Windows 7 Upgrading to Windows 10 Questions

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Sgt_Strider

Gawd
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So if I upgrade to Windows 10 using my Windows 7 serial number, is that key locked to my custom built PC for life? Is this confirmed to be the case? So if change the CPU and mobo to the new Intel Skylake platform in the future, will I have to buy a new Windows 10 license? It makes no sense to me that should be the case because I bought my Windows 7 software from a retail store rather than buying a computer with Windows 7 pre-installed.
 
I believe Microsoft's official stance is that your retail key will convert to an OEM key since the "free" upgrade is an optional deal. They feel if you want to retain retail key status, then you should pay for a retail copy of Windows 10.

Now that may be the official stance, but I've seen a couple instances of mainboard and cpu swaps that went ok without triggering any activation errors. BUt that's not a guaranteed outcome for every system and Microsoft could very well change that behavior at any point without real warning.
 
Sgt_Strider said:
So if I upgrade to Windows 10 using my Windows 7 serial number, is that key locked to my custom built PC for life? Is this confirmed to be the case? So if change the CPU and mobo to the new Intel Skylake platform in the future, will I have to buy a new Windows 10 license? It makes no sense to me that should be the case because I bought my Windows 7 software from a retail store rather than buying a computer with Windows 7 pre-installed.
Click to expand...

You will be fine, just use the Windows 7 key during the Windows 10 clean install process. Of course, you must not be using it on the old machine. I had no issues installing Windows 8.1 Pro and then reinstalling the Windows 10 upgrade back in September and that was with the Windows 8.1 Pro upgrade key I bought in October, 2012 for $40.

Oh, and I bought a Z170 board with 6700k in September and the installation is going strong.
 
Gman1979 said:
I believe Microsoft's official stance is that your retail key will convert to an OEM key since the "free" upgrade is an optional deal. They feel if you want to retain retail key status, then you should pay for a retail copy of Windows 10.

Now that may be the official stance, but I've seen a couple instances of mainboard and cpu swaps that went ok without triggering any activation errors. BUt that's not a guaranteed outcome for every system and Microsoft could very well change that behavior at any point without real warning.
Click to expand...

Have this been confirmed on this forum? Seems ridiculous how once I upgrade my Windows 7 retail license, I'll have to buy a brand new Windows 10 license in the future if I buy a new CPU/mobo.
 
ManofGod said:
You will be fine, just use the Windows 7 key during the Windows 10 clean install process. Of course, you must not be using it on the old machine. I had no issues installing Windows 8.1 Pro and then reinstalling the Windows 10 upgrade back in September and that was with the Windows 8.1 Pro upgrade key I bought in October, 2012 for $40.

Oh, and I bought a Z170 board with 6700k in September and the installation is going strong.
Click to expand...

So you had Windows 10 on a different motherboard and CPU prior to buying the Z170/6700K?
 
Retail licenses that are upgraded to Windows 10 keep their retail status including that ability to later transfer that license to another computer and don't become OEM licenses as explained here and here

Prior to the latest update, you would have had to first install your retail copy of Windows 7 or 8.1 on the new PC. Activate it, and then upgrade to Windows 10. With the latest install media, you can simply install Windows 10 on the new system and give it your Windows 7 or 8.1 retail key and it will activate.
 
Retail license upgrades to retail license.
OEM license upgrades to OEM license.
 
Sgt_Strider said:
Have this been confirmed on this forum? Seems ridiculous how once I upgrade my Windows 7 retail license, I'll have to buy a brand new Windows 10 license in the future if I buy a new CPU/mobo.
Click to expand...

According to WinSuperSite it should still be a retail license after upgrading.

'Ridiculous' pretty much describes the general situation with Windows 10. I wouldn't bother if I were you.
 
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