Hardware Change And Windows 10 Activation After July 29

Hello everyone,

I have a little question that might be answered before, but I searched in the forums and couldn't it. So sorry if it's already been answered somewhere.

I've upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, from Win 8.1 Pro (retail) at the very first day. Few days after that, I tried clear install and the activation worked fine. Since then everything works OK. Apart from the fact that I can't activate the Windows when I try to use the second bios of my motherboard. It's just not activating for some reason. Never had that problem on Windows 8.1 before.

But anyways, I'm wondering what will happen if I have to make a big hardware change (like changing motherboard or something like that) after July 29?

- Will I be able to activate it using my Windows 8.1 Pro retail key?

If yes; I didn't use that key while upgrading to Windows 10 in the first place, since that option is implemented with the 1511 build. Do I have to use that W8.1 key once, to get it registered or something?

If no; then will I have to call MS Support to get help for activation?

Thanks for the answer already.

The free upgrade to Windows 10 was only for a DEVICE running Windows 7/8/8.1. Change the motherboard after July 29th and you will have to purchase a new Windows 10 for it because you have changed the DEVICE. Microsoft NEVER offered to upgrade your Windows 7/8/8.1 license to WIndows 10 - only the DEVICE running Windows 7/8/8.1.

Windows 10

Qualified Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 devices can upgrade for free.

Windows 10 Specifications - Microsoft

1 Windows 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.

Windows 10 Upgrade Offer is valid for qualified and genuine Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices, including devices you already own.

NavyLCDR said:

The free upgrade to Windows 10 was only for a DEVICE running Windows 7/8/8.1. Change the motherboard after July 29th and you will have to purchase a new Windows 10 for it because you have changed the DEVICE. Microsoft NEVER offered to upgrade your Windows 7/8/8.1 license to WIndows 10 - only the DEVICE running Windows 7/8/8.1.

Windows 10


Windows 10 Specifications - Microsoft

I'm pretty sure they said the "retail" Windows 7/8 licenses will convert into Windows 10 "retail" licenses. So was that a lie?

Here's a direct copy from the license terms:

Stand-alone software. If you acquired the software as stand-alone software (and also if you upgraded from software you acquired as stand-alone software), you may transfer the software to another device that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software to a device owned by someone else if (i) you are the first licensed user of the software and (ii) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Every time you transfer the software to a new device, you must remove the software from the prior device. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between devices.

Have you ever heard the phrase "What's the catch?" Well, the catch is that when you accept a promotional offer you also accept the terms and conditions associated with that promotional offer.

The terms and conditions of the promotion offered by Microsoft would that they would upgrade a DEVICE running a properly licensed and activated Windows 7/8/8.1 to Windows 10 for free. They never offered to upgrade your Windows 7/8/8.1 license to a Windows 10 license for free. In order to use the Windows 10 on the DEVICE that Microosft offered to upgrade to Windows 10 for free, you must agree to your portion of the EULA.

Now, I've read the complaints by some users that Microsoft has "converted their retail Windows license into an OEM license." No, Microsoft did not do that. You are still free to take that Windows 7/8/8.1 and transfer it to another computer just like you always were able to. Accepting Microsoft's promotional offer in no way removed your ability to do that.

Here's another example. I've bought furniture from two different companies in the past year under promotional terms of no interest for X number of months. One company used Wells Fargo financing and another company used TD Bank financing. In order to purchase the furniture on credit, I had to open a revolving credit account with each of those finance companies. The terms and conditions of those revolving credit accounts stated a 25%+ interest rate. So, according to the agreement I signed with those finance companies does that mean I have to pay 25%+ interest on the furniture? NO - and the reason is because the terms and conditions I and the furniture store agreed to for the promotional offer modify the general terms and conditions associated with the revolving credit account.

It's the same way with the promotional upgrade to Windows 10. For the promotion, and for the promotion only, Microsoft never promised to upgrade you Windows 7/8/8.1 license to a Windows 10 license. They only agreed to upgrade the Windows installed on that DEVICE to Windows 10. When you accept their promotional offer, you also accept that limitation.

Now, you contact Microsoft and you point out that paragraph in the EULA that says a license resulting from an upgrade carries the same rights to transfer the upgrade as the original, and provide them with your Retail Windows 7/8/8.1 product key and they will likely send you a Retail Windows 10 product key in return. Does that mean that Microsoft is admitting that you are right and they are wrong? No. It's simply Microsoft admitting that it is cheaper for them to just give you a retail Windows 10 product key then it is for them to pay one lawyer one hour of time to provide an answer to a small claims lawsuit that you might bring against them - even if there is no chance of Microsoft losing the lawsuit.

NavyLCDR said:

It's the same way with the promotional upgrade to Windows 10. For the promotion, and for the promotion only, Microsoft never promised to upgrade you Windows 7/8/8.1 license to a Windows 10 license. They only agreed to upgrade the Windows installed on that DEVICE to Windows 10. When you accept their promotional offer, you also accept that limitation.

Yes, they did. Have you read the license terms?

Also just had a conversation with Microsoft support on the phone, and they confirmed that if I upgraded from retail Windows 8.1 then I can change hardware and call MS support for re-activation. But they didn't have an answer for my first question regarding the activation with Windows 8.1 key.

I just can't understand why they had to do this that complicated. Just make the product connected with an Microsoft account and move on...

supertramp said:

Yes, they did. Have you read the license terms?

I have, and have you read the terms of the promotional offer?

supertramp said:

Also just had a conversation with Microsoft support on the phone, and they confirmed that if I upgraded from retail Windows 8.1 then I can change hardware and call MS support for re-activation.

What Microsoft is willing to do for you in no way means they legally required to do it. I can give the panhandler on the street corner $20 if I want to, but I am not legally required to.

NavyLCDR said:

I have, and have you read the terms of the promotional offer?



What Microsoft is willing to do for you in no way means they legally required to do it. I can give the panhandler on the street corner $20 if I want to, but I am not legally required to.

They also said "yes retail license is converting to retail license" but maybe they know nothing.

ninja edit: Direct quote from MS community moderator:

Full version (Retail):
- Includes transfer rights to another computer.
- Doesn't require a previous qualifying version of Windows.
- Expensive
Upgrade version (Retail):
- Includes transfer rights to another computer.
- require a previous qualifying version of Windows.
- Expensive, but cheaper than full version
OEM :
OEM versions of Windows are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:
- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel
- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on
- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard
- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system


But still doesn't answer my first question and I guess noone knows what will happen.