Windows 10: Windows 10 after free offer ends

Hi
my friend is unsure if he wants Windows 10 or not...he currently has XP. It has passed the Windows 8 compatability test, so will accept Windows 10. If I install Windows 7 pro as a clean install, then upgrade to Windows 10....but after the 30 days, decide to reinstall Windows 7, will Ithen be able to reinstall Windows 10 at some time in the future, without cost. I hope that once windows 10 is installed, that a key is generated for his PC which will allow him to reinstall Windows 10 to the same PC at any time in the future....

Am I correct in these assumptions ???

thank you in advance...

:)

 

windows10

Hi, After the free upgrade offer, Microsoft is providing Windows 10 as a paid product. The free upgrade offer ended on 28th July 2016. However, Microsoft still is providing the free upgrade to users using assistive technologies.

 

Upgrading to Windows 10: Can I revert to Windows 7 & then upgrade back to Windows 10 after the 29th July?

Windows 10 free upgrade offer ends July 29

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20021/windows-10-free-upgrade-offer-ends-7-29

 

Haven't we answered this same question for you many times in the past? Nothing has changed. But here it is again for I don't know how many thousands of times now because it's easier for people to just ask the same question over and over and over again instead of looking it up.

Before July 29th, when a computer is upgraded from Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 to Windows 10 a digital entitlement is created for the computer for that version of Windows 10. The digital entitlement gets saved on Microsoft activation servers. Later installs of Windows 10 will activate by retrieving the digital entitlement from Microsoft activation servers - even after the July 29th deadline, as long as the motherboard is the same and the same version of Windows 10 is installed. Going back to Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 in between Windows 10 installs does not affect the digital entitlement for Windows 10 stored on Microsoft activation servers. Upgrading to Windows 10 does not change anything with the product key for the Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 that it came from either.

It's nice of you to donate an unused retail Windows 7 product key to your friend, because that's the only way to do it legally.

 

thanks for explaining that completely...

I had to ask for a definitive answer, as things change and I wouldn't be loved very much, if at some time in the future reverting to Windows 10 was rejected.....I do lots of upgrades fREE for local residents and friends.....so can't take any risks......thanks again

 

One further question.
scenario 1- I install Windows 7 on a spare hard drive, then upgrade to Windows 10, I then roll back to Windows 7...Do I still own the COA for Windows 7 and can it be installed on the same computer onto a different Hard drive, using the original Windows 7 COA key
scwnario-2 I clean install Windows 10 on a spare Hard drive, using the unused Windows 7 COA key. Later I decide to reinstall Windows 7 onto a different hard drive, same PC, can I still use the Windows 7 COA key or is that now lost

many thanks

I really hope I havnt asked this before, don't want to upset anyone.....

 

Nothing happens to the Windows 7 product key when you use it to upgrade to Windows 10. One product key means 1 installation of Windows is allowed.

You are free to switch back and forth between Windows 7 and Windows 10 as much as you like as long as only one is installed at any time.

Think of the Windows 10 upgrade as just another copy of the Windows 7 that it came from. You can't have it on two computer's at once, you can't have it twice on the same computer, and if you give it away or sell it, you can't keep a copy of it yourself. But you can reinstall it as the only installed copy as many times as you want.

 

thank you, a very detailed explanation.....sorry to flog a dead horse, but had to be sure.....if I mess up my own installation that's one thing, but messing up someone else's is another.
this info isn't easy to find, especially on MS sites, so thanks again...

 

Good info there NavyLCDR.
However the one thing that has always confused me is this. Say I've upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7 Retail. In the past I've upgraded my motherboard three times with that copy of win 7 without a problem. What happens now if I change my motherboard when I'm running Windows 10. Does my Windows 10 have a Retail License or has it been converted to an OEM license which is tied to the mobo?

 

That's a really good question.

NavyLCDR do you know the answer? I'm actually going to be changing my main computer's motherboard in the next month or two, and didn't even think about this.

 

The digital entitlement for the FREE Windows 10 upgrade is for that device (motherboard) only. If you read the free upgrade terms on the webpages where Microsoft advertises the free upgrade you will see that they only offered to upgrade devices already running Windows 7/8/8.1. They did not offer to upgrade the license for Windows 7/8/8.1 to Windows 10 for free, only the device that it was installed on.

New motherboard = new device. You can install your retail license Windows 7/8/8.1 on it. You can also call Microsoft and hope they give you Windows 10 for it - but they never promised to for free after July 29th.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I'll be buying a Windows 10 retail license then *Smile

 

If you read the EULA though it quite clearly says if you had a retail Windows 7 or 8 then you can transfer the resulting upgraded 10.

Based on that I'm fully expecting to be able to transfer my Windows 10 that I upgraded from a retail version of 8. Will have to see of course but it seems pretty clear to me.

 

So it isn't just me, it is confusing *Smile

I agree with what lx07 has just posted but there a lot of other experienced members who think otherwise.

When I finally decide to buy a new mobo and CPU it will be interesting to see what happens, until then I'll just remain confused *Smile

 

When you accept a promotional offer, you accept the terms, conditions and limitations of that promotional offer. The promotional offer was for Microsoft to upgrade existing devices with Windows 7/8/8.1 installed on them to Windows 10. It's like buying a manufacturer refurbished computer - you get a computer in a box sealed from the factory by the manufacturer, you pay less for it, but the terms and conditions of purchasing the refurbished unit state that you only get a 30, 60 or 90 day warranty instead of the full 1 year full retail warranty (for example). If you want something more than was offered in the promotion then you have to obtain it outside the promotional offer.

But, like I also posted, when you upgrade, call Microsoft for activation and see if they will activate it for free for you. You can file a claim against Microsoft using the terms and conditions stated in the EULA as a basis (or threaten to) and Microsoft will probably just give you a full retail product key for Windows 10 because it is cheaper for them to do so than to even participate in arbitration.