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#241
If it was retail version of 8.1 and you have the key for it, starting with 10586 W10, you can clean install it using that key. No need to install 8.1 first and than do the upgrade to W10.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Windows 10 Free upgrade
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New #242
Except, CountMike, notice that barry13 was talking about in 2017 after the free upgrade offer is supposed to expire. After the free upgrade expires, it is unlikely that a Windows 8 key will be able to be used to activate a Windows 10 that did not already have a digital entitlement stored on Microsoft servers. If barry13 upgrades the motherboard, there will not be a digital entitlement stored on Microsoft servers for it and unless Microsoft changes something between now and then he will have to call Microsoft and explain to them the situation and see if they will give him an activation - or purchase a Windows 10 key - and that will be the same situation regardless of if he installs Windows 8 first and upgrades in place or attempts to just enter the product key in Windows 10 to activate it.
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New #243
I must have missed that past July 2016 part. I don't know how clear is the question about W7-8.1 license for Retail versions for them. It would be just fair that Retail license for any version, converted from any other retail version should be applicable to any system, any time. Why else would anybody pay premium price for Windows ? That's probably most asked question with no clear answer from MS.
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New #244
I concur, Mike.
If I have a retail copy of Windows 8.1 and upgrade it to Windows 10, I should have a retail copy of Windows 10.
If I build a new computer, remove my Retail Windows 8.1 from the old computer and put it on the new computer, all I have to do is call Microsoft to activate Windows on the new build. Theoretically, the exact same thing should work with Retail Windows 10 that was upgraded from Retail Windows 8.1.
I'm not sure, however, that Microsoft's EULA will allow that to happen. Hopefully someone else will know for sure.
Barry asked:If Barry opts for a brand new computer (that he didn't build), it should already have Windows 10 on it.clarification on this.
say i have upgraded my retail windows 8.1 pro to windows 10 pro. the windows 10 pro in effect is a retail. then come 2017 i upgraded my hardware and i need to clean install windows 10. does that mean i have to install my windows 8.1 first? how do i then upgrade it to windows 10? is there anyway to fresh install directly to windows 10 like saving a bootable disc or usb of a windows 10 copy or downloading a copy and just enter my windows 8.1 license key?
If Barry adds a new motherboard, he'll have to call Microsoft to activate his Retail copy of Windows 10. If he adds a CPU, RAM, hard drive, DVD drive, etc., these shouldn't affect the "footprint" Microsoft has of his system.
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New #245
I moved my XP and W7 quite freely between different computers, actually more or less only MB and CPU changes. I didn't want or could afford multiple Windows computers at same time. It worked well in the past. Hope they don't change policy now, just wouldn't be fair to pay premium price for OS on only one computer with so many and so fast technology changes. Even when you buy a ready made computer, laptop etc. the price of Windows although lower still has to fit within device price, it's still not free to the buyer.
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New #246
There are two different "sides" to this issue. 1. Microsoft only offered to upgrade existing computers running Windows 7/8/8.1 to Windows 10 for free for one year. Microsoft only offered to keep that same computer on Windows 10 for the life of THAT computer, not a new one. That was the terms of the promotional offer, which Microsoft can claim stands by itself, separate from the EULA. The promotional period expires in July 2016 and after it expires Microsoft is under no obligation to upgrade any computers after that for free.
Now, in order to completely cover themselves, Microsoft should have included a distinct EULA for the Windows 10 obtained via the free upgrade - but they didn't. So while Microsoft can claim that the free upgrade is a promotional offer with terms that stand alone regardless of the EULA - the user must agree to the EULA that is included with Windows 10 in order to install it. In that EULA is the condition that a retail license of Windows 7/8/8.1 will upgrade to a retail Windows 10 license (they call it standalone.)
So far users who have brought this condition in the EULA to Microsoft's attention and have provided proof of their Windows 7/8/8.1 retail license have been given a retail Windows 10 product key.
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New #247
That would be good but MS didn't explicitly state one way or other. I bought W8 during cheap upgrade period and 8 upgraded to 8.1 I moved to different MB no questions asked. (emphasis on moved). That grace period went and W8 license was still Retail.
Just would like MS to come clean and say "This is how it's going to be, kiss it or leave it" !! They may be just afraid that there will be more of "leave" it than kisses.
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New #248
They did come out and say "this is how it's going to be". They said they would upgrade computers for free for one year - and keep those same computers activated after the free year. That's all they ever said they would do for free. To me, that just isn't that difficult to comprehend. They never promised to continue to upgrade different computers for free after the year expires. In some case-by-case circumstances they have voluntarily given away free retail product keys.
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New #249
I wasn't talking about upgrades after the cut off date, but about Retail W7 and 8 license converted to W10now and until that date. So upgraded (before cut off date) W10 should keep their Retail license and not to be treated same as much cheaper OEM license. Case-by-case is not going to be substitute for one clear cut sentence as explanation.
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New #250
It's the device that gets upgraded not the Key. That isn't hard to understand.
If you buy a new PC or MB after the year, you could use the retail key, but only for it's original OS(after you deactivated the device it's currently on). Or so I understand. that goes for VM's as well.
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