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#1
Want to move to another OS but retain license w/ free upgrade to 10
Hate to come here and ask this. Purpose of this thread is not to trash W10.
I'd like to format and install another OS on my desktop's HDD. What is the best way to keep my activated 8.1x64 Pro COA with free 10 upgrade?
Can I shrink my partition way down and just do a dd copy to another drive? W10 is on a pretty nice 480gb ssd right now so I don't really want to just put that on the shelf and let it collect dust. Is there a way to maintain the keys so I can just do a fresh install and reactivate?
Thanks.
EDIT: I have a fully validated "Retail" 8.1 Pro x64 upgraded to 10.
I moved a similar OS (also full activated Retail 8.1 x64 Pro upgraded to 10) between two identical machines (both were Dell T7500 workstations) and it tripped the activation thing and now even when I put the HDD back in the old machine it still needs activation. I want out of MSFT & W10 right now but I don't want to burn the licenses...