New
#11
OK my last comment on this LOL!!
"The free Windows 10 license works very differently from previous Windows licensing systems. These all required a product key. Even modern Windows 8 and 8.1 PCs — and new PCs that come with Windows 10 — have a Windows product key embedded in their UEFI firmware. If you buy a new copy of Windows 10 — for example, to install it on a PC you’re building yourself — you’ll also have a product key.
In this case, the product key would always serve to activate Windows. But Microsoft hasn’t been handing out Windows 10 product keys to upgraders. There’s no way to find your Windows 10 product key if you’ve upgraded for free — you just don’t have one."
Also: "Embedded in your PC’s UEFI firmware: Many newer PCs that come with Windows 8 or later use a new method. The key for the version of Windows the PC comes with is stored in the computer’s UEFI firmware or BIOS. You don’t even need to know it — assuming you’re installing the same edition of Windows the PC came with, it should automatically activate and work without you needing to enter a key. It’ll all happen automatically."
Regarding the OP's question, it seems he may still be able to use his original Win10. When reinstalling, he has to skip past all references to registration or activation and the install will proceed. When completed he'll have to phone MS and explain that this isn't a new computer with a second install but his one and only. Then he should be OK. Allegedly. MS are still very coy about all this. LOL.
Have you notice the OP is using a Windows 10 Technical Preview, so what license is there for a Technical Preview ?
May I ask why some are assuming he`s talking about Windows 10 ?
If he`s running the TP, he doesn`t even have a license for 10 so........
I`m under the assumption he`s talking about a license for 7, 8 or 8.1 as he does not mention, and yes I know he`s using Tenforms.
I've been on the Insider program fast track for many months now. Originally were were all given a temporay activation key but a month or so ago all these were deleted by MS and our Win10 preview copies became activation via the MS Account login. This is compulsory for Insiders but retail consumers can opt out of the MS account requirement if they insist. But I wouldn't recommend it.
Exactly.
The only time I know of when an OS auto activated to a certain manufacturer`s pc is when you used the oem disc that came with the PC, I beleieve XP did it, Vista, maybe 7.
8 is when they started putting the key in the bios, whether they gave you a disc I don`t know, I would never buy a Windows 8 or 8.1 machine, not no way, not no how.
Attachment 35000