Windows 10: What happens to those free Windows 10 upgrades after July 29, 2016?

It was brought up on the Microsoft yammer group and the reply was that this behavior was by design. Right now, when Home is installed automatically, you get a digital entitlement via the free upgrade. That's why my laptop had digital entitlement for Home and Pro. I did the free upgrade from 8.1 Pro to 10 Pro. Then decided latter on to do a clean install. That's when I ended up with Home instead of Pro. I had to do a change key and enter the generic Pro key to then upgrade to Pro. If I had waited until after the 29th to do my clean install, that default Home install wouldn't get a digital entitlement and it wouldn't have activated. An even worse scenario is if you buy Home after that date and Pro gets installed due to an OEM key. You are screwed. You can't do a change key because you can't upgrade to Home from Pro. These scenarios are remote but it does happen. The Microsoft Community Forum was flooded with "Microsoft ripped me off" posts when people got Home on a clean install instead of the Pro edition they originally had from the free upgrade.

 

No, that will not be changed. Most consumer computers will be product-key activated because they are off-line activated. That has been true since XP debuted. That is how it is now. July won't affect that. What won't happen after July is upgrade licenses. They are gone. Every copy of Windows 10 is Full Package Product.

 

Not exactly true. Windows 7 and earlier, OEM-SLP keys are blocked from online activation. Windows 8/8.1 and 10 OEM embedded keys activate online though, just like Retail keys.

 

@alphanumeric.

I was aware of that, if you still have that issue " there is a way to get you Pro instead of Home " through a registry modification before the so called upgrade promotion upgrade ends...

I can get you that information later tonight if you like?

You just have to do this registry tweak, and do a quick format on current HD and reinstall Window Pro

I will be happy to assist you alphanumeric later tonight or in the future if you like

 

All you need to do is add a PID.tx file with the generic Pro key to the sources folder. It's what I do. Pro is installed by default with no key prompt. Replace it with the Home key and 10 Home will be installed. Works with Windows 8 too if you know what key to enter. PID.txt and ei.cfg override embedded key detection.

 

Or even more simple in a clean install so your head is 100% clear, inside your registry and push a new clean install and you will get your pro or whatever choice you wish

 

What is the registry key?

 

My mistake a registry modification that will assign what your choice is within the registry modification

I just don't have the time at this time to get you started, but I will later tonight or when your available.

But a clean re-install will be required

 

That is on a clean install. The PID.txt tells setup to install Pro instead of Home. I've been doing it since Windows 7. For Windows 8/8.1 I enter my MSDN key that was originally used on said PC. I have a custom install thumb drive for each PC I own. I also add an $OEM$ folder with the OEM branding for the system page etc.

 

Are you referring to the downgrade trick to go from Pro to Home? Something like this, http://www.unawave.de/installation/d...n.html?lang=EN

 

@alphanumeric.

Its all good their are many other ways I just wanted your issue resolved and I offered you a solation to get your system from Home to Pro *Wink

 

Yes Sir!

And that information will help many folks and should make note of this info, if there on the correct version before the dead line... and they should not sit on their hands you don't know if this promotion will end or carry on longer

 

there is info for Windows 8 and likely 10 on these forums. You may have to hunt for it though. I can remember similar threads only dealing with Windows 8 not 7.

 

@alphanumeric.

Good Job and this information could be a life saver for some...

 

It originally came about when people bought 7 Ultimate keys on e-bay. Did the Add features, then some time latter failed activation when the keys were blocked. Surprise surprise, *really Happened again with Windows 8/8.1 Pro e-bay keys. Some people never learn. *Wink