Frequently Asked Questions about the Windows 10 Free upgrade

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  1. Posts : 12
    Win 8, Win 10, Android 4.4
       #11

    Mystere said:
    Do I have to "forfeit" or "give up" or "lose" my existing Windows 7/8/8.1 License/Key to upgrade to Windows 10?


    This does *NOT* mean that you can no longer use Windows 7/8.1. It means you cannot use both Windows 7/8/8.1 and Windows 10 at the same time. It's a single license for *ONE* instance of Windows.
    How does this work? If I have a valid Windows 8 backed up / ghosted and reinstall, it will have It's own license. Say I install another copy of that Win 8 for upgrade. After I upgrade to 8,1 then to Win 10 will the Win 10 setup detect that I'm running that copy of Win 8 and refuse to install? Whats to stop anyone from doing that?

    Unless such a dual boot won't install because it checks the bios against all keys ( which I'm sure it does Not do because the 8 to 8.1 upgrade doesn't do it..) there is no way for Microsoft to know what I'm doing with my own hardware and software anyway. Just my opinion and I'm sure those license restrictions were meant more for companies using tons of copies of windows than regular users.

    Still if such a dual boot install does work folks, I suggest you simply don't tell Microsoft about it..not that they would care to go after one or two such offenders. They would get too much bad publicity and it would cost too much money for what..silliness.

    Lets say that dual boot scheme will not work/install - that's for the Upgrade...nothing stopping me from dual booting with any version of Windows and a retail copy of Win 10.
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  2. Posts : 3,257
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #12

    Win Droid said:
    How does this work? If I have a valid Windows 8 backed up / ghosted and reinstall, it will have It's own license. Say I install another copy of that Win 8 for upgrade. After I upgrade to 8,1 then to Win 10 will the Win 10 setup detect that I'm running that copy of Win 8 and refuse to install? Whats to stop anyone from doing that?
    We're talking about the license here. Not what may be possible technically. When we talk about licenses, we're talking about the legal aspect.

    We're not going to tell you how to violate your license, or whether it's possible to do it. You will have to do that on your own.
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  3. Posts : 12
    Win 8, Win 10, Android 4.4
       #13

    Mystere said:
    We're talking about the license here. Not what may be possible technically. When we talk about licenses, we're talking about the legal aspect.

    We're not going to tell you how to violate your license, or whether it's possible to do it. You will have to do that on your own.
    Thats just my point..I think Microsoft is shooting themselves in the foot by thus enabling people to do something that's untoward their license. Microsoft should instead find a way to lock the install scheme down so no one can do what we know is possible... you see they are creating policies they simply cannot enforce.
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  4. Posts : 27,162
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #14

    Mystere,
    Thanks for the write up:). I've bookmarked it, so when someone has one of those questions, all I have to do is post the link. You've explained it better than I can.
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  5. Posts : 3,257
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #15

    Win Droid said:
    Thats just my point..I think Microsoft is shooting themselves in the foot by thus enabling people to do something that's untoward their license. Microsoft should instead find a way to lock the install scheme down so no one can do what we know is possible... you see they are creating policies they simply cannot enforce.
    It's been this way for 30 years. They're not going to change it now. It's never "shot them in the foot" before.

    There are too many legitimate reasons for them to NOT do this.
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  6. Posts : 1,937
    win 10 Insider
       #16

    Well done Mystere and David and Bunny.
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  7. Posts : 1,557
    W10 32 bit, XUbuntu 18.xx 64 bit
       #17

    I am not talking about testing windows 10. I am talking about rtm release.

    So is this allowed?

    Upgrade to windows 10.

    Restore image or reinstall 7 same version


    Sample setup

    Windows 7 partition 1
    Windows 10 RTM partition 2

    You would only be using one at a time.


    I read it is not easy to do by the way.
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  8. Posts : 3,257
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #18

    groze said:
    I am not talking about testing windows 10. I am talking about rtm release.

    So is this allowed?
    READ THE FIRST POST, this is covered there.
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  9. Posts : 12
    Win 8, Win 10, Android 4.4
       #19

    Mystere said:
    It's been this way for 30 years. They're not going to change it now. It's never "shot them in the foot" before.

    There are too many legitimate reasons for them to NOT do this.
    What the heck are you referring to? They ARE doing this and have been for 30 years..Dude..Microsoft hasn't had any OS in place for 30 years that was used by ANY significant number of people. Windows 95 (which most folks used) was released in 94. That's only 20 years past. Get your facts straight. The previous Os's was just MS struggling for 10 years before they even made a blip on the minds of the general populace. Son, I'm 50 years old and remember Microsoft when they first came out. I have owned Dos 5.0 dos 6.22 and started my windows journey with Windows 3.1. I seriously doubt You could say the same.

    You Just proved my point young one.. Microsoft Needs to change. You know..you could have just left my last comment as is and not go further, but since you had to expound, I had to also.

    O.k. so..What ARE according to YOU The 'Legitimate reasons why they would never do this'..(which they have done)?? if you don't understand the question, ask again. I'll be more than happy to explain it to you.

    Oh yeah it's shot them in the foot..remember Linux..how no one thought they COULD EVER compete with Windows..(perhaps you don't..perhaps you are too young) and yet they now have Android..the MOST popular system today which is Based on LINUX, beating Microsoft and Apple. Now MS is terrified of Dual Booting with Android (But it's NOT illegal).. because they are running scared because The OS is Open Source. I see tons of similarities in Windows 8 to 8.1 to Win 10 where they borrowed ideas from Linux. Todays Win 10 is almost in looks and function as a Linux clone meant to attract Linux users..- if you don't believe me, just use any modern Linux distro.

    The FACT is IF Microsoft changed it's way of doing things long ago we would have a unique system that is user friendly (Open Source) and have the better system too.

    This whole upgrade to Win 10 scheme is Only to detour those who would switch to Linux and to a lesser degree the way Inferior Apple OS's. MS cannot pretend it's anything other.
    Last edited by Win Droid; 23 Jun 2015 at 21:40.
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  10. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #20

    What you can do and what is legal to do are very different things.

    You can cheat and steal from MS by violating the TOU but it's neither legal nor moral.

    Edit: Hopefully at some point the dual use of the key will be detected and one will be shut off. It would be fun to watch people bi*ch about that in the forums :)
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