Windows 10 Key Question

[Nebor]

Ok, so I purchased 3 copies of Windows 8 Pro when it came out (1 for Desktop, 1 for HTPC and 1 for Laptop.) I did the Windows 10 upgrade on my desktop, and about a week later the motherboard\PSU gave out. So I'm building a new computer on Friday.

Can I just use the same Windows 10 Pro 64-bit installation flash drive that I created to upgrade my old desktop to install it on my new desktop? And then it'll just give me an option to purchase a new key for $200 or so?

 

[Dahak]

You could re-install Win8 and do the upgrade again if your Win 8 allow you move it.
If not, then yes you would have to purchase a new key. If you skip the key during install when you go to activate it it should prompt you to purchase one

 

[RampantAndroid]

Ok, so I purchased 3 copies of Windows 8 Pro when it came out (1 for Desktop, 1 for HTPC and 1 for Laptop.) I did the Windows 10 upgrade on my desktop, and about a week later the motherboard\PSU gave out. So I'm building a new computer on Friday.

Can I just use the same Windows 10 Pro 64-bit installation flash drive that I created to upgrade my old desktop to install it on my new desktop? And then it'll just give me an option to purchase a new key for $200 or so?

If you logged in with a live account before the failure, try to just install and log in. Your Win8 key would probably be recognized as upgraded already, and you'd just get the same key again. If it doesn't activate, try calling them...

 

[Nebor]

If you logged in with a live account before the failure, try to just install and log in. Your Win8 key would probably be recognized as upgraded already, and you'd just get the same key again. If it doesn't activate, try calling them...

I did log in with my Live account. I thought it was linked to the specific hardware though?

 

[RampantAndroid]

I did log in with my Live account. I thought it was linked to the specific hardware though?

That's what I am not sure about. Either way, starting over from Win8 I doubt will have any other outcome. I'd expect the upgrade to hand you the same key. The question is...will the key be able to be activated? Try and see.

 

[Ketchup]

I doubt the new system will take long to set up on Windows 10, so why don't you be a guinea pig for us and find out!

To answer your question:
1. If your copy of 8 was Retail, then the update of 10 would transfer to the new hardware, just like 8 would. So you should be able to just load it from the flash drive.

2. If it was OEM, you technically are stuck either way, as OEM copies of Windows have been tied to hardware for years. But I would try the upgrade from 8, and call MS if they give you any grief.

I know that in the past I have been right "on the line" with MS official policy on OS transfer, but I have never been turned down when making a phone call.

 

[Nebor]

All my copies of Windows 8 were retail packaged. I physically bought them at the store the old fashioned way.

 

[Ketchup]

All my copies of Windows 8 were retail packaged. I physically bought them at the store the old fashioned way.

Sweet. Shouldn't have any problems straight off your flash drive then.

 

[Nebor]

It won't activate. Looks like I'm going to have to pay $199 for a Windows 10 key.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Motherboard dies, end of life of your current setup and the free upgrade offer, you will need to buy a new key, even if it's the same brand and model as your last one, now if the new key is for retail you can install on any new mobo in the future at any time. At least that's how I think it works now. If it's retail 8 maybe they'll let you with a phone call? I'm sure someone will clarify....

 

[MongGrel]

Nah, I'm not going to bite.

 

[Nebor]

Motherboard dies, end of life of your current setup and the free upgrade offer, you will need to buy a new key, even if it's the same brand and model as your last one, now if the new key is for retail you can install on any new mobo in the future at any time. At least that's how I think it works now. If it's retail 8 maybe they'll let you with a phone call? I'm sure someone will clarify....

I think the logic further up in the thread was that since I have a retail copy of windows 8 that I upgraded, I should be able to install windows 10 in the same way I could install windows 8 on different machines.

I'm not upset or anything, I understand Microsoft is providing me a product and I've used too much of it at this point, so I've gotta pay. Oh well, what can you do?

 

[ViRGE]

Oh well, what can you do?

Install Win8 and then upgrade to Win10.

Legally you're allowed to do this since you have a retail copy. The reason you can't activate is because MS went with the simpler solution of not issuing individual keys to free upgrade users, which means you don't have a key to activate a fresh copy of Win10 with. (There's also technically a server-side hash, but since your hardware changed you can't use that here)

Technically you could also call MS and get it activated. However I'm a fan of avoiding human contact as much as possible.

 

[Ketchup]

I agree with ViRGE's assessment.

 

[twjr]

What happens after the free period runs out and you change hardware? It's OK (but still a pain) installing 7 or 8 first now but is that route still going to work in a years time?

 

[GrumpyMan]

I agree with ViRGE's assessment.

+1

 

[Ketchup]

What happens after the free period runs out and you change hardware? It's OK (but still a pain) installing 7 or 8 first now but is that route still going to work in a years time?

A call to MS may be required. Hopefully they these types of call will be fully automated, so they shouldn't take long.

 

[chucky2]

I've had a onboard everything motherboard die before and needed to replace it, ended up having to call Microsoft. Explained what happened, they read me new key, all done. 10 minute call to Microsoft or $200...I'd spend the 10 minutes...

 

[twjr]

A call to MS may be required. Hopefully they these types of call will be fully automated, so they shouldn't take long.

That is what I would expect too. Would be good to have some kind of confirmation though. Maybe the OP could give MS a call and see what they say.

 

[Puffnstuff]

+1 for calling MS.

 

[JeffMD]

MS does have a web chat function, I have used it before. If you install windows 10 with your live account and it does not activate they may be able to reset your original widows 10 hardware profile.

 

[Nebor]

I talked to them on Web chat. My options are either: Install Windows 8 and "follow the uprade path," or purchase a full copy of Windows 10. I'm choosing the latter.

 

[Ketchup]

So with the retail free upgrade, you have to upgrade each time you move it. What a pain.

 

[Nebor]

So with the retail free upgrade, you have to upgrade each time you move it. What a pain.

Yeah exactly. It just isn't worth the pain to me.

 

[twjr]

Yeah exactly. It just isn't worth the pain to me.

Did they say that you would still be able to do the upgrade for free after 29/7/16?