W10 re-installation for a machine that was upgraded from W81 to W10

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 10
       #1

    W10 re-installation for a machine that was upgraded from W81 to W10


    I have a Linx 8 tablet that originally came with Windows 8.1.

    I then upgraded to Windows 10 via the free update route during the year that it was offered.

    However, the OS has become corrupted and the only thing that I have to be able to restore is the original Windows 8.1 factory image.

    So my question is, now that the free Windows 10 upgrade period has ended, is it possible to re-install the original factory Windows 8.1 image and upgrade to Windows 10?

    I'm guessing that Microsoft somewhere has a record of the tablet being upgraded to Windows 10 but how they would verify my particular tablet I don't know.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #2

    If your upgraded Windows 10 installation was authenticated with a digital entitlement then you can just clean install Windows 10 without needing a licence key. You should find the PC is authenticated by the time you check (provided you have an internet connection). See the excellent guide at https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1...n-install.html
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 30
    win 10
       #3

    Bizzare ! - downloaded win 10 64 bit - which didn't ask for a key - but then asked If I wanted to install win 8.1 or win 10 - went for win 10 - installed and windows is activated.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 633
    Win 10 Pro x64 1607 (Build 14393.953)
       #4

    I missed the free upgrade from Windows 8.1 but managed to install and activate Windows 10 in VMware Fusion 8.1. I simply used my Windows 8 OEM key to activate Windows 10!

    I now have two VM's with Windows 10 (5011 & 1607)!

    Can I - now that Windows 10 (5011 & 1607) relases are activated, upgrade my Windows 8.1 SSD with the 1607 anniversary Windows 10 ISO?

    Thanks in advance for the help/directions!

    Cheers
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 633
    Win 10 Pro x64 1607 (Build 14393.953)
       #5

    Anyone please?

    Cheers
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #6

    I think the VM and actual W10 installations need their own licence. It's confusing what license state you now have. You could just try the upgrade and hope it activates like it did originally. At worst you might need to call MS and sort out the activation if it doesn't work.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 633
    Win 10 Pro x64 1607 (Build 14393.953)
       #7

    W10 re-installation for a machine that was upgraded from W81 to W10


    Thank you @steveC for your info's. I'll make a fresh backup then and just go along with the update! Fingers crossed ;-)

    Cheers
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #8

    M4v3r1ck said:
    I missed the free upgrade from Windows 8.1 but managed to install and activate Windows 10 in VMware Fusion 8.1. I simply used my Windows 8 OEM key to activate Windows 10!

    I now have two VM's with Windows 10 (5011 & 1607)!

    Can I - now that Windows 10 (5011 & 1607) relases are activated, upgrade my Windows 8.1 SSD with the 1607 anniversary Windows 10 ISO?

    Thanks in advance for the help/directions!

    Cheers
    What you have done here is not legal and eventually MS will block your old key.

    You are only permitted one upgrade per original key.

    As we are not permitted to discuss how to contravene EULA, then the only advice we can give you is to buy a new licence unless you delete the VMs and try to use old key on host pc.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 633
    Win 10 Pro x64 1607 (Build 14393.953)
       #9

    cereberus said:
    What you have done here is not legal and eventually MS will block your old key.
    Of course I don't have ANY intension to contravene EULA or any other legal thingy!

    You are only permitted one upgrade per original key.
    It was my understanding that once you have WIndows 10 installed and activated, you are alowed to clean install/upgrade your Win 8.1 install.

    As we are not permitted to discuss how to contravene EULA, then the only advice we can give you is to buy a new licence unless you delete the VMs and try to use old key on host pc.
    Wow, so my action got me in a bad situation, so I'll revert the installs in the VM's and try to first activate my upgraded Win 8.1 install.

    Thanks for your directions and also the warning, I appreciate that!

    Cheers
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 25
    Windows 10
       #10

    Windows 10 free upgrade offer still works.

    Windows 10 free upgrade is still available using Windows 7 and 8 keys - Windows 10 Forums

    OPTION 1:

    Install and activate Windows 7/8.x and then upgrade to Windows 10.

    Windows 10 - Upgrade Installation - Windows 10 Forums

    3. Do the step below depending on how you want to upgrade to Windows 10.

    •step 4: To Upgrade to Windows 10 using Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant
    •step 5: To Upgrade to Windows 10 using Media Creation Tool
    •step 6: To Upgrade to Windows 10 with an ISO file
    •step 7: To Upgrade to Windows 10 with USB Installation Media
    Note that Windows 10 upgrade installation does not accept Windows 7/8.x product key, so you need to select the option I'm reinstalling Windows 10 on this PC (see screenshot below). Windows 10 will automatically activate online after the installation is complete.

    W10 re-installation for a machine that was upgraded from W81 to W10-windows-10-setup-1.png

    OPTION 2:

    If Windows 7/8.x product key has not been used on another computer, then you can directly clean install Windows 10 using your Windows 7/8.x product key. When you clean install, Windows 10 setup will accept Windows 7/8.x product key (see screenshot below). Windows 10 will automatically activate online after the installation is complete.

    Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums

    W10 re-installation for a machine that was upgraded from W81 to W10-windows-10-setup-2.png

    Here is information if you reinstall Windows 10 in future.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...-10-activation

    Activating after reinstalling Windows 10

    How you activate Windows 10 after reinstalling it depends on how Windows 10 was originally installed on your device.

    If you activated a free upgrade to Windows 10 or bought and activated Windows 10 from the Windows Store, you have a digital license for your device. This means you can reinstall the same edition of Windows 10 that your device has a digital license for without entering a product key. During reinstallation, if you’re asked to enter a product key, you can skip this step. Windows 10 will automatically activate online after the installation is complete.

    Activating Windows 10 after a hardware configuration change

    If you made a significant hardware change to your device (such as replacing the motherboard) Windows 10 might no longer be activated. If you're running Windows 10 (Version 1607) and added your Microsoft account and linked it to the digital license on your device, you can use the Activation troubleshooter to reactivate Windows. For more info, see Using the Activation troubleshooter.
    Last edited by Feather; 10 Sep 2016 at 16:12.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 16:54.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums