Windows 10: Upgrade-related question involving a second Windows 10 machine

I have a Windows 7 Pro desktop and am planning to build a new desktop and use the license to install Windows 10 Pro on that. Of course, I expect the Windows 7 machine will stop functioning, which is fine.

I also have a Surface 3 Pro with Win 10 Home (purchased as a student) and account name ABC.

Can I use account name ABC on the desktop also? If so, can it only upgrade to Windows 10 Home so that it matches the Surface installation?

:)

 

Question involving a Windows 10 Upgrade

Hi Matt,

With Windows 10, you can link your Microsoft account to the Windows 10 digital license on your computer. This would help reactivating Windows after making a significant hardware change, such as replacing the keyboard. Here's how to link your Microsoft account
to the digital license of Windows 10:

• Press the Start button, then select Settings
  > Update & security > Activation, then select
  Add an account. You must be signed in as an administrator to add your Microsoft account.
• Enter your Microsoft account and password, then select Sign in. You will need to enter the password for your local account if the Microsoft account entered is not a connected account.
• After adding your Microsoft account, you'll see Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account
  on the Activation page.

For more information about reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change, kindly read through this
link.

However, if your Original Hardware Manufacturer (OEM) changed the motherboard for you, your PC should reactivate automatically or you should be provided with a replacement product key.

If you have further questions about activating Windows 10, feel free to ask us.

If you think this was useful, feel free to "mark it as an answer" to help those who have the same question.

 

Question involving a Windows 10 Upgrade

I currently have an OEM edition of Windows 7. I plan on purchasing a windows 10 upgrade soon and upgrading, however I'm also changing motherboards in a few days. If I upgrade to windows 10 with a purchased version will it allow me to carry it over due
to me paying for windows 10 already? Thank you and I appreciate the response.

 

First - the Windows 7 Pro desktop Windows 7 must be a retail version in order to legally transfer it to a new computer. If it is an OEM license, it cannot be legally transferred to the new computer. You can verify the product key is OEM or Retail by running showkey plus from this forum:
Showkey - Windows 10 Forums

Second - the old Windows 7 Pro computer will not stop functioning on it's own. But if it is a retail licensed Windows 7 you must uninstall Windows 7 from the old computer before installing it on the new computer in order to be legal. You can't have it installed on two computers at the same time. If it is an OEM license, you can't move it at all.

Third - yes, you can use the same user account (either local or MS account login) on multiple computers and multiple different versions of Windows.

 

First off, thanks for the information. I checked the link you provided and my system is Windows 7 Professional, 64-bit, and OEM:NONSLP. After Googling a little it seems the NONSLP part of it means I can in fact transfer the license to the new hardware but must remove it from the original machine. That's perfectly fine, I intend to wipe that drive anyway.

Is my understanding correct?

 

No. The difference between the SLP and NONSLP is the method which can be used to install and activate Windows. With an SLP product key, only the restore disk/USB provided by the manufacturer can be used to install and activate Windows because the SLP product key activates the Windows installation with the license contained in the software provided by the Manufacturer and not with Microsoft.. With a NONSLP product key, the standard installation media can be used to install and activate Windows because a NONSLP product key will activate Windows with Microsoft, not the manufacturer. The SLP product keys make it easier for manufacturers to do installations of Windows on mass quantities of computers.

OEM means the license for that copy of Windows is valid for ONLY the device on which it is originally installed. RETAIL means the license for that version of Windows is transferable to new devices. On physical computers, pretty much the motherboard is the device. A virtual machine is also considered as a separate device.

Note this from Microsoft:
Windows system builder licensing for personal use

 

*Sad

I bought Windows from tigerdirect back when I was building my current system as a separate purchase. In fact, I think I bought almost every other part from other vendors, including the MB and CPU.

Oh well. You've been a big help, and thank you.

 

Sorry to bring bad news.