I plan on updating with a new motherboard CPU and more ram. I understand that Microsoft considers this a new computer and my version of Windows 10 won't work. I have an OEM of Windows 7. Can I use the code from Windows 7 to get a working copy of Windows 10 or am I stuck using Windows 7.
After the new upgrade(Anniversary update) whenever it gets to you, or if you are currently using Insider builds, and then link your Microsoft account to your PCs digital license, you can use this tutorial: Activation Troubleshooter - Use in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
Short answer is No. The long answer is Yes.....that is if you upgrade your current windows 7 to 10. Then get the new hardware, then you can clean install windows 10 with your converted 7 to 10 product key. The upgrade from 7 to 10 has to be done first.
I am in the same situation. I'm getting a replacement computer from the manufacturer replaced under warranty on Thursday or Friday. The old computer had an upgrade to Windows 10 Pro on it, the new computer coming will have Windows 10 Home on it. Now since I was on the insider program on the old computer, I supposedly have a digital license for Windows 10 Pro stored on my Microsoft account and supposedly I am supposed to be able to transfer that using the activation troubleshooter to the new computer once I install the Anniversary edition of Windows 10 Pro on it.
That being said, yesterday I did a clean install of Windows 10 Home on a computer that had never had Windows 10 Home activated on it before and I was able to enter a Windows 7 product key and activate it, still, even after July 29th.
So, if I were you, @Tigeromega, this is what I would do. On the new computer, install the version of Windows 10 that matches your Windows 7 product key. It won't be activated. Go to the activation tab under settings, updates & security, change product key. Enter your Windows 7 product key and see if it activates. Do it in the next few days and I expect that it will.
If that doesn't activate it, then update your old computer with the Anniversary update. Make sure you are signed in with a Microsoft account. Make sure under the activation tab that it shows your digital license is linked to your Microsoft account. Then sign in to the new computer with the same Microsoft account. Make sure the new computer is updated with the Anniversary update. From the activation tab on the new computer run the activation troubleshooter and see if lets you transfer the Windows 10 digital license from your Microsoft account.
Oh - I just noticed this is an install of a new motherboard with the rest of the used components, not an entirely new physical computer. So, I would add that I would make sure that you upgrade the old motherboard to Windows 10 Anniversary update first and make sure that the digital license is linked to your Microsoft account before doing anything else.
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