No, they have not said that, not even close. They've said you will need a valid license, and that your license will be upgraded. They have not even said if they are going to issue new keys. I personally think you will install your Windows 10 using your 7 or 8.x key, and no new key will be issued (though this is just a guess).
After reading the twitter conversation it is even more confusing. I am glad I am not the only one that sees it that way.
Gabriel Aul on Twitter:
The way I see it, they are talking about two different scenarios, First one is for insiders: " Naturally, Microsoft couldn't leave its most devoted "Windows Insiders" hanging, as Microsoft's Gabe Aul has confirmed that those participating and running a technical preview of Windows 10 will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 RTM for free."
To update from W7 and 8.1 for free, you don't have to be insider anyway. Even non insiders will be able to. Why assume that all insiders did or had to have any valid previous windows ? If one is insider why could not some come from Mac or Linux and wanted to try W 10. It was never a requirement to have valid windows to become insider. As the matter of fact you didn't even have to be insider or log in with MS to use W10.
This is just my logic speaking, what will happen we'll see July 29th and if MS will come up and say : "Thank you for being an insider, for testing and commenting on our new OS, helping us make it great and we are giving you this gift of free license for W10 and live happily ever after".
Eventually fat lady will have to sing on this issue. It ain't over, til it's over, etc.
It would also be nice if insider program is kept alive longer, I would do it in a flash and keep testing whatever new comes along.
I think it all boils down to did you clean install the preview or do an upgrade. Those that did a clean install "will need a valid Windows 7/8.x license" to get a fully activated RTM. Those that did an upgrade from Windows 7 or 8.1 will not as the original key for those OS will be stored in the registry. If I run showkey on my Windows 10 desktop it shows the original Windows 7 key and the current Windows 10 key that's in use.
I could swear I read that it will continue? Have a look at this, http://www.winbeta.org/news/windows-...ond-windows-10
alphanumeric,
Your point is right on the money, the proof has to be there you are holding valid windows 7 or 8 key, to enter the world of wins 10, otherwise bootleggers will have a field day.
@alphanumeric
Once you upgrade windows version to another windows version it consumes that key. That what I meant by giving up.
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