Windows 10: Will update Win7>Win10 deactivate second Win7 drive in a Dual boot?

Here's the situation. I have a 17" laptop with two Win 7 drives set up with dual boot. One is a 128gb SSD with all my work software. (AutoCad, Rhino, etc) The other is a new 256 SSD with only the Win7 OS installed. Both use the same laptop Product key.

I would like to update the new 256 SSD to Win 10 and over time transition my software to that drive. However, while I'm doing that, I'll need the other Win7 system drive to work with.

My question is, If I update the 256 SSD to Windows 10, doesn't that activation use my current Win 7 key to register? And if so, does the activated Win 10 deactivate or invalidate my Windows 7 OS Key on the other drive?

:)

 

WIN10 /WIN7 Dual boot, WIN7 forced to upgrade to win10, now I can only boot to Primary WIN10 drive

I have a WIN10 install on a 256 SSD (DRIVE 2)

and had a win7 install on a 1tb WD Black HD (DRIVE 5)

My primary boot was WIN10 (D2) and always had the option of picking wich drive to boot to on start up.

I was recently forced to upgrade my WIN7 (D5) to WIN 10. It completed the update and I was using the opperating system on my 1 tb HD and it was working fine. Then I shut off the computer and came back about 4 days later and I couldnt boot to my second
win10 install. (there may have been an update to the win10 before I shut it down)

I went into boot up options and selected the 2nd win10(win7) Drive 5 as primary boot and it reverted back to the original win 10(drive 2) boot.

What is the best way to have a dual boot win10 system and how can I change my boot up options so that I can continue to choose the boot up drive?

WIthout a doubt the upgrade Win7 drive is still there and can be used, but there must be a boot settings that is preventing it from being accessed.

If i am not allowed to have a dual boot WIN10/Win10 machine, can I revert back to WIN7 on the upgraded drive?

Also, original WIN10 install was from a win8 upgrade, 2nd one is from a win7 upgrade, both fully registered versions of WINdows.

Much apprecaited

 

Is there any way to install Win7 after Win10 for dual boot?

Original Title: Dual boot Win7 second too Win10

Hi,

Is there any way to install Win7 after Win10 for dual boot?

I don't want to reinstall in order to do it. If i have to reinstall, my laptop will not see Win10 again.

Regards Jonas

 

Nobody seems to want to answer you mate as what you are doing is not legal.

Now then on a practical level I don't think you will have any problems because of the fact that you can reinstall your original OS with your original product key anytime you like, however I have not tested this.

 

Not necessarily. I have a family 3-pack Windows 7 license which allows me to run Windows 7 on three separate devices with the same Product Key.

Unless the Product Key is specifically for a volume license, your current arrangement is a violation of the license agreement and illegal.

To answer your question - Windows 10 uses the current Windows 7 license in the upgrade process to generate a valid Installation ID. The Windows 7 product key remains valid - but is illegal to use to run both the Windows 7 and the resulting Windows 10 from upgrading at the same time.

 

In my experience this will work - after all it is the same machine. Not strictly legal though!

 

In the EULA:

Each partition is considered to be a separate device, even though the separate partitions are in the same computer. Each "device" (which includes partitions) requires it's own separate license to operate Windows from. Also notice that virtual machines are considered separate devices as well.

 

EULA's are not laws. If a section of an EULA is unreasonable in the eyes of a court, it doesn't stand. Microsoft's interpretation of "device" may not be a reasonable interpretation of "device". Most people would understand a device to be the complete system - I.E. a single desktop computer.

What Microsoft has put forth as their preferred interpretation of device is up for question, I think.

 

Too bad you have to voluntarily accept the EULA and agree to abide by it's terms when you install windows or log onto a brand new computer for the first time. So---maybe illegal is the wrong word, it is a breach of contract on the user's part because they did not abide by the terms they voluntarily agreed to.

 

I'm sure it will be OK.

 

HAHAHA. ROFL. I saw your previous posts. ;-).

And yes, he will be OK, but it still violates the EULA although I don't imagine the Microsoft SWAT team breaking in his door - cyber or real.

 

Accepting EULAs is what it is. Microsoft previously already said that they would give like-for-like licenses for Windows 10. I accepted the Windows 10 upgrade offer under those provisions, and now I have a Windows 10 license and right to use Windows 10 professional.

The retail Windows 7 EULA states:

a. One Copy per Computer. You may install one copy of the software on one computer. That computer is the “licensed computer.”
b. Licensed Computer. You may use the software on up to two processors on the licensed computer at one time. Unless otherwise provided in these license terms, you may not use the software on any other computer.
c. Number of Users. Unless otherwise provided in these license terms, only one user may use the software at a time.
d. Alternative Versions. The software may include more than one version, such as 32-bit and 64-bit. You may install and use only one version at one time.

Therefore, the like-for-like license upgrade offer for Windows 10 includes my right to use my license on "one computer" - with no limits on how many license-compatible instances of Windows I can have installed on that one computer. As far as I'm concerned, Microsoft's new narrowing of the definition of a device does not take away from anyone who has upgraded from a retail copy of Windows 7. The agreement of the Windows 7 license is still their right to exercise by their will.


The Win 7 EULA also says:

e. Storage. You may store one copy of the software on a storage device, such as a network server. You may use that copy to install the software on any other computer to which a license has been assigned.

That one storage copy of the software is my Windows 7 installation, which wouldn't be in use if I ever were using Windows 10, just like I wouldn't be using Windows 10 if ever I were using Windows 7 - it would become a storage copy for the duration the system is booted into Windows 7.

 

I don't think the OP is so interested in getting into the weeds with legalities or the EULA. He simply wants to know (given his circumstances) if WIn7 will remained activated on his separate partition. My guess is that it will remain activated, especially considering both are installed on the same computer. But the other issue is activation after a certain number of installs. I've done that legitimately several times over the years (changing out hard drive, etc). The worst problem I ever had (if you want to call it that) was the need to call into the automated MS number and go through a bunch of prompts to get the key activated again. And I agree, I don't imagine the Microsoft SWAT team will go breaking down his door in this type of scenario. They've got much bigger things to keep on their radar, such as people mass distributing/pirating the software.

 

Hehe yep npz he will be OK

 

Indeed I'm busy looking for BIE.