Stupid Question Regarding Redundant Windows 10 Licenses

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  1. Posts : 1,778
    Windows 10 Pro,
       #1

    Stupid Question Regarding Redundant Windows 10 Licenses


    Hello All,
    My question is probably very stupid but I will pose it anyway. My current PC is a home built PC that I made in Feb. 2015. At the time that I made my computer I purchased a copy of Windows 8 (not 8.1) Home Edition, which I immediately upgraded to 8.1 and then to Windows 10 preview. (I was on Windows 10 Preview before the end of Feb. 2015.)

    About 2 months ago (April, 2016) I decided that I really wanted Windows 10 Pro (for no particular reason) so I purchased a whole new license for Windows 10 Pro. Because my computer was already activated for Windows 10, I had to call Microsoft and they had to assist me in installing the new copy of Windows on my PC.

    Short story made long, what happened to my previous license? Is it still good and can I transfer it to a different PC? I am now using my new license for Windows 10 Pro but did I lose the right to use the original license for Windows 8?

    Any opinions would really be appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Rocky Bennett
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,257
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    Did you buy the Pro upgrade? Or did you buy a full retail copy of pro?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 13,898
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #3

    Rocky said:
    Hello All,
    My question is probably very stupid but I will pose it anyway. My current PC is a home built PC that I made in Feb. 2015. At the time that I made my computer I purchased a copy of Windows 8 (not 8.1) Home Edition, which I immediately upgraded to 8.1 and then to Windows 10 preview. (I was on Windows 10 Preview before the end of Feb. 2015.)

    About 2 months ago (April, 2016) I decided that I really wanted Windows 10 Pro (for no particular reason) so I purchased a whole new license for Windows 10 Pro. Because my computer was already activated for Windows 10, I had to call Microsoft and they had to assist me in installing the new copy of Windows on my PC.

    Short story made long, what happened to my previous license? Is it still good and can I transfer it to a different PC? I am now using my new license for Windows 10 Pro but did I lose the right to use the original license for Windows 8?

    Any opinions would really be appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Rocky Bennett
    It's my experience that if the Win8 was a Retail version [have the disc] and only installed the one time it can be installed on a REPLACEMENT computer. You'd have to go through the same steps as originally done, update to Win8.1 then go for the free Upgrade for Win10. But it has to be done soon, before July 28 or 29 to get it free, 1 year after the full release of Win10 in late July 2015. Upgrading to the Technical Preview [or now called Insider Preview] tied it to the computer which is why you needed a new license.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 1,778
    Windows 10 Pro,
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I purchased a full retail copy of Windows 10 Pro, that is why I had to have Microsoft help me to activate it.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3,257
    Windows 10 Pro
       #5

    Well, if your old license was a retail copy (not OEM) then you can indeed transfer it to another computer. Your Windows 10 license is stand-alone, so it does not apply to the old license.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3,453
       #6

    Why did MS have to help with retail Win 10? They should have told you there was no need to install Win 10 retail on that PC - it already had Win 8 and therefore digital entitlement

    Your original Win 8 licence remains good.

    Edit: Ooops. my bad - I note it was Home to Pro upgrade...either way changing the key would upgrade it.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 15,442
    Windows10
       #7

    Berton said:
    It's my experience that if the Win8 was a Retail version [have the disc] and only installed the one time it can be installed on a REPLACEMENT computer. You'd have to go through the same steps as originally done, update to Win8.1 then go for the free Upgrade for Win10. But it has to be done soon, before July 28 or 29 to get it free, 1 year after the full release of Win10 in late July 2015. Upgrading to the Technical Preview [or now called Insider Preview] tied it to the computer which is why you needed a new license.

    To use old 8 licence on a another pc, all you need to do is clean install windows 10 home and activate using 8 key. No need to install 8, get all updates, upgrade to 8.1 and then on to 10 i.e. 3 installs in effect.

    Sometimes it complains old key is in use, so you need to install 8 on new pc, and telephone activate it. Several ways you can install without having to reinstall 10 e.g.

    1) create dual boot pc (virtual hard drive is a good way)

    2) use a spare hard drive, temporarily removing windows 10 hard drive

    3) install on external usb drive using UEFI boot manager, Windows To Go Creator, All-in-One Microsoft Windows Setup software - The EasyUEFI Development Team

    Then once activated, you can use 8 key on the windows 10 install.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 15,442
    Windows10
       #8

    Rocky said:
    I purchased a full retail copy of Windows 10 Pro, that is why I had to have Microsoft help me to activate it.
    If you had 10 home, then you go to activation menu, click on "go to store", and under buy 10 pro button, you click on link "I have a 10 pro key", and enter your key to upgrade to PRO. No need to call MS.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,778
    Windows 10 Pro,
    Thread Starter
       #9

    cereberus said:
    If you had 10 home, then you go to activation menu, click on "go to store", and under buy 10 pro button, you click on link "I have a 10 pro key", and enter your key to upgrade to PRO. No need to call MS.


    I tried that but it did not work because I purchased a full retail copy of Windows 10 Pro, not an upgrade. Even with Microsoft's assistance, it still took a clean install and three Microsoft employees to figure it out. By the end I was on a party line with several people from 2 different countries and 3 different departments.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #10

    Rocky said:
    Hello All,
    My question is probably very stupid but I will pose it anyway. My current PC is a home built PC that I made in Feb. 2015. At the time that I made my computer I purchased a copy of Windows 8 (not 8.1) Home Edition, which I immediately upgraded to 8.1 and then to Windows 10 preview. (I was on Windows 10 Preview before the end of Feb. 2015.)

    About 2 months ago (April, 2016) I decided that I really wanted Windows 10 Pro (for no particular reason) so I purchased a whole new license for Windows 10 Pro. Because my computer was already activated for Windows 10, I had to call Microsoft and they had to assist me in installing the new copy of Windows on my PC.

    Short story made long, what happened to my previous license? Is it still good and can I transfer it to a different PC? I am now using my new license for Windows 10 Pro but did I lose the right to use the original license for Windows 8?

    Any opinions would really be appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Rocky Bennett
    Home built machine + Win8 purchased + Win10 Purchased

    Both Windows licenses are separate and valid FPP licenses, as far a I can tell from your description.
      My Computer


 

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