Should I accept the Windows 10 free upgrade offer?

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Socio

Golden Member
May 19, 2002
1,732
2
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I wonder if you will be able to install the upgrade it on a hard drive other than the one your current OS is on?

A, I would like to install it on a new larger drive.

B, Would like the ability to dual boot to 7, keep my work flow interruptions to a minimum until I fully migrate over to 10.
 
Ketchup

Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
14,559
248
106
If it is OEM, the upgrade is only for the hardware the existing version of Windows is currently on. However, after the upgrade you can clone to a new hard just, so long as it is in the same computer, just as you can with previous versions of Windows.

The upgrade carries the same permissions as other versions of Windows, so, for example, if you are upgrading a retail version, you would have the ability to transfer it, same as with the existing retail version.

The upgrade is just like Windows upgrades in the past, in that it upgrades the version you have, not adding to it.
 
MongGrel

MongGrel

Lifer
Dec 3, 2013
38,466
3,067
121
Just picked up WIN X 10240 last night.

I'm a believer now, everything is working perfect here now with even some problems with earlier builds, have been using it with the quirks even awhile now.

Was using 8.1 before that.

Even reinstalled some older media things that were having problems and working perfectly.

10240 impresses me a bit, and that's after one day.

Still learning to navigate it a bit, but that doesn't take long.
 
Last edited:
Mem

Mem

Lifer
Apr 23, 2000
21,476
13
81
MrPickins said:
Lack of Windows Media Center in Windows 10 is one reason.

My HTPC will stay on 7 for the time being.
Click to expand...


Look for third party alternatives via net ,fact is Win7 will come to end of life within five years so users will have to upgrade sooner or later.

I use WMC but don't see that as a major issue not to upgrade to Win10.

Btw some listed below http://www.howtogeek.com/132462/5-alternatives-to-windows-media-center-on-windows-8/

MediaPortal is worth a try in that list.
 
S

Socio

Golden Member
May 19, 2002
1,732
2
81
ketchup79 said:
If it is OEM, the upgrade is only for the hardware the existing version of Windows is currently on. However, after the upgrade you can clone to a new hard just, so long as it is in the same computer, just as you can with previous versions of Windows.

The upgrade carries the same permissions as other versions of Windows, so, for example, if you are upgrading a retail version, you would have the ability to transfer it, same as with the existing retail version.

The upgrade is just like Windows upgrades in the past, in that it upgrades the version you have, not adding to it.
Click to expand...

Hmm?

Then perhaps the reverse could be done where you clone your Windows 7 or 8 installation to a new drive then upgrade that clone to 10 keeping your original Windows 7 or 8 installation intact on the old drive.

I use SSD's and have a SSD hot swappable drive cage so could just switch between the two until fully migrated to 10.
 
S

Socio

Golden Member
May 19, 2002
1,732
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Muadib

Muadib

Lifer
May 30, 2000
18,124
912
126
I have a question for you guys. I'm running 8.1 on my current pc with an Intel 2600k CPU. I plan on upgrading to Skylake when Skylake E is available for purchase. I made a boo boo, and said ok to the upgrade to 10 on my current 8.1 pc. What are my options now?
 
Ketchup

Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
14,559
248
106
Muadib said:
I have a question for you guys. I'm running 8.1 on my current pc with an Intel 2600k CPU. I plan on upgrading to Skylake when Skylake E is available for purchase. I made a boo boo, and said ok to the upgrade to 10 on my current 8.1 pc. What are my options now?
Click to expand...

Same as they were before. You have a new key for 10, it is just kept in a different place. Is this an OEM version? That version usually requires a code update to activate with the change, but there is usually not a problem with it.

So you can install 10, or go back to 8.1, or try to launch your current installation with the new hardware(which usually works fine with Intel systems).
 
Muadib

Muadib

Lifer
May 30, 2000
18,124
912
126
ketchup79 said:
Same as they were before. You have a new key for 10, it is just kept in a different place. Is this an OEM version? That version usually requires a code update to activate with the change, but there is usually not a problem with it.

So you can install 10, or go back to 8.1, or try to launch your current installation with the new hardware(which usually works fine with Intel systems).
Click to expand...
No it's not an OEM version. Glad to know that there should be no issue, thanks!
 
ViRGE

ViRGE

Elite Member, Moderator Emeritus
Oct 9, 1999
31,516
167
106
Muadib said:
No it's not an OEM version. Glad to know that there should be no issue, thanks!
Click to expand...
Yeah, if your copyof Win8 is retail then you're golden. Retail copies of Windows can be moved to a new machine, the license allows it. So play with the Win10 update on your current SNB system to your heart's content, as you're allowed to move the base license (and the associated free upgrade) to the new system.
 
T

twjr

Senior member
Jul 5, 2006
627
207
116
ViRGE said:
Yeah, if your copyof Win8 is retail then you're golden. Retail copies of Windows can be moved to a new machine, the license allows it. So play with the Win10 update on your current SNB system to your heart's content, as you're allowed to move the base license (and the associated free upgrade) to the new system.
Click to expand...

Does that apply for student or upgrade copies of Win8 too as long as they aren't OEM? If not, does Microsoft run any checks that detect that you have reinstalled Win8 after performing the Win10 upgrade or does it just contravene the Terms of Use?

ALSO.

Has Microsoft clarified how we can upgrade a licence that is currently not installed on a system? I recalled with the Win8 upgrade offer there was a website (might not have been a website) where you could enter Win7 keys to get your Win8 upgrade key. Is something like that going to happen again. I ask because I've got 2 or 3 retail/upgrade keys for Win8 but no systems to install them on as I'm travelling.
 
S

SimMike2

Platinum Member
Aug 15, 2000
2,577
1
81
I am kind of a paranoid person generally, and I plan on sticking with Windows 7 because I use WMC, but in my opinion Microsoft is subtly undercutting Windows 7 support.
 
ViRGE

ViRGE

Elite Member, Moderator Emeritus
Oct 9, 1999
31,516
167
106
twjr said:
Does that apply for student or upgrade copies of Win8 too as long as they aren't OEM? If not, does Microsoft run any checks that detect that you have reinstalled Win8 after performing the Win10 upgrade or does it just contravene the Terms of Use?

ALSO.

Has Microsoft clarified how we can upgrade a licence that is currently not installed on a system? I recalled with the Win8 upgrade offer there was a website (might not have been a website) where you could enter Win7 keys to get your Win8 upgrade key. Is something like that going to happen again. I ask because I've got 2 or 3 retail/upgrade keys for Win8 but no systems to install them on as I'm travelling.
Click to expand...
Student copies are OEM. As for Win8 upgrade copies, I haven't checked the terms closely. I think they inherit the terms of whatever the OS was that was upgraded.
 
postmortemIA

postmortemIA

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2006
7,721
40
91
ViRGE said:
Student copies are OEM. As for Win8 upgrade copies, I haven't checked the terms closely. I think they inherit the terms of whatever the OS was that was upgraded.
Click to expand...
Do you have some supporting information for that? We all know how Microsoft licensing terms are messy.

I know that student copies of old MSDNAA program were retail copies, since I've used them on many computers over the years.
 
E

escrow4

Diamond Member
Feb 4, 2013
3,339
122
106
OEM 8.1 can be reinstalled at will. Single PC at a time sure, but re-installing doesn't need a call. Rebuilt my main box and used an 8.1 OEM DVD I had lying around (no Update 1, so 2GB of updates eh). Activated in seconds.
 
Ketchup

Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
14,559
248
106
nemesismk2 said:
if i upgrade my amd fx 8350 computer from windows xp will microsoft allow me to downgrade back to windows xp if i don't like windows 10.
Click to expand...

First off, Windows would not allow this "upgrade", free or otherwise. Windows only allows a true upgrade to the next version, otherwise you would have to to a "clean install." In this one rare off, Windows is allowing the upgrade back to 7 for free no less, but that does not change the fact that Windows 10 would not upgrade from xp.

Now, let's say you buy Windows 10. If you didn't like it, you would need to format your drive and re-install xp.

So, to summarize, going to 10 from XP from on a computer would for all intents and purposes the same as if you were installing 10 on a newly-built computer will no OS.
 
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