3 ms·

I always wonder why they never mention how the supposedly free upgrade works. From this article and the linked FAQ I get the impression that I do not qualify fo

by cyxxon 11y ago

I always wonder why they never mention how the supposedly free upgrade works. From this article and the linked FAQ I get the impression that I do not qualify for free Windows 10 forever, but that I can upgrade my Windows 8.1 installations via Windows Upgrade for a year after launch, but that my Windows license is not generally upgraded to a Windows 10 license. I take this to mean that after a year and a day, when I want to reinstall, I cannot use my current key to install some Windows 10 install image, but have to use my Win8.1 image, and since the year for free upgrades has passed, I cannot upgrade that install to Windows 10 anymore. Or are there other infos out about this very typical scenario among IT people?

joshuapants 11y ago
I seem to remember Paul Thurrott saying that the free upgrade window is open for a year, not that your license is only good for a year of use.
- cyxxon 11y ago
  Yes, it seems Thurrott has some info: https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/3898/a-few-more-answers-about-windows-10-upgrades https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/3898/a-few-more-... Basically it seems to be that MS saves the info in the Windows store and lets you reinstall a fresh Windows 10 if you upgraded. If this information is correct.
sudioStudio64 11y ago
The rule of thumb is that if it can activate it can upgrade.
- cyxxon 11y ago
  Yes, but say I upgrade my Win8.1 during the free year. In two years time I want to reinstall. Will there be an option to a. download some Windows 10 installation media so I can do a fresh install, or do I b. always have to first install Win8.1? If it's a, is my Win8.1 license key valid? Did the MS activation server get the memo that I upgraded during the free year? If it is b, will the upgrade from Win8.1 to 10 still be free after the first year, or not? I already upgraded my license once,but do they keep track of this? Can I still activate? Or does it count as a new try to upgrade after the free year?
  - mkr-hn 11y ago
    Windows 8 can be reverted to a freshly installed state from within, so I assume 10 can do that too.
    - talmand 11y ago
      That's not the same thing as starting on a fresh, new, formatted hard drive.

by cyxxon 11y ago

joshuapants 11y ago

I seem to remember Paul Thurrott saying that the free upgrade window is open for a year, not that your license is only good for a year of use.

cyxxon 11y ago
Yes, it seems Thurrott has some info: https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/3898/a-few-more-answers-about-windows-10-upgrades https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/3898/a-few-more-... Basically it seems to be that MS saves the info in the Windows store and lets you reinstall a fresh Windows 10 if you upgraded. If this information is correct.

sudioStudio64 11y ago

The rule of thumb is that if it can activate it can upgrade.

cyxxon 11y ago
Yes, but say I upgrade my Win8.1 during the free year. In two years time I want to reinstall. Will there be an option to a. download some Windows 10 installation media so I can do a fresh install, or do I b. always have to first install Win8.1? If it's a, is my Win8.1 license key valid? Did the MS activation server get the memo that I upgraded during the free year? If it is b, will the upgrade from Win8.1 to 10 still be free after the first year, or not? I already upgraded my license once,but do they keep track of this? Can I still activate? Or does it count as a new try to upgrade after the free year?
- mkr-hn 11y ago
  Windows 8 can be reverted to a freshly installed state from within, so I assume 10 can do that too.
  - talmand 11y ago
    That's not the same thing as starting on a fresh, new, formatted hard drive.