The Clean Install Question. Reading Between The Lines.

alphanumeric said:

Showkey ,Showkey - Windows 10 Forums

Windows 7 OEM SLP installs do not activate online, Windows 10 will. What's to stop anyone from using that OEM key to install Windows 10 on any PC? Windows 8 PC's with embedded keys each have a unique key all their own. Windows 7 OEM PC's don't.

EDIT: I'm thinking its going to ask for the key on the COA sticker. That will be a unique key for that PC.

Huh? Windows 10 would automatically detect the SLP in SLIC, the user doesn't have to type it in, so what stops anyone from using the OEM key is that it's not in BIOS for anyone.

alphanumeric said:

You lost me with that reply? Windows 7 PC's do not have a product code in the BIOS. The SLIC table does not contain a product code, its also not locked to a specific version. It's just coded Dell Windows 7, or HP Windows 7. The custom OEM install media determines what version of Windows 7 is installed. Just reading the SLIC table will not tell you what version of Windows 7 is installed, just that its authorized for an OEM install of Windows 7.

I misspoke. What I meant was that the upgrade would see the SLP key that was used to install the previous version of Windows and, combined with the SLIC table for that vendor, give you the equivalent activated version of Windows 10.

If you are installing clean, then you would use the COA key when Installing Windows 10, or in WIndows 8, it would get the key from the BIOS. All major Windows 7 OEM hardware shipped with 2 sets of keys, the SLP key and the COA key. Either could be used for activation (either auto-activation or phone activation).

alphanumeric said:

My Windows 7 install that I listed above is an OEM install. Just checked my laptop, Windows 8.1 Core (embedded key) upgraded to Windows 10074 > 10122 > 10130. The listed "Installed key" does not match the one listed as "Original key".

I asked you before, what tool are you using that lists "Original Key" and "Installed Key"?

orlbuckeye said:

Yes but you would have to do the upgrate first either throught the update or with ISO. The will give you a new key and WIndows 10 will be reactivated. Then you dl the ISO for the clean install and provide the new key.

Thanks. The 'can I clean install' was really the opening question in all this... the way the licensing might work is an interesting discussion.

Mystere said:

I believe this is widely mis-reported and misunderstood. I don't think there will be new keys. You will simply be using your existing Windows 7 or Windows 8.x key with Windows 10. If you do an upgrade of Windows 10 today from Windows 7 Home, and then use the key finder, it returns your Windows 7 key, and I believe that is exactly how it will work after RTM.

Thinking of specifics (that apply to me :)), what might happen in this case.


Situation 1. My main PC runs a paid for W8.1. Lets say I upgrade, format and clean install. The license issue is handled in whatever way Microsoft decide. After doing all this I decide 10 isn't for me at the moment and I want to go back to 8.1

I'm assuming in this the first case that there should be no issue. My 'reinstall' of 8.1 would simply be reinstating a disk image that was already licensed and so the original license would still work with no action needed.


Situation 2. As above, however this time I decide I really like W10 and so I intend to now fully install my copy of W8.1 on a different PC and to use the main PC's original Dell OEM W7 disc to bring it up to W10 qualifying status. That would give me (legally) a W7 to W10 'OEM' upgrade and then a clean install on the main PC, and the option of either using 8.1 or going down the 8.1>10 route on the second PC.

Any unforeseen issues in all that.

Mooly said:

Thanks. The 'can I clean install' was really the opening question in all this... the way the licensing might work is an interesting discussion.



Thinking of specifics (that apply to me :)), what might happen in this case.


Situation 1. My main PC runs a paid for W8.1. Lets say I upgrade, format and clean install. The license issue is handled in whatever way Microsoft decide. After doing all this I decide 10 isn't for me at the moment and I want to go back to 8.1

I'm assuming in this the first case that there should be no issue. My 'reinstall' of 8.1 would simply be reinstating a disk image that was already licensed and so the original license would still work with no action needed.


Situation 2. As above, however this time I decide I really like W10 and so I intend to now fully install my copy of W8.1 on a different PC and to use the main PC's original Dell OEM W7 disc to bring it up to W10 qualifying status. That would give me (legally) a W7 to W10 'OEM' upgrade and then a clean install on the main PC, and the option of either using 8.1 or going down the 8.1>10 route on the second PC.

Any unforeseen issues in all that.

Situation 1 :

The only problem you may have is with the reinstallation of Windows 8.1, considering they have not yet told us how they are using the license keys. If they convert them to Win10 only, you will face an issue. Otherwise 8.1 is still supported until 2024? i beleive.

Situation 2:

So long as you install Windows 7 before the upgrade or reservation, then I would like to say you should have no issues. So long as the PC meets the requirements for Windows 10