Windows Insiders will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 RTM for free

Wynona · 13 May 2015

f14tomcat said:

Here's a slight twist to this whole thing...

Originally I bought my Dell with 7 Home Premium, so the license was "embedded" and would auto-activate if I re-install from Dell DVD.

Then, I did an "Anytime Upgrade" to Ultimate (download), and got a separate key for that.

Last time I clean installed 7, I had to first install Home Premium, let it activate, then do Anytime Upgrade and manually enter it's key.

All was fine.

If I go RTM booted under Ultimate key, do I keep the Home premium key? Since I own both.
If not, I'll be giving MS two paid-for keys to get one!

Time will tell........ Maybe I'll ask Gabe! Nah.......

Tomcat, if we do an upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or 8.x, it essentially kills the license to the prior OS (unless you decide to give up 10 and go back to the old license).

The same thing happened when you upgraded Windows 7 Home Premium to Ultimate; you essentially killed off your license to Home Premium.

So, no, you can't keep the Home Premium key.Sorry.

Gary · 13 May 2015

Wynona said:

I have seen talk about the "key" but I have never been asked for it. Doesn't mean it's not available to a particular segment of testers, but it ain't required for me. Also, I'm not thinking a key would be produced for RTM so far in the future. :)

Gary, the Insider Hub is just jam packed with information. Would you point us to where (1) you found the info on upgrading and (2) not every build showing up on WU is an Insider build?

I would really like to verify both parts of your statement because it would make life a lot simpler for all of us if we know something is a fact and not just rumor.

I know, I looked but I cannot find it. I will continue looking though. I did not need the key either. I believe that is because I had an MS Account.

Wynona · 13 May 2015

Gary said:

I know, I looked but I cannot find it. I will continue looking though. I did not need the key either. I believe that is because I had an MS Account.

Hmmm, you could be right about the MS account . . .

Anybody here been required to enter a key in order to test Windows 10? And, if so, are you booting with a local acount?

alphanumeric · 13 May 2015

Wynona said:

Ummm, Alpha, if they have Windows 7 or 8.x, they'll get a free copy anyway. :)

Yeah, I know. My comment was more aimed at those that don't have a legal copy. Or have a PC with no OS. Or those thinking about signing up but haven't done it yet. If you have an old PC running XP or Vista you don't qualify for the free upgrade. If you want to find out if that PC can run Windows 10, now's the time to try it and find out. Better doing a free trial than having to buy it and find out its not going to work on your hardware.

Gary · 13 May 2015

Wynona said:

Hmmm, you could be right about the MS account . . .

Anybody here been required to enter a key in order to test Windows 10? And, if so, are you booting with a local acount?

No I do not.

Gary · 13 May 2015

Gary said:

I know, I looked but I cannot find it. I will continue looking though. I did not need the key either. I believe that is because I had an MS Account.

I found it and posted it and saw that it already had been posted,

Wynona · 13 May 2015

Gary said:

I found it and posted it and saw that it already had been posted,

Where?

Gary · 13 May 2015

Wynona said:

Where?

Here but it is gone now

silv55 · 13 May 2015

Gary said:

I know, I looked but I cannot find it. I will continue looking though. I did not need the key either. I believe that is because I had an MS Account.

ttps://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder-faq/

alphanumeric · 13 May 2015

f14tomcat said:

Here's a slight twist to this whole thing...

Originally I bought my Dell with 7 Home Premium, so the license was "embedded" and would auto-activate if I re-install from Dell DVD.

Then, I did an "Anytime Upgrade" to Ultimate (download), and got a separate key for that.

Last time I clean installed 7, I had to first install Home Premium, let it activate, then do Anytime Upgrade and manually enter it's key.

All was fine.

If I go RTM booted under Ultimate key, do I keep the Home premium key? Since I own both.
If not, I'll be giving MS two paid-for keys to get one!

Time will tell........ Maybe I'll ask Gabe! Nah.......

They can't stop you from going back to 7 Home Premium on that PC. You'll never lose that license as long as you have the custom OEM install media for that PC. The factory OEM activation is against the SLIC table in the BIOS. It does not activate online. There is OEM activation info in the SLIC table but no product code is stored there. Not for Windows 7. Your factory OEM product code is a OEM master code used on multiple PC's from that manufacturer for that version of Windows. All Dell PC with OEM Windows 7 Home Premium from the factory use the same Product code. Microsoft can't block it. The product code on your COA sticker is for installing with regular off of the shelf Windows 7 install media.

The Ultimate key does activate online so they could revoke it if they wanted. They could make you give it up. I don't know if they will but they could.