Computer upgrade after 12 months

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  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 8.1
       #1

    Computer upgrade after 12 months


    Hi
    I am currently running Win 8.1 and intend to upgrade to Win 10 later this week. I am in the habit of upgrading my hardware about every 5 years or so. What happens in say 18 months when I get a new cpu and m/b, how do I get Win 10 back again? I only have my Win 8 disk and if I install that again on my new system, the free upgrade time period would have expired by then.

    Thanks for any replies.

    John
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,248
    Windows 10 Pro (Build 19043.1110)
       #2

    johnbla said:
    Hi
    I am currently running Win 8.1 and intend to upgrade to Win 10 later this week. I am in the habit of upgrading my hardware about every 5 years or so. What happens in say 18 months when I get a new cpu and m/b, how do I get Win 10 back again? I only have my Win 8 disk and if I install that again on my new system, the free upgrade time period would have expired by then.

    Thanks for any replies.

    John
    There will be ISO's of Windows 10 available by then, and anyway you can make your own from the downloaded installation files. Your hardware will probably appear changed enough to seem a different computer to the MS activating servers, so you may have to call MS and they will (most likely) give you a key or twiddle some knobs on the server or do something to make it go.

    You might even want to ask this question on the Microsoft Community forums...
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 8.1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks sgage, looks like there is no easy answer. I am sure there are others who will be in the same boat, in fact anyone who upgrades their computer or buys a new one, which is just about all of us.

    John
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,248
    Windows 10 Pro (Build 19043.1110)
       #4

    johnbla said:
    Thanks sgage, looks like there is no easy answer. I am sure there are others who will be in the same boat, in fact anyone who upgrades their computer or buys a new one, which is just about all of us.

    John
    Well, if you buy a new computer, it most likely is going to come with Windows 10 preinstalled, so no problem!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 56,806
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #5

    sgage said:
    Well, if you buy a new computer, it most likely is going to come with Windows 10 preinstalled, so no problem!
    Not necessarily. There is an inventory out there of lots​ of 8 machines. 10 will be advertised as free upgrade, but real 10 installed boxes won't be out for a bit.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 1,248
    Windows 10 Pro (Build 19043.1110)
       #6

    f14tomcat said:
    Not necessarily. There is an inventory out there of lots​ of 8 machines. 10 will be advertised as free upgrade, but real 10 installed boxes won't be out for a bit.
    I thought we were talking 12 months out, when the free update deal expires. Actually, several manufacturers have indicated that they will in fact have boxes running Win10 on Day 1. But in any case, any Win8 box will be a straightforward upgrade - no messing around with changed hardware and such.

    Interestingly, you can still buy Win7 boxes at places like PC Connection and Staples.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #7

    f14tomcat said:
    Not necessarily. There is an inventory out there of lots​ of 8 machines. 10 will be advertised as free upgrade, but real 10 installed boxes won't be out for a bit.
    I didn't look for any fine print, but in their weekly flier today (26 July) Best Buy (large US retailer) lists PCs with 10 pre-installed as for sale on 29 July.

    I wonder what Win10 build will be on the machines.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 460
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #8

    While looking in the Direct TV onscreen program guide last week I saw QVC had an electronics show featuring Dell laptops with W10 installed, this was last Thur. 7-23.

    I went to the channel and watched for a few minutes. They were boasting about being the first to offer computers with Windows 10 for sale. So it has been offered for sale to the public already.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 5,702
    insider build 10586.3 win10 pro 64
       #9

    sgage said:
    Well, if you buy a new computer, it most likely is going to come with Windows 10 preinstalled, so no problem!
    op states what if I buy a new cpu and motherboard ,they are not talking about buying a new computer
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 460
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #10

    Isn't the W10 license going to be whatever the qualifying OS license was? OEM if OS came preinstalled or retail if OS was purchased separately. As long as your W8.1 is retail with an iso there shouldn't be a problem.

    If you upgraded from a retail license you could install as many times as you want on as many different computers as you want as long as it's only one computer at a time. OEM only the computer it came on, new MB, CPU, or HDD/SSD might require a call to activate.

    IMO once you have the W10 iso you'll be fine, you mention replacing an MB and CPU, you'll still have W10 on the HDD/SSD so you're not losing it. And you would have a backup image too so you won't lose it, if you have to reimage you might have to call to activate but you shouldn't lose W10.
      My Computers


 

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