Question about generic key and RTM and after 29th.

Generic key to install Windows 10 RTM

There are often times when you need to install Windows 10 evaluation or testing in a virtual machine like VirtualBox for example. You may not want to activate it every time with your licensed product key that you use on a real machine. For that purpose, you can use generic keys for Windows 10 available from Microsoft, which will allow you to install the OS, but won't allow you to activate it. As long as you have an ISO image or any other bootable media containing Windows Setup files you can install the OS using a generic key

so if I was eligible for a free upgrade and used this generic key, provided by MS, how do I get a valid key after 29th, since I was qualified?

You don't. You only get a product key if you buy a copy.

You HAVE to upgrade a copy of Windows 7 or 8.x to get the free upgrade. You only have to do this once, but you have to do it from an already installed copy (although that also includes upgrading to a TP previously). If you performed an upgrade install in the past, you are already "converted" to be recognized as a valid Windows 10.

Mystere said:

You don't. You only get a product key if you buy a copy.

You HAVE to upgrade a copy of Windows 7 or 8.x to get the free upgrade. You only have to do this once, but you have to do it from an already installed copy (although that also includes upgrading to a TP previously). If you performed an upgrade install in the past, you are already "converted" to be recognized as a valid Windows 10.

right... I had a valid windows 7 key. I used a generic key provided by MS to install the RTM. how do I validate after the 29th?

Vizionblind said:

right... I had a valid windows 7 key. I used a generic key provided by MS to install the RTM. how do I validate after the 29th?

If you've never performed an upgrade from a previous version, then you will have to install that version and do an upgrade. You must upgrade at least once (how many times do I have to say this?). After that, you can clean install, and no key will be necessary.