Forced Download $Windows.~BT folder appeared

pentaxian said:

Simrick, surely if the free upgrade inherits the transfer rights of a retail license then it can be installed after the 28th July 2016 onto a new machine otherwise it is not transferable.

Yes, you would think.... The way he explained it to me is, you must move and install the original qualifying OS first, call in to activate, then upgrade. To be honest, I don't understand why the extra step is needed after the upgrade, (when you transfer to another computer), but that's what he said. Based on what I read in the EULA, it should work even after 28th July 2016. But, of course, I can't get anything else in writing from an MS site - it's not available yet.

I believe my previous post was a bit sloppy - the initial upgrade would have to be done on the original retail key prior to the free offer expiring, otherwise, it requires a key. (Sorry, it was late, and I was tired.)

I have not personally talked to anyone who has specifically upgraded a qualifying retail license yet, to see if they are issued a unique key. If they are, that should confirm it. As of this time, I have only seen/read in this forum of people getting the generic keys upon upgrade. (But of course, I haven't read everything...)

pentaxian said:

Simrick, surely if the free upgrade inherits the transfer rights of a retail license then it can be installed after the 28th July 2016 onto a new machine otherwise it is not transferable.

Well, this was really bugging me, so I tried Answer Desk chat again, and, when I was dissatisfied with that, I phoned Answer Desk.

I spoke to a gal named Ash, and she confirmed, that if I retire my computers in a couple of years, which contain "full retail licenses of W7/W8.x, upgraded free to W10", that I can indeed clean install using a W10 ISO to the new equipment, and activate them with the W7/W8.x full retail license keys. I have a case number which I can refer to if I have any problems in the future. This is based on the MSLT agreement which shows during the upgrade process, specifically, paragraph 4.b.:

b. Stand-alone software. If you acquired the software as stand-alone software (and also if you upgraded from software you acquired as stand-alone software), you may transfer the software to another device that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software to a device owned by someone else if (i) you are the first licensed user of the software and (ii) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Every time you transfer the software to a new device, you must remove the software from the prior device. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between devices.

I just wish they'd put it in writing on their web site somewhere...

EDIT: So, after a callback from MS Store Answer Desk, I am told this is the answer:

When you go to upgrade a qualifying full retail license, you should download the ISO, save it to a flash drive or DVD, and mark it for future reference. The specific ISO downloaded has the activation information in it for that particular qualifying full retail license. When you retire that system, and remove the OS from it, use this ISO to transfer the W10 OS to the new equipment, and it will see that it was an upgrade to an activated system, and there should be no problem with transfer/activation.

Wow - does that sound right?