Windows 10: Windows 10 License with an Upgrades or New Computer

Hello everyone,


Between now and April's end, I plan to either upgrade my existing computer (new graphics card and more ram) or purchase a new one (purchased hardware, built for me).


For my current computer, I did the free upgrade of my copy of Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 years ago, and I'd like to confirm with both of the above options, will I be able to clean install Windows 10 and properly activate it, or would I need to purchase a new copy of Windows 10?


I've seen and heard different answers, but what I've pieced together is that if I simply upgrade a few pieces of hardware, then I may need to call Microsoft but it should still work. If I buy a new system (hardware that's assembled for me), I'd need to buy a new copy of Windows 10.


Can anyone confirm?


Thanks!

:)

 

Windows 10 upgrade license

The interesting question is that: the upgrade takes place before 29 of July. If I upgrade the PC (change the MB), and I transfer the Win 8.1 license to this new PC (cause 8.1 is retail FPP), will I be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free? Or a upgrade license must be bought?

 

Windows 10 upgrade license

Hello guys,

I have 1 license of WIndows 8.1 FPP/retail license. I want to upgrade to WIndows 10, but I one thing is unclear to me.
If I upgrade, will WIndows 10 license be retail or it will "turn" into some sort of OEM license?

I ask this because I upgrade my PC, you know, more memory, replace HDD, and I intend to upgrade the MB and CPU to Kaby Lake platform sometime in the future, (and of course sell the replaced hardware)
This thing is not clearly mentioned anywhere.

Thank you.

 

Windows 10 Hardware change

Technically, a new motherboard constitutes a new computer and if your current copy of Windows 10 was an upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you need to buy a new W10 license. While the process may allow you to activate Windows 10 that was an upgrade, that does not make it legal to do so.

The current free Windows 10 program is only for people who currently have a legal copy of Window 7 or Windows 8.1 installed on their systems. And those upgrade licenses are NOT legally transferable to new computers.

If you purchased a full retail W10 license separately for your current computer and wish to install this W10 on this new computer, you can legally do that as long as you uninstalled it from the old computer.

Windows system builder licensing for personal use

The good new is, once you buy a new Windows 10 license, you can transfer it to a new computer as many times as you like. So this would be a one time purchase.