Where if my Product Key if I want to re-install?

meebers · 10 Jun 2016

NavyLCDR said:

Yes the same applies. There was nothing in the insider program that promised the person would obtain a free, transferrable license for Windows 10 for participating in the program.

Yes that is true, but what I got from the OP original post was that he was trying to repair his insider "activated" version. There was no mention of a regular W10 licensed activated version. Would be great if he could clarify some more.

tengeezer · 10 Jun 2016

NavyLCDR said:

That is correct. If you read the terms of the free upgrade promotional offer, Microsoft only offered to upgrade DEVICES running Windows 7/8/8.1 for free.

NavyLCDR said:

Yes the same applies. There was nothing in the insider program that promised the person would obtain a free, transferrable license for Windows 10 for participating in the program.

Thanks for the clarification peeps.

tengeezer · 10 Jun 2016

meebers said:

Yes that is true, but what I got from the OP original post was that he was trying to repair his insider "activated" version.

Not repair, but just re-install. I am clear on this issue now.

Basically, if I want to re-install Win10 (I have an activated insider license), I can do, and it will re-install fine. I just can't transfer the license to a different computer.

If however, I change some key components, such as a motherboard, MS treats this as a new computer. If I phone them informing that I've upgraded my PC, they might sort me out, at their discretion, although they don't have to.

Fair enough.

tengeezer · 10 Jun 2016

Just to clarify - if I had a bought a retail version of Win10, e.g. on usb, I would be allowed to remove and then transfer the license to a different computer, correct?

NavyLCDR · 10 Jun 2016

tengeezer said:

Just to clarify - if I had a bought a retail version of Win10, e.g. on usb, I would be allowed to remove and then transfer the license to a different computer, correct?

Yes.

davidhk · 10 Jun 2016

tengeezer said:

Just to clarify - if I had a bought a retail version of Win10, e.g. on usb, I would be allowed to remove and then transfer the license to a different computer, correct?

If you remove ( uninstall ) it from computer A, you are free to use the key to install Win 10 to computer B.

Rule : one key , one install.

tengeezer · 10 Jun 2016

davidhk said:

If you remove ( uninstall ) it from computer A, you are free to use the key to install Win 10 to computer B.

I notice your usage of the word "uninstall". Does this mean I MUST uninstall in order to remove the license? Or can I simply format my harddrive on computer A. And install Win10 on computer B.

I.e. does a format of a drive remove the license?

bobkn · 10 Jun 2016

tengeezer said:

I notice your usage of the word "uninstall". Does this mean I MUST uninstall in order to remove the license? Or can I simply format my harddrive on computer A. And install Win10 on computer B.

I.e. does a format of a drive remove the license?

There is no explicit de-activation of Windows on the old machine.

You may have to activate the installation on the new PC by telephone.

I don't know whether there would be any consequences if you connected the old machine to the internet while continuing to use the original license on it. In the old (Windows XP) days, you could get away with it, but I doubt that Microsoft still allows that to stand.

Superfly · 10 Jun 2016

Basically, it boils down to... if you registered as an Insider before the deadline - you have digital entitlement - thus installing any version of the same edition subsequently, is cool - using an Insider account or not.

Subsequent to the deadline an activated 10240 with a Win 7/8 genuine licence is required for digital entitlement.

tengeezer · 10 Jun 2016

Thanks, but it still doesn't answer my question:

Does a format of a drive remove the license?