License questions. Converting W8.1 to W10.


  1. Posts : 1,871
    W10 pro x64 20H2 Build 19042.610
       #1

    License questions. Converting W8.1 to W10.


    I have a full retail boxed 'W8.1 Home' pack (NOT an OEM) that includes two DVD's, a 32bit and 64 bit.

    The 64 bit has been in use for 18 months on my main PC, however in order to jump on the W10 bandwagon I installed W10 Pro on this PC by using my old W7 Pro Dell OEM licence.

    With me so far :)

    So that leaves me with a W8.1 license that was last activated on the Dell but is now not in use.

    Questions......

    1/ I'm assuming I can install W10 Home on my second PC (currently running Vista) and do a clean install by using the W8.1 license code. Is that correct.

    I would be using the 32 bit version of W10 on the second PC (its 9yr old and lacks drivers for 64 bit).

    2/ If I do this, do I retain the 'right' to install W10 Home 64 bit at some future point in time and on any PC I wish ? In other words, could I in one or two years time download W10 x64 and install it on a different PC (obviously relinquishing the proposed install on the Vista PC)
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  2. Posts : 14,901
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    You can clean install Windows 10 with a W8.1 code yes, this has been made available by Microsoft from version 10565 and higher.
    I can't answer your other question, because I'm not certain with the license system registry of Windows 10.
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  3. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #3

    Good to know. This will save me some steps on a few new builds.
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  4. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #4

    You have two licenses for Windows. The Dell OEM license stays and dies with the original computer it came on. You can move the retail Windows license from computer to computer as many times as you want, as long as it is on only one computer at a time. After July, 2016, however, any upgrades to Windows 10 on new computers will have to be purchased.

    The same licenses work for either 32 bit or 64 bit.
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  5. Posts : 1,871
    W10 pro x64 20H2 Build 19042.610
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks for the replies folks.

    NavyLCDR said:
    The Dell OEM license stays and dies with the original computer it came on.
    I realise that :), its the bit about what happens in years to come once the W8.1 license has been converted to W10,

    NavyLCDR said:
    You can move the retail Windows license from computer to computer as many times as you want, as long as it is on only one computer at a time. After July, 2016, however, any upgrades to Windows 10 on new computers will have to be purchased.

    The same licenses work for either 32 bit or 64 bit.
    If I keep it as W8.1 then its mine forever, both 32 and 64 bit versions, to use and install on any PC I like (as long as its a single activation at any one time).

    If I use the W8.1 license now to install W10 on the 9 yr old PC and that PC dies after July 2016 what am I left with license wise ? What becomes of my full W8.1 license ?
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  6. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #6

    Mooly said:
    If I use the W8.1 license now to install W10 on the 9 yr old PC and that PC dies after July 2016 what am I left with license wise ? What becomes of my full W8.1 license ?
    You still have use of your Windows 8.1 license for Windows 8.1 just like always. It doesn't die because you upgraded to Windows 10. It just violates the EULA to use it for Windows 8.1 at the same time that you are using a Windows 10 that came from it.

    I have a Windows 7 family pack license. It's one single product key that can be installed on up to three computers at the same time. I'm currently running one Windows 10 upgrade from it and a Windows 7 that I installed after the Windows 10 upgrade. Microsoft does not block the Windows 7/8/8.1 product keys just because they have been used to upgrade to Windows 10.
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  7. Posts : 1,871
    W10 pro x64 20H2 Build 19042.610
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Brilliant, thank you. That's what I wanted to know :)
      My Computer


 

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