Window 10 Free Upgrade License Question

I have a few questions relating to the license terms for the Free Windows 10 Upgrade from 7.
1) Does the license require that Window 7 be replaced on the computer with Windows 10? For example, can I create an image of my existing Win 7 system, recover it to a second hard drive and then upgrade that second HD to Win 10? This would permit access to either operating system at a time albeit requiring a switch of drives.
2) Does the license permit a dual boot with the original Win 7 and a clean install of Windows 10?
3) If either of these is allowed by the license terms, are there any issues with activation?
Thanks for any help you can provide.​

If Windows 7 and Windows 10 are on two different physical hard drives, and only one hard drive is physically connected to the computer at a time, I don't think that violates the EULA.

It violates the EULA to dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 10 with only one license. You do not get an extra license for a second Windows with the upgrade.

I don't think you would have any issues with activation if you switched out hard drives.

Thanks very much for clarifying this!
One more question. If I do the traditional Free upgrade to 10 and then later want to do a clean install of 10, I would assume this is both possible and permitted by the EULA right?

tweakit said:

Thanks very much for clarifying this!
One more question. If I do the traditional Free upgrade to 10 and then later want to do a clean install of 10, I would assume this is both possible and permitted by the EULA right?

Yes, when you do the upgrade you get Windows 10 for free for the life of that device.

NavyLCDR said:

If Windows 7 and Windows 10 are on two different physical hard drives, and only one hard drive is physically connected to the computer at a time, I don't think that violates the EULA.

It violates the EULA to dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 10 with only one license. You do not get an extra license for a second Windows with the upgrade.

I don't think you would have any issues with activation if you switched out hard drives.

This is provided you have a retail key and not an OEM key.

whs said:

This is provided you have a retail key and not an OEM key.

What difference would it make?

NavyLCDR said:

Yes, when you do the upgrade you get Windows 10 for free for the life of that device.

So if I do the free upgrade to 10 and two years later, after the free upgrade offer has expired, I can still do a clean install of 10 on the same computer, correct?

Yes.

Windows 10 – Microsoft Windows

5Windows Offer Details

Yes, free! This upgrade offer is for a full version of Windows 10, not a trial. 3GB download required; internet access fees may apply. To take advantage of this free offer, you must upgrade to Windows 10 within one year of availability. Once you upgrade, you have Windows 10 for free on that device.

tweakit said:

my thought is Microsoft would not be happy if I deleted the win 10 installation and restored 7 a few years later, for example by using an image. I don't see that happening, but i'd like to understand that license issues.

Why not? Your Windows 7 license is just as good for that computer as it always was. You just can't use it to install two copies of Windows at the same time.