Several 7/8 Retail Windows Keys not in use, how to upgrade them to 10?

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by sprtfan, Oct 26, 2015.

  1. sprtfan

    sprtfan MDL Novice

    Nov 28, 2012
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    Probably a strange question, but I'm really not 100% sure how activation works on windows 10 yet. I have several full retail keys for windows 7 and 8 that I'm going to use in the future, but may not be until after the free upgrade period is over. These are not OEM so ,from my understanding, they should be able to be moved between different computers just like retail keys could in the past. (as long as it is removed from previous computer).

    I just did a clean install of 10565 but have not activated it yet. Could I just go to setting>update &security>activation and then enter in each of my retail keys? Would that tie the key to my current hardware though? Since they are all retail keys, I should be able to "move" them to the new computer when the time comes right? And when the time does come, how would I activate the new computer? Would I need to enter the old windows 7/8 retail key at that point? Thanks for the help.
     
  2. Enthousiast

    Enthousiast MDL Tester

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  3. xinso

    xinso MDL Guru

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    #3 xinso, Oct 26, 2015
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2015
    Enthousiast is right about it. But I would recommend saving those keys for other old devices while free offer is still valid before 07/29/2016 - unless the device has problem with the free offer.
     
  4. Threat

    Threat Lord of the Files

    Feb 23, 2014
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    The Windows 10 activation is tied to the generated HWID, which must be registered before the offer expires.

    My advice would be to put a spare hard drive in the PC, install Windows with the appropriate licence, activate it and do the upgrade to 10. This will register the HWID on Microsoft servers, allowing you to reinstall later. You can then take this hard drive out and reconnect your existing one with your original OS on and continue to use, and you can then upgrade to Windows 10 on those PC's at your leisure and at any date.
     
  5. Enthousiast

    Enthousiast MDL Tester

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    #5 Enthousiast, Oct 26, 2015
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2015
    Insider Preview 10565 is already capable of accepting all genuine 7 and 8.x keys ;) November 2nd comes the fall update for 10, with that it will also be possible on the non insider preview :)

    @Xinso, i would also hold back those old genuine keys and get a HWID by using either gatherosstate on a daz activated 7 or go thru the "Upgrade to 10 to get a genuine HWID" process ;)

    Edit: @xinso, i've also tested if the genuine slic2.1 key is still valid on a laptop after upgrading to 10 (and reinstalling 7 using the Multi OEM project option) and it was :)
     
  6. xinso

    xinso MDL Guru

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  7. Threat

    Threat Lord of the Files

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    I know, but TH2 is not out yet, and so playing safe. We know 10565 accepts the keys and activates, but is this a permanent activation still or insider member? Because he's talking about production use I recommended an approach based on RTM production builds available.
     
  8. xinso

    xinso MDL Guru

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    #9 xinso, Oct 26, 2015
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2015
    Yeah, I know. I am trying to support you and share what I know. Anybody can tell me to stop, and I will obey.

    (Though I am not an emperor, I still wish to live hundred years, so deleted before I die.)
     
  9. Enthousiast

    Enthousiast MDL Tester

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    There is no argue-ing against that :)
     
  10. xinso

    xinso MDL Guru

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    #12 xinso, Oct 26, 2015
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2015
    Yes, it will be upgraded exactly to the same edition of Winsows 10.

    Tell you what I encountered:

    I got my custom PC activated with Windows 8.1 (with Bing) key while I was creating Windows 8.1 (with Bing) ISO for my Acer Switch 10 laptop.
     
  11. sprtfan

    sprtfan MDL Novice

    Nov 28, 2012
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    Sorry to bring back this old thread. I was getting ready to upgrade a few of the full retail licenses I had but decided to ask Ed Bott on twitter. He said the Windows 10 upgrade license was locked to the computer it is installed on. I can only transfer the windows 7/8 license to new hardware. There is a chance he misunderstood my question and wanted to double check that this is the case? Sucks if true because I want to upgrade a few computers soon but don't have the money to do it before the upgrade window closes.
     
  12. lobo11

    lobo11 TOMAHAWK CHOP

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    #14 lobo11, Jun 16, 2016
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  13. sprtfan

    sprtfan MDL Novice

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    The keys are all pro.
    Just to update, I did get a clarification with a follow question based on what he said before. I asked "10 free upgrade offer is tied to machine, even if previous OS had full retail box license and had transfer rights. Correct?"
    The response I got was "Yes. Of course, you can uninstall 10 from PC A and then move the 7 license to PC B, but the upgrade doesn't go with it.
    At the very least I might as well upgrade the licenses I have to Windows 10. Worse case sounds like that I'd be able to go back to 7/8 if I upgraded the hardware so I'd be out nothing.
     
  14. lobo11

    lobo11 TOMAHAWK CHOP

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    #16 lobo11, Jun 16, 2016
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  15. yousif

    yousif MDL Member

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  16. Flipp3r

    Flipp3r MDL Expert

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    Just perform a clean install of 10 Pro. Where it asks you for a key, just skip it. Once you make it to the desktop you can enter that key.
    The COA says 7 Pro OA - OEM Activated. That means your original oem install used the manufacturers key with certificate to activate so this key hasn't been used (unless you've used it).
     
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  17. yousif

    yousif MDL Member

    Dec 14, 2013
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    Thank you a lot for the feedback. Saying that I can install Windows 10 directly so I don't have to install Windows 7 and upgrade which is really cool. Still I need to do it before July 29 or it doesn't matter?
    I will use the en_windows_10_multiple_editions_version_1511_updated_feb_2016_x64_dvd_8379634.iso to perform the clean install.
     
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  18. lobo11

    lobo11 TOMAHAWK CHOP

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    There's a new build of Windows 10 due out by 15 July, could just upgrade your OS till then.:D
     
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