What happens to those free Windows 10 upgrades after July 29, 2016?

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  1. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #60

    Cbarnhorst said:
    Just to be clear, Windows 10 OEM do use product keys. But they are like OEM keys always have been. They are blocked on Microsoft's servers. The computer you buy with Windows 10 installed does not use digital entitlement. That means that after the drop dead date this summer we will go back to 95% of consumer copies of Windows 10 being product-key self-activated just like in the past. Also, if you purchase Windows 10 from the Windows Store and receive it by electronic software delivery rather than in the mail or over the counter it will be digitally entitled and not product-key activated. See the Microsoft paper at

    Activation in Windows 10 - Windows Help
    Not exactly true. Windows 7 and earlier, OEM-SLP keys are blocked from online activation. Windows 8/8.1 and 10 OEM embedded keys activate online though, just like Retail keys.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 135
    Windows 10 Enterprise (64-bit)
       #61

    alphanumeric said:
    It was brought up on the Microsoft yammer group and the reply was that this behavior was by design. Right now, when Home is installed automatically, you get a digital entitlement via the free upgrade. That's why my laptop had digital entitlement for Home and Pro. I did the free upgrade from 8.1 Pro to 10 Pro. Then decided latter on to do a clean install. That's when I ended up with Home instead of Pro. I had to do a change key and enter the generic Pro key to then upgrade to Pro. If I had waited until after the 29th to do my clean install, that default Home install wouldn't get a digital entitlement and it wouldn't have activated. An even worse scenario is if you buy Home after that date and Pro gets installed due to an OEM key. You are screwed. You can't do a change key because you can't upgrade to Home from Pro. These scenarios are remote but it does happen. The Microsoft Community Forum was flooded with "Microsoft ripped me off" posts when people got Home on a clean install instead of the Pro edition they originally had from the free upgrade.
    @alphanumeric.

    I was aware of that, if you still have that issue " there is a way to get you Pro instead of Home " through a registry modification before the so called upgrade promotion upgrade ends...

    I can get you that information later tonight if you like?

    You just have to do this registry tweak, and do a quick format on current HD and reinstall Window Pro

    I will be happy to assist you alphanumeric later tonight or in the future if you like
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #62

    AcuraTML said:
    @alphanumeric.

    I was aware of that, if you still have that issue " their is a way to get you Pro instead of Home " through a registry modification before the so called upgrade promotion upgrade ends...

    I can get you that information later tonight if you like?

    You just have to do this registry tweak, and do a quick format on current HD and reinstall Window Pro
    All you need to do is add a PID.tx file with the generic Pro key to the sources folder. It's what I do. Pro is installed by default with no key prompt. Replace it with the Home key and 10 Home will be installed. Works with Windows 8 too if you know what key to enter. PID.txt and ei.cfg override embedded key detection.
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  4. Posts : 135
    Windows 10 Enterprise (64-bit)
       #63

    alphanumeric said:
    All you need to do is add a PID.tx file with the generic Pro key to the sources folder. it's what I do. pro is installed by default with no key prompt. replace it with the home key and 10 Home will be installed. Works with Windows 8 too if you know what key to enter.
    Or even more simple in a clean install so your head is 100% clear, inside your registry and push a new clean install and you will get your pro or whatever choice you wish
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  5. Posts : 490
    Windows 10 Pro
       #64

    What is the registry key?
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  6. Posts : 135
    Windows 10 Enterprise (64-bit)
       #65

    Cbarnhorst said:
    What is the registry key?
    My mistake a registry modification that will assign what your choice is within the registry modification

    I just don't have the time at this time to get you started, but I will later tonight or when your available.

    But a clean re-install will be required
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #66

    AcuraTML said:
    Or even more simple in a clean install so your head is 100% clear, inside your registry and push a new clean install and you will get your pro or whatever choice you wish
    That is on a clean install. The PID.txt tells setup to install Pro instead of Home. I've been doing it since Windows 7. For Windows 8/8.1 I enter my MSDN key that was originally used on said PC. I have a custom install thumb drive for each PC I own. I also add an $OEM$ folder with the OEM branding for the system page etc.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #67

    AcuraTML said:
    My mistake a registry modification that will assign what your choice is within the registry modification

    I just don't have the time at this time to get you started, but I will later tonight or when your available.

    But a clean re-install will be required
    Are you referring to the downgrade trick to go from Pro to Home? Something like this, http://www.unawave.de/installation/d...n.html?lang=EN
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 135
    Windows 10 Enterprise (64-bit)
       #68

    alphanumeric said:
    That is on a clean install. The PID.txt tells setup to install Pro instead of Home. I've been doing it since Windows 7. For Windows 8/8.1 I enter my MSDN key that was originally used on said PC. I have a custom install thumb drive for each PC I own. I also add an $OEM$ folder with the OEM branding for the system page etc.
    @alphanumeric.

    Its all good their are many other ways I just wanted your issue resolved and I offered you a solation to get your system from Home to Pro
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 135
    Windows 10 Enterprise (64-bit)
       #69

    alphanumeric said:
    Are you referring to the downgrade trick to go from Pro to Home? Something like this, http://www.unawave.de/installation/d...n.html?lang=EN
    Yes Sir!

    And that information will help many folks and should make note of this info, if there on the correct version before the dead line... and they should not sit on their hands you don't know if this promotion will end or carry on longer
      My Computer


 

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