Multiple Keys associated with MS Account?

imacken · 14 Jan 2017

Thanks again for your time in replying.
I think we should forget about this discussion, as we seem to be at cross purposes.
You have taken what I said out of context. I know how the activation has worked over the years - particularly in relation to re-installing and changing hardware, but that was/is not my point.
My point is that I believed that the rules have changed in Anniversary regarding changing hardware and licensing activation. I was wrongly under the impression that MS had changed the rules to link a key to a MSA account rather than hardware. I was clearly wrong!
I was saying in my previous post, that I would like to see MS adopt a similar approach as many other developers, i.e. attach the key to the user MSA and allow one install on one key. So, for example, one would de-activate on one device and re-activate the key on a new device linked via the user's MSA and registered key. Inputting a key would relate to a user and not hardware.
But, that is not important as my opinion has no bearing on MS's activation policy, and I only mentioned it in passing!
I repeat what I said in my previous post, I am interested in your statement 'I can transfer a license from a device listed on my Microsoft Account'. That seems to suggest what I was thinking in the first place! How is that done exactly? Other posts here suggest that devices can be deleted from the account and it makes no difference.

alphanumeric · 14 Jan 2017

What if you have more than one user on a device? Who's Microsoft ID do you tie it to? If said user passes away, does the DL go with them to their grave?

I like the way it is. Tie the DL to the device. Product keys are being phased out somewhat but are still relevant. The linking is just an added mechanism to aid in activation issues. It can be used to transfer your License but IMHO, that's not what it was originally conceived for. It's to aid in recovering activation after a major hardware change. Replacement of a failed motherboard for instance.
I have multiple Digital Licences for each of my PC's. Home, Pro, and Education. As far as I know, the linking is only ever going to let me easily transfer one of them to another PC. The currently installed OS on that PC that is listed for that device under my Microsoft Account. That's my best guess. I have no interest in trying it to see if I can do it, and screw up my current DL's.

Also keep in mind, if your current install was done via an OEM embedded key (they now get a DL) it's technically not transferable anyway, not to a new PC, not in my opinion. I imagine people are going to try though.
And also keep in mind, once you transfer to the new PC, you have to remove the old install from the other PC. It's a "transfer" of the DL.

alphanumeric · 14 Jan 2017

Forgot to mention one big important fact about product keys. Anybody that did the free upgrade, or the upgrade to the Anniversary Update for that matter; and got a DL. They now have a generic key. Everybody running Home with a DL has the same key, and everybody with Pro has the same generic key. My Education installs that were each activated with a different retail key, now all have the same generic key and a DL after upgrading to the AU. Those keys are only ever good for entering on a PC that already has a DL. If it doesn't have a DL on the activation server it will not activate with those keys. The key you enter has to match your DL too. If your DL is for Home and you enter the Pro key, it won't activate.

imacken · 14 Jan 2017

alphanumeric said:

What if you have more than one user on a device? Who's Microsoft ID do you tie it to? If said user passes away, does the DL go with them to their grave?

I take your point, but that issue exists with a multitude of software. I guess it would be linked to the initial installer. In any case, if you're in the grave, I doubt if you will be worrying too much about your W10 licence!

alphanumeric said:

I like the way it is. Tie the DL to the device. Product keys are being phased out somewhat but are still relevant. The linking is just an added mechanism to aid in activation issues. It can be used to transfer your License but IMHO, that's not what it was originally conceived for. It's to aid in recovering activation after a major hardware change. Replacement of a failed motherboard for instance.
I have multiple Digital Licences for each of my PC's. Home, Pro, and Education. As far as I know, the linking is only ever going to let me easily transfer one of them to another PC. The currently installed OS on that PC that is listed for that device under my Microsoft Account. That's my best guess. I have no interest in trying it to see if I can do it, and screw up my current DL's.

Fair enough, it's all a matter of opinion. Personally, as someone who changes bits of hardware very often in the past, I've never liked the linkage to hardware. If I pay £120 for a Windows licence, I would like to use it on whatever my PC happens to be at any one time, rather than having to waste that cash and go and buy another each time I change my PC. But, as I say, it's all a matter of opinion!

alphanumeric · 14 Jan 2017

I do quite a lot of installs at times, different OS on a device. Enterprise some times etc. I get a lot of deadwood as far as devices listed under my Microsoft account. Every once in a while I go in and delete a bunch of devices. It has no bearing or affect on activation. I can also activate with a local account if I want. It's tied to the hardware not me.

alphanumeric · 14 Jan 2017

imacken said:

I take your point, but that issue exists with a multitude of software. I guess it would be linked to the initial installer. In any case, if you're in the grave, I doubt if you will be worrying too much about your W10 licence!

My wife might care if the laptop I share with her becomes unactivated.

Along with the 3 other PC's in the house.

imacken said:

Fair enough, it's all a matter of opinion. Personally, as someone who changes bits of hardware very often in the past, I've never liked the linkage to hardware. If I pay £120 for a Windows licence, I would like to use it on whatever my PC happens to be at any one time, rather than having to waste that cash and go and buy another each time I change my PC. But, as I say, it's all a matter of opinion!

That should be doable with a Full Retail purchase, even with a DL activation. I have no problem with those types of moves. And please don't get me wrong or think I'm accusing you of any wrong doing. I just think there are instances where this feature shouldn't be used or abused. Like moving the free upgrade from PC to PC to PC. I'm not saying that's what your doing, just that some will try.

NavyLCDR · 14 Jan 2017

imacken said:

I repeat what I said in my previous post, I am interested in your statement 'I can transfer a license from a device listed on my Microsoft Account'. That seems to suggest what I was thinking in the first place! How is that done exactly? Other posts here suggest that devices can be deleted from the account and it makes no difference.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...troubleshooter

Read the last link on the website above, "You recently made a significant hardware change".

and

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530

imacken · 14 Jan 2017

Thanks to you both for your help and patience!