Changed my motherboard/CPU, can I upgrade again for Win10 from 8.1?

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  1. Posts : 168
    10 (1909)
       #1

    Changed my motherboard/CPU, can I upgrade again for Win10 from 8.1?


    Hello!

    I upgraded to 10 before, but went back to 8.1 because it sucked way too much.
    Anyway, I'll probably be forced to upgrade again sooner or later. Can I do it for free if I have 8.1 with the same serial (I think) that I used to upgrade before?

    Bonus question:
    What's the most convenient way of keeping the windows 8.1 instance, meanwhile performing an upgrade?
    Is my only choice copying the partition with some software?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #2

    As of right now you can still upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 for free. You will install Windows 8.1 on the new motherboard. Make sure it is activated. You might have to do the phone in activation if your Windows 8.1 product key is blocked from online activation. Then if you want to keep the ability to be sure to go back to Windows 8.1, make an image backup of the Windows partition with a program such as Macrium Reflect Free. That's really the only way to guarantee you can go back and also stay legal - only 1 product key = only 1 Windows installed at a time.

    Then upgrade the Windows 8.1 to Windows 10. The reason installing Windows 10 first and using the Windows 8.1 product key to activate might not work is if the product key is blocked from online activation. Then there would be no way to use phone activation in that situation without going back and installing Windows 8.1. So I would just go with Windows 8.1 first.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
       #3

    FWIW, I upgraded an old PC to Windows 10 just by feeding it the Windows 7 key.

    Deleted all partitions, formatted hard drive as one drive, installed Windows 10 and when it asked for a key, I fed it the one from Windows 7 that was originally on the old PC. It took and activated.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7,724
    3-Win-7Prox64 3-Win10Prox64 3-LinuxMint20.2
       #4

    Hi,
    New motherboard you'll need another key the other is eaten when you changed the motherboard
    I did the same thing it does not reactivate
    This also does not work
    Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First Installation Upgrade Tutorials

    So yeah just clean install 10 and feed it the win-8.1 key as Wynona says (That does indeed work) if you have another but I suppose you can always try the old key just be sure to follow the advice to create a system image of your 8.1 if it activates again that is :)
    I'm updating a win-7 pro at the moment but I'll try as Wynona stated after to see if that way will work :/
    Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect Backup Restore Tutorials
    Last edited by ThrashZone; 07 Oct 2017 at 21:24.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #5

    ThrashZone said:
    Hi,
    New motherboard you'll need another key the other is eaten when you changed the motherboard
    That is absolutely incorrect information. For one thing - directly from Microsoft:
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530

    A new product key is not required.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7,724
    3-Win-7Prox64 3-Win10Prox64 3-LinuxMint20.2
       #6

    Hi,
    Only if it's a full retail and not an oem will it work.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 5,299
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
       #7

    With Windows 10 Threshold 2 update, Microsoft has fulfilled the promise to change the Windows 10 activation process and allowed you to use your Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 product keys for activation directly after clean installation.

    Some Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1product keys can't be used to activate Windows 10, such as product keys for volume licensing, including Generic Volume Licensing Keys (GVLK) and Multiple Activation Keys (MAK), and Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8 Enterprise, and Windows 8.1 Enterprise.


    In order to activate Windows 10 with Windows 7, 8 or Windows 8.1 product key, while clean installing Windows 10 skip the part where you need to enter the Windows 10 key.
    Windows 10 copy will be installed as an evaluation copy and you’ll be allowed to enter the Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 key for activation.

    Windows 10 can be activated from Settings ---> Update & security ---> Activation ---> Change Product Key.
    Here you can enter the product key you obtained from with your Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 PC.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #8

    ThrashZone said:
    Hi,
    Only if it's a full retail and not an oem will it work.
    Again, that is false information.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 168
    10 (1909)
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thanks for the info guys!
    Though the claims are contradicting each other. :)

    ThrashZone said:
    Hi,
    New motherboard you'll need another key the other is eaten when you changed the motherboard
    I did the same thing it does not reactivate
    This also does not work
    Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First Installation Upgrade Tutorials

    So yeah just clean install 10 and feed it the win-8.1 key as Wynona says (That does indeed work) if you have another but I suppose you can always try the old key just be sure to follow the advice to create a system image of your 8.1 if it activates again that is :)
    I'm updating a win-7 pro at the moment but I'll try as Wynona stated after to see if that way will work :/
    Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect Backup Restore Tutorials
    Are you sure, because clean installing is something I definitely don't want.

    ThrashZone said:
    Hi,
    Only if it's a full retail and not an oem will it work.
    Mine is a leftover from MSDNAA. So what does that mean?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 3,453
       #10

    avada said:
    Thanks for the info guys!
    Though the claims are contradicting each other. :)



    Are you sure, because clean installing is something I definitely don't want.



    Mine is a leftover from MSDNAA. So what does that mean?
    As others haves said, backup Win 8.1 then upgrade to Win10 of the same edition - you won't need a key to activate.

    Besides, that MSDN key is retail, and will work on a clean installation of Win 10 as well.

    So you are good to go either way :)
      My Computer


 

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