Activation switched from "with product key" to "with Digital License"

Yes, for most users its a non issue. It was me noticing that activation switched from "with Product Code" to "with Digital license" on the upgrade that started the whole debate. If I had not been running Education I would never have happened and I would not have picked up on anything out of the ordinary.

In any case I think we can put this one to bed now. Like Wynona said " 1511 is so last week . . ".

I'm going to activate my 1507 install on my test rig and then just let it upgrade to 1607 and be done with it.

Kari said:

However, speaking only about consumer editions Home and Pro (and also Single Language which I have tested, too), a product key activation of version 1511 always gets the digital activation. A fresh clean install of Home, Pro or Single Language directly after activating 1511 automatically gets digital entitlement / license.

Here's a question to get us thinking:

Do you get a digital licence if you use a windows 10 OEM key to initially activate Windows?

I could see that in this case, it would not give a digital licence, as then you would not be able to move Windows 10 to a new PC using the activation troubleshooter (which is not permitted in the EULA of course).

So if anybody has a pc that has either used an oem 10 key (system builder licence), or it came with Windows 10 preinstalled, what does it say in the activation menu now on version 1607?

I upgraded a Windows 7 Home Premium OEM (system builders) install to Windows 10 Home. 10 Home was never activated on that PC prior to this. The new 10 Home install was activated with a digital license. After switching my login to a Microsoft account it said activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account. That test install was done to see if free upgrades were still being allowed. It was done after the 29th of July. It's been wiped by another test install on that PC now though. It's long gone.

cereberus said:

Here's a question to get us thinking:

Do you get a digital licence if you use a windows 10 OEM key to initially activate Windows?

I could see that in this case, it would not give a digital licence, as then you would not be able to move Windows 10 to a new PC using the activation troubleshooter (which is not permitted in the EULA of course).

So if anybody has a pc that has either used an oem 10 key (system builder licence), or it came with Windows 10 preinstalled, what does it say in the activation menu now on version 1607?

Yes, you get a digital license also with OEM installations but that is of course not transferable, applying only to that device.

Wynona said:

1511 is so last week . . .

Uh oh! StarFerret got to my keyboard again!

oh dear, we have a progressive freak!! He is sooooooooooooooooo tomorrow!!

alphanumeric said:

I upgraded a Windows 7 Home Premium OEM (system builders) install to Windows 10 Home. 10 Home was never activated on that PC prior to this. The new 10 Home install was activated with a digital license. After switching my login to a Microsoft account it said activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account. That test install was done to see if free upgrades were still being allowed. It was done after the 29th of July. It's been wiped by another test install on that PC now though. It's long gone.

I was specifically asking about a windows oem 10 key. It is certain any upgrade from 7/8 gives a digital licence.

Have any of you guys actually ever used one and checked what it says on 1607 screen. I was just wondering if there was more to things than we have thought of.

My expectation is it will give a digital licence like using a 10 retail key, but I can see logic as I said for NOT giving a digital licence in that case.

I would just like somebody to just look and say what screen says rather than speculating.

cereberus said:

I was specifically asking about a windows oem 10 key. It is certain any upgrade from 7/8 gives a digital licence.

Have any of you guys actually ever used one and checked what it says on 1607 screen. I was just wondering if there was more to things than we have thought of.

My expectation is it will give a digital licence like using a 10 retail key, but I can see logic as I said for NOT giving a digital licence in that case.

I would just like somebody to just look and say what screen says rather than speculating.

I don't have any devices with OEM embedded Windows 10 keys. It could be long while before I buy a new device that has one. My MSDN keys are all Retail or MAK.

elbmek said:

oh dear, we have a progressive freak!! He is sooooooooooooooooo tomorrow!!

Ummm, that would be, "she is sooooooooooooooo tomorrow!" Thank you very much.

Yes ma'am