Windows 10: Windows 10/7 dual boot question - key

hi guys
I apologize if this is covered elsewhere, I could not find the exact answer to my question.

Both my laptop and desktop have windows 7, different versions. Both have the upgrade ready for them.
I want to dual boot win7 and 10 for a while, likely will fully transition down the road.

My question relates to both PCs:
Can I use my free upgrade to create the dual boot without needing a win 10 key I have to pay for?
The dual boot tutorial suggests the need for a key, so just wanted to see what the answer was before I jump.

thank you.

:)

 

Dual boot upgrade key

The dual boot under one product key question has been asked a few time on this forum. This is the best answer we have at the moment:

Free upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 -- Dual Boot

 

Dual boot for Windows 10

To answer your question as asked: No, you cannot dual-boot with it; unless you already have an unused Windows 7/8.1 license you can setup the dual boot with now and upgrade that license to Windows 10.

 

Short answer is no, if you want to upgrade to W10 you will use one of your Win7 license keys for the upgrade. To continue dual boot or set up dual boot with 7 and 10 you would need to be on the insider program or have a setup I've described in the last sentance.

I've just upgraded my laptop from dual boot W7 and W10, I am on the insider program and wanted to upgrade the laptop to RTM. I'm still dual booting my desktop 7 and 10 because I haven't upgraded to the RTM yet on that device.


The upgrade isn't for a "two for one" setup where you can still use the qualifying OS and upgrade to W10, it's one or the other as far as using the upgrade. To have 7 and 10 on a dual boot setup you would need a license for both, unless you had dual boot with 7 and 8.1, then you'd use one of those OS's to upgrade and still have the other one available.

 

that is what I figured, thank you!