus any drivers for your mobo go ahead and do the upgrade to W10. I wouldn't install any of your programs on W8.1 before upgrading to W10 as you'll only have to re-install them again. During this upgrade DO NOT ENTER ANY PRODUCT KEYS - simply click the SKIP button (or "Do this later" button).

    Now after you've got W10 installed (use the media creation tool) and activated it's up to you now whether you want to do a CLEAN W10 re-install or not. Don't enter any product keys - just skip those steps.

    If you simply re-installed W8.1 and upgraded directly to W10 BEFORE installing all your programs I'd be happy with that and not bother at this time with the CLEAN re-install of W10.

    Note - you will only get the SAME version of Windows (Home--> Home, Pro --Pro) and Language for example FR-->FR.

    In Pro you can install zillions of Languages as well if you want more.

    Cheers
    jimbo
     
    jimbo45, Aug 13, 2015
    #9
  10. WROGG
    wrogg Win User
    I rolled back without any issues (after disabling the Windows 10 icon) I upgrade this PC every six months! You get 30 days to roll back not sure if the Windows 8 key would be blocked then or not?
    Speaking for myself and everyone I know, if this were the case it would not be Microsoft the new operating system was replaced with.
    If they had let you know, who reads the license? But it's a little underhand.
    My 8.1 was originally XP Pro, and I have paid to upgrade it every time a new version comes out.
    Since 8, I have been leaning on getting a Mac anyway TBH
     
    wrogg, Aug 13, 2015
    #10
  11. BLUESCREEN
    BlueScreen Win User
    Whooo ! What a nice forum. *Smile

    Thanks all for your suggestions and way to go.


    I will format my C: partition on the SSD and reinstall Windows 8.1. Then ask to activate via phone if possible.
    What is an hassle is to make all updates before upgrading to Win 10.

    I already have a ton of System images made with ShadowProtect, but they are useless with the new hardware.
     
    BlueScreen, Aug 13, 2015
    #11
  12. COUNTMIKE
    CountMike New Member
    Same problems with activation could be had even if MB was replaced by identical one because each one has different ID number.....or not ?
     
    CountMike, Aug 13, 2015
    #12
  13. CHEMIE
    chemie Win User

    Microsoft quietly rewrites its activation rules for Windows 10

    That would make sense since it was the case from Win7/8 days but several people have been told by MS this is not the case for Win10. After July/16, it is OEM rules for retails copies.
     
    chemie, Aug 13, 2015
    #13
  14. GOATTY2
    goatty2 Win User
    hope not as I build a new computer every couple of years and have win 10 installed on top of win 7 ultimate retail
     
    goatty2, Aug 13, 2015
    #14
  15. ALPHANUMERIC
    alphanumeric New Member
    I think your very mistaken and need to clarify what you said. What Retail copies become OEM? And why after July 16th? Links to said info please.
     
    alphanumeric, Aug 13, 2015
    #15
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