Win 10 licensing

[TourGuide]

Has anyone heard about any plans MS has announced for the licensing for Windows 10 for those changing from Windows 7 or 8? I wouldn't mind updating to the new OS when it is released - IF I don't have to surrender my retail license rights under 7. My fear is that MS will try to make the change over from 7/8 to 10 something where you end up with an OEM license tied to your current hardware.

 

[blackangst1]

Its been discussed quite a bit. It will be a free upgrade.

 

[Ketchup]

Because of the current way computers come from OEMs, I don't believe they would be able to shift the license to 10 once you upgrade. Your recovery partition/media would still be activated through the key built into the computer.

Now after computers start shipping with 10, that could be a different story, since the consumer-based Windows OS will be shifting from new operating systems to perpetual updates.

 

[JackMDS]

I do not recall seeing any Key number discussion. It probaly will be clarified when the RTM is ready for release.

That said, I would suggest to people who are upgrading to the Tech preview to write somewhere the current key of Win 7/8.0/8.1 before they Upgrade to the Tech preview.

 

[TourGuide]

Because of the current way computers come from OEMs, I don't believe they would be able to shift the license to 10 once you upgrade. Your recovery partition/media would still be activated through the key built into the computer.

Now after computers start shipping with 10, that could be a different story, since the consumer-based Windows OS will be shifting from new operating systems to perpetual updates.

Yes - I presume this will happen too - but I'm one of the people who have retail licenses for the pcs at the house. I spent this money so that hardware updates can be done legally whenever the mood or finances allow. I know the update will be 'free' but as a consumer I would expect to retain my retail license rights to install on new hardware when old hardware fails or is upgraded. That is the concern and what I keep looking for information about.

 

[Ketchup]

Yes - I presume this will happen too - but I'm one of the people who have retail licenses for the pcs at the house. I spent this money so that hardware updates can be done legally whenever the mood or finances allow. I know the update will be 'free' but as a consumer I would expect to retain my retail license rights to install on new hardware when old hardware fails or is upgraded. That is the concern and what I keep looking for information about.

I definitely agree here. I am skeptical of at least one comment from Microsoft on this:

A big part of that is Microsoft's new commitment to keep devices consistently updated throughout the "supported lifetime for the device."

http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/21/7...be-a-free-upgrade-for-windows-7-and-8-1-users

In the past, Microsoft has used end-of-life to describe when mainstream support and extended supports ends for an OS, so it will be interesting to see how Microsoft uses that terminology here, as it refers to devices, if they are in fact changing the way new OSs are released.

 

[TourGuide]

I definitely agree here. I am skeptical of at least one comment from Microsoft on this:


http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/21/7...be-a-free-upgrade-for-windows-7-and-8-1-users

In the past, Microsoft has used end-of-life to describe when mainstream support and extended supports ends for an OS, so it will be interesting to see how Microsoft uses that terminology here, as it refers to devices, if they are in fact changing the way new OSs are released.

Yes - EXACTLY! - "supported lifetime for the device." - That sounds like I could be giving up my right to install on any hardware config I want for the OEM license approach where you get to install on exactly and only the hardware you initially install on.

I am suspicious that 'free' means they want me to exchange my retail licensing rights for an OEM rights type of license. If that is the case I'm keeping 7 until they stop providing updates at all - ala XP.

 

[Mushkins]

Yes - I presume this will happen too - but I'm one of the people who have retail licenses for the pcs at the house. I spent this money so that hardware updates can be done legally whenever the mood or finances allow. I know the update will be 'free' but as a consumer I would expect to retain my retail license rights to install on new hardware when old hardware fails or is upgraded. That is the concern and what I keep looking for information about.

Traditionally, upgrade licenses are explicitly paired with the license you're upgrading from. So if you purchased the Windows 7 Upgrade media/license and used it to upgrade from Windows Vista Retail, both of those licenses are legally still assigned to that PC. Keeping that upgraded Win7 on that pc, and then re-using the Vista key on a *second* PC would be a violation of the license, but the pair of licenses are still considered Retail and can be collectively moved to a new PC if you uninstall from the old one.

There has been no released licensing documentation for Windows 10 yet, but I can't see it working differently. Putting infrastructure in place to actively enforce upgrade licenses would be a massive headache on Microsofts part when they're already transitioning to a new model. Odds are it will still work on the honor system where an "upgrade" install searches for an existing upgrade eligible installation of Windows before it will move forward, but nothing is physically or technically stopping you from then taking your old retail license and reusing it on a totally different PC.

 

[saratoga172]

Yes - I presume this will happen too - but I'm one of the people who have retail licenses for the pcs at the house. I spent this money so that hardware updates can be done legally whenever the mood or finances allow. I know the update will be 'free' but as a consumer I would expect to retain my retail license rights to install on new hardware when old hardware fails or is upgraded. That is the concern and what I keep looking for information about.

Generally I've been able to use oem licensing and upgrade components. From my experience this has actually gotten better with windows 7 then 8. With a retail copy it should be even better supported I have noticed on occasion having to call Microsoft to get the key reactivated.

Not sure how this will change with win 10 though.

 

[Eno Safirey]

I'm wondering if there will be something buried in the EULA that would somehow void out your activation code for the operating system you are upgrading from. It would be really awful to image your Windows 7 install and try to reactivate a year later and be shut out. I also would hate to upgrade from Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate and discover that my free OS is a basic or starter edition that can be enhanced with add-ons from the store.

I'm quoting myself from another thread to ask if this is possible.

 

[Ketchup]

I'm quoting myself from another thread to ask if this is possible.

I suppose it is possible, but I really don't see Microsoft doing this. Can you imagine the hate? I rather see this as a way to get those paying attention to go ahead and take the free upgrade, in addition to those buying the OS outright, and those buying a new computer with the new OS. That should speed up the process of getting people on the new model, whatever it turns out to be.

I will be careful here. Speculation can get people all worked up over nothing, so I am going to enjoy the preview of the new OS, and see what happens when the intentions are finally revealed.

 

[Mushkins]

I'm quoting myself from another thread to ask if this is possible.

Technically, they could, but they wont. Please see my post above for the explanation on how upgrade keys are handled from a licensing perspective. Just because you upgraded to the latest version, your base windows version and key are still 100% legitimate licenses should you choose to downgrade later. As long as you don't upgrade and then simultaneously install the base version on *ANOTHER* pc at the same time as the upgraded PC is in service, you are 100% ok.

 

[Eno Safirey]

*text*

I'm totally supportive of the way Microsoft has handled these issues before. There have been a few times when I've had to call in to activate re-installs and they have been helpful and supportive. I'm just a little concerned about the change in culture that seems to be happening since Windows 8 and the blending of touch screen versus mouse click.