Win10 Redstone and Redstone 1 License Key?

win10freak · 12 Oct 2016

I am still running Win10 Pro (November Update 1511), and I am waiting for Redstone 1 (stable release) to roll out. I think its planned in January of 2017, I am not sure.

Anyways, I did a clean install of Win10 Pro version 1511 using by license key for that version from the Media Creation Tool.

My question is, can I use the same license key from my copy of Win10 Pro (1511) for the next major release of Win10 which will be Redstone or Redstone1 using the Media Creation Tool (clean install)?

And of course, I will be always doing a clean install and not an in place upgrade when Redstone rolls out.

Thanks

cereberus · 12 Oct 2016

RS1 was released on August 2nd!

You use the same key if required.

alphanumeric · 12 Oct 2016

If you did the free upgrade, and your licensed with a Digital License, your key is a generic key. One you don't need for a reinstall. All you have to do is install the same version you have now, Home or Pro, and do a skip key when asked for a key. The PC will then activate with the Digital License stored on the activation server. You can enter the key, but you don't have to. The Digital License is not build specific, just version specific.

CountMike · 15 Oct 2016

That's Rs2 that's planned for 1Q 2017 release.

Cbarnhorst · 15 Oct 2016

If you upgrade (start Setup from your present desktop) you will not be asked for a product key. If you do a clean installation (start the computer with the installation media) you will be asked for a product key but do not need one. Simply click the link at the bottom of the page that says "I don't have a product key." Your computer is already a registered Windows 10 device and Windows will activate the first time it connects to the internet.

win10freak · 24 Oct 2016

Suppose I want to upgrade to RS1 or RS2 by clean installing it using the Media Creation Tool, can I use my same License key as I did for my Win10 Pro 1511?

That's all I am asking.

I ALWAYS do clean installs to play it safe and to avoid any issues. Clean installs are just the way I go instead of doing in-place upgrades.

CountMike · 24 Oct 2016

win10freak said:

Suppose I want to upgrade to RS1 or RS2 by clean installing it using the Media Creation Tool, can I use my same License key as I did for my Win10 Pro 1511?

That's all I am asking.

I ALWAYS do clean installs to play it safe and to avoid any issues. Clean installs are just the way I go instead of doing in-place upgrades.

Yes and you don't even need to enter that license key.

alphanumeric · 24 Oct 2016

win10freak said:

Suppose I want to upgrade to RS1 or RS2 by clean installing it using the Media Creation Tool, can I use my same License key as I did for my Win10 Pro 1511?

That's all I am asking.

I ALWAYS do clean installs to play it safe and to avoid any issues. Clean installs are just the way I go instead of doing in-place upgrades.

Yes. If your currently activated with a Digital license you can skip entering a key if you want though. You can also enter a key if you want. I enter the generic Pro key via a PID.txt file to force a Pro install and override the embedded key detection.

Cbarnhorst · 24 Oct 2016

win10freak said:

Suppose I want to upgrade to RS1 or RS2 by clean installing it using the Media Creation Tool, can I use my same License key as I did for my Win10 Pro 1511?

That's all I am asking.

I ALWAYS do clean installs to play it safe and to avoid any issues. Clean installs are just the way I go instead of doing in-place upgrades.

And all I am saying is DO NOT enter a product key during a clean install. You will be asked for one but click the link at the bottom of the page instead. The computer is already a registered Windows 10 device and that is all that is needed for activation.

alphanumeric · 24 Oct 2016

Cbarnhorst said:

And all I am saying is DO NOT enter a product key during a clean install. You will be asked for one but click the link at the bottom of the page instead. The computer is already a registered Windows 10 device and that is all that is needed for activation.

It's not a given that every PC is activated with a DL by the way. If it is currently activated with a Product key, you will have to enter a key to activate it on a clean install.