New
#61
It has gotten a lot more interesting since MS started insisting that the product key be embedded into the motherboard itself back in 2012 or so:
Windows 8 moves to BIOS-based product keys - CNET
Funny thing is that I have Win8.1 Technet licenses that are good for activating ten computers! Between the mobo having product keys and product keys having multiple activations, it is getting hard to tell what to do these days! Me, I am going to buy a Retail Win10 Pro disk with an actual honest to God product key on it just to make sure I am covered. This "free upgrade" smells a little off to me although it has worked on the 4 computers that I have either upgraded or help to upgrade.
With regards to this thread, I have something to add. See my latest reply on here
HOW do I transfer windows (retail license) after upgrading to Windows - Windows 10 Forums
For the average user perhaps but consider PC tech enthusiasts and gamers who may need to reinsall Windows regularly and on different hardware. I see no way this new system is going to make life easier for them. I far preferred the Windows 8 promotion where they offered the OS at a discounted price and gave you a product key.
I have a strange one! I successfully upgraded from win 8.1 pro to win 10 pro and it activated without a problem. Then I decided to re-install win 8.1 pro on a different drive as I have the installation media. I had no problems activating that with my win 8.1 key. Now I have a dual boot with 10 and 8.1 and both are activated! So, I would say to the OP to go ahead and upgrade cause it seems you can still use win 8.1 if you have the installation media and your win 8.1 key.