3 ms·

Keep in mind that the free Windows 7 upgrade period lasts for one year only. So if you upgrade your PC after that period and invalidate your license, you won't

by foldor 11y ago

Keep in mind that the free Windows 7 upgrade period lasts for one year only. So if you upgrade your PC after that period and invalidate your license, you won't be able to reinstall Windows 7 and upgrade to Windows 10 again. You may be able to phone Microsoft and explain the situation though.

jo909 11y ago
Exactly, so essentially you do NOT get a Windows 10 Retail licence by doing the upgrade! You have a Windows 7 Retail licence and what could be called a Windows 10 "OEM" licence. The Windows 7 Retail can be installed to completely changed hardware, but the Windows 10 "OEM" is bound to the hardware you made the upgrade on. After the free upgrade period is over, you can't upgrade some parts of your hardware without buying a real Windows 10 Retail for the full price.
- gambiting 11y ago
  Well, if the activation process is the same as with W7, you ring MS, they ask you if the copy is still installed on only one computer, you answer yes and they activate the copy. Works even if you changed the motherboard.
- qrmn 11y ago
  That is incorrect. From the EULA [§4(b)], it is clear that upgrades from retail (stand-alone) versions stay retail - and transferable. No exceptions in there about the one-year qualifying period to upgrade your (now-perpetual) Windows licence: 4. Transfer. The provisions of this section do not apply if you acquired the software as a consumer in Germany or in any of the countries listed on this site (aka.ms/transfer), in which case any transfer of the software to a third party, and the right to use it, must comply with applicable law. a. Software preinstalled on device. If you acquired the software preinstalled on a device (and also if you upgraded from software preinstalled on a device), you may transfer the license to use the software directly to another user, only with the licensed device. The transfer must include the software and, if provided with the device, an authentic Windows label including the product key. Before any permitted transfer, the other party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software. b. Stand-alone software. If you acquired the software as stand-alone software (and also if you upgraded from software you acquired as stand-alone software), you may transfer the software to another device that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software to a device owned by someone else if (i) you are the first licensed user of the software and (ii) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Every time you transfer the software to a new device, you must remove the software from the prior device. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between devices.
- scholia 11y ago
  According to Microsoft, almost all* upgrades are like for like. So, if you started with a retail copy then you end up with the same rights as a retail copy. Presumably this is reflected in the kind of key that's generated, but at worst, it's a phone call.... * Where that's possible. Ultimate becomes Pro so you lose, or Starter becomes Home and you win.
sp332 11y ago
You can still put in your license key during a plain Windows 10 install.
tempestn 11y ago
Right, but you wouldn't want to do that anyway, because you can simply install Windows 10 directly and it will find your existing license online. As the article states, you will then need to call Microsoft to transfer the license to the new hardware in order to activate. (Something you would have had to do even if you'd stuck with Windows 7.)

by foldor 11y ago

jo909 11y ago

Exactly, so essentially you do NOT get a Windows 10 Retail licence by doing the upgrade! You have a Windows 7 Retail licence and what could be called a Windows 10 "OEM" licence. The Windows 7 Retail can be installed to completely changed hardware, but the Windows 10 "OEM" is bound to the hardware you made the upgrade on. After the free upgrade period is over, you can't upgrade some parts of your hardware without buying a real Windows 10 Retail for the full price.

gambiting 11y ago
Well, if the activation process is the same as with W7, you ring MS, they ask you if the copy is still installed on only one computer, you answer yes and they activate the copy. Works even if you changed the motherboard.
qrmn 11y ago
That is incorrect. From the EULA [§4(b)], it is clear that upgrades from retail (stand-alone) versions stay retail - and transferable. No exceptions in there about the one-year qualifying period to upgrade your (now-perpetual) Windows licence: 4. Transfer. The provisions of this section do not apply if you acquired the software as a consumer in Germany or in any of the countries listed on this site (aka.ms/transfer), in which case any transfer of the software to a third party, and the right to use it, must comply with applicable law. a. Software preinstalled on device. If you acquired the software preinstalled on a device (and also if you upgraded from software preinstalled on a device), you may transfer the license to use the software directly to another user, only with the licensed device. The transfer must include the software and, if provided with the device, an authentic Windows label including the product key. Before any permitted transfer, the other party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software. b. Stand-alone software. If you acquired the software as stand-alone software (and also if you upgraded from software you acquired as stand-alone software), you may transfer the software to another device that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software to a device owned by someone else if (i) you are the first licensed user of the software and (ii) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Every time you transfer the software to a new device, you must remove the software from the prior device. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between devices.
scholia 11y ago
According to Microsoft, almost all* upgrades are like for like. So, if you started with a retail copy then you end up with the same rights as a retail copy. Presumably this is reflected in the kind of key that's generated, but at worst, it's a phone call.... * Where that's possible. Ultimate becomes Pro so you lose, or Starter becomes Home and you win.

sp332 11y ago

You can still put in your license key during a plain Windows 10 install.

tempestn 11y ago

Right, but you wouldn't want to do that anyway, because you can simply install Windows 10 directly and it will find your existing license online. As the article states, you will then need to call Microsoft to transfer the license to the new hardware in order to activate. (Something you would have had to do even if you'd stuck with Windows 7.)