Help - Please UNCONFUSE me -- Licence and keys (Retail upgrade)

Hi there

Upgraded to DIFFERENT machines from activated W8.1 Pro and W7 Ultimate.

Checking versions with SLMGR /DLI I see the Windows partial product Key is the same - *********3V66T on both machines which I believe is the generic one but the PRODUCT ID is actually different on each machine. (View the product ID by looking at SYSTEM in settings or Control panel).





I'm a bit confused then as to what will happen once the activation servers get back to normal and I want do a NEW CLEAN INSTALL.

Presumably this licence key can't really be part of the activation process any more as EVERBODY has the same one !!!! so on a clean install where does it get the licensing info from -- especially say if you reformat your HDD and use the same ISO / USB you created from the Media Creation tool.

It can't be just a Hardware Index since there must be MILLIONS of computers out there with identical hardware.

I've made image copies of both systems just in case a clean install fails activation.

Both systems were updated via Upgrade directly from Ms - not using the media creation tool - from LEGAL activated OS'es (Not OEM) W8.1 Pro and W7 Ultimate.

Anybody got any ideas.

Cheers
jimbo

It produces a unique hardware hash which is kept on the MS servers. It is produced when you "Activate" your upgraded Win 7/8.

Now you can continue to use it or do a clean install. Your upgraded sytem MUST be activated before attempting a clean install

When doing the clean install skip where it asks for a key.

The thing is that what MS have said the win10 update is tied to a device this can now seen to be true what happens if you wish to move your retail licence to another device? I think you can within a year as you can repeat the update cycle, after that I think no as there is no retail win 10 key.

robin0800 said:

The thing is that what MS have said the win10 update is tied to a device this can now seen to be true what happens if you wish to move your retail licence to another device? I think you can within a year as you can repeat the update cycle, after that I think no as there is no retail win 10 key.

From my understanding if the W7/W8 original installation was from a retail version e.g Shop bought or Bought online then Yes.
If it was an OEM or pre-installed version then No.
The only scenario I can envisage is this.
You commence the installation and it does'nt activate so you have to ring the automated number. Now this bit I'm guessing.
Seeing as how there's no "Key" only a generic one you'd be asked to input the original W7/8 retail "Key" and the server would kill the old W10 hardware hash and create a new one. This is only supposition.
Worth a read.
Q. If I purchased my copy of Windows 7 or 8/8.1 as a retail license from either a brick-and-mortar store or an online store, then I upgrade to Windows 10, can I transfer that upgrade to a new computer under the retail licensing?
A. Yes
http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/w...and-who-doesnt

Yes but the win10 update is only available for a year and it is per device What happens after that is most unclear. If updating after a year is no longer free ringing MS won't help.

Hi there

Update :

I've just done a COMPLETE fresh (clean) install on one system where I'd done the upgrade -- seems to be OK still activated with the windows 10 key same as the generic one. I skipped the prompt to enter the key.

Anyway I'll just be grateful I seem to have a load of FREE W10 systems (saves 199 USD a pop LESS TAX !!!) so I can't complain.

Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

Hi there

Update :

I've just done a COMPLETE fresh (clean) install on one system where I'd done the upgrade -- seems to be OK still activated with the windows 10 key same as the generic one. I skipped the prompt to enter the key.

Anyway I'll just be grateful I seem to have a load of FREE W10 systems (saves 199 USD a pop LESS TAX !!!) so I can't complain.

Cheers
jimbo

Hi jimbo, I don't know where all this "key" confusion is coming from. "keys" aren't involved at all. When you activated your upgrade a unique hardware hash or ID of your hardware if you prefer was uploaded to the MS Servers. When you reinstalled it just compared your hardware ID with the one kept on the server saw they matched and activated.

robin0800 said:

Yes but the win10 update is only available for a year and it is per device What happens after that is most unclear. If updating after a year is no longer free ringing MS won't help.

If you do the Windows 10 upgrade in the first 12 months it will be free for the lifetime of that device .