Good info. Thanks.

Cool thanks, I was hoping to do a clean install after I realized the upgrade didnt format my drive at all. I have too much junk on my laptop I dont want anymore. 

yeah but one thing you have to use windows 10 as upgrade first then after your first bunch of updates it will recognize your pc and then you can get activated with a fresh install. but you have to upgrade first.

James_L

willem445
Cool thanks, I was hoping to do a clean install after I realized the upgrade didnt format my drive at all. I have too much junk on my laptop I dont want anymore. 

Please be sure that if you do decide to do a fresh install you attain your upgrade license key as the fresh install will prompt for it as you run the setup.
 
It can be found in the system properties page of the upgraded system. This would be your Windows 10 license key.

I will make sure to document it for future use but it seems like I read that you can just bypass the steps that ask for a license key because Microsoft ties the copy with your hardware and looks it up? Correct me if im wrong. 

James_L

willem445

James_L

willem445
Cool thanks, I was hoping to do a clean install after I realized the upgrade didnt format my drive at all. I have too much junk on my laptop I dont want anymore. 

Please be sure that if you do decide to do a fresh install you attain your upgrade license key as the fresh install will prompt for it as you run the setup.
 
It can be found in the system properties page of the upgraded system. This would be your Windows 10 license key.

I will make sure to document it for future use but it seems like I read that you can just bypass the steps that ask for a license key because Microsoft ties the copy with your hardware and looks it up? Correct me if im wrong. 

They've been doing that since Windows 7 was available. It may no longer need it but I would have the key all things considered just in case you needed to change a motherboard because of failure and lack of availability.

Good point. I will make sure to record it when I get home. Thanks.

agent8
I apologize for not knowing how this works but if you had an activated system with 10 on it, copied down the license key and burned an install disk, could you install it on another computer, call Microsoft and do the "I had to change my motherboard" trick or is the disk tied to the number? I do realize that the old system would be invalid and could not be used anymore if it did work. I think there was a FAQ that touched on this but I wasn't fully following.

You can do that. It's essentially the same circumstances when reinstalling an OEM version of Windows 7/8/8.1 to a different system when a failure of the hardware occurs and you must change the system motherboard.

willem445
Which is weird. I have all OEM copies of Windows 7 and I swear I installed a different serial number Win 7 on my desktop when I added an SSD, worked perfectly fine. Unless I got lucky and picked the correct copy out of the 4-5 I have lol.  

The license key is tied to the motherboard, not any of the peripherals or drives in the system itself. You can freely update the system and/or change the boot drive (I've done this myself quite a bit) without issue. It's when you change/replace the motherboard is where the issue comes to light. Meaning when you decide to update from let's say an AM2+ system to any other type such as an AM3. For the Intel platform it would be like going from an X58 to a Z67, Z87 or change of types like that.

agent8
But still a phone call is all that is needed right? I mean could you fudge it enough to go from a laptop with a completely different setup to a desktop? I seem to remember it all being automated with easy yes or no, 1 or 2 buttons and just enter the product key with the dial pad and just make sure you respond with "1 system". Is it the same if the windows 7 was bundled with a store bought lappy and has been updated to 10 then make the disk?

Correct. It will be the same method with Windows 10 once you have a valid license tied to your hardware motherboard.

 
So if I want to upgrade my Motherboard, I would have to do that first, before getting the free upgrade to Pro? Or else I lose the free upgrade.

James_L

XrayMan
 
So if I want to upgrade my Motherboard, I would have to do that first, before getting the free upgrade to Pro? Or else I lose the free upgrade.

Do the initial upgrade prior to changing any motherboard. Get your license key otherwise you may run into issues. That way you'll have the license key for any further clean installs or recovery problems you may need to use it for.

Costs $199 for the one I want. (Win 10 Pro) Oh well, when it's time to upgrade, I guess it would be worth it.      :/

NazcaC2
Xray, would you take advantage of Pro's features or do you only just want it because you want it?

Probably just because I want it. I always get Ultimate, but since Win 10 is only Home and Pro, I want the Pro.       ;)
 
 
Don't want OEM, because of course the upgrading every so often aspects of it.

There should be an option to 'Skip this step' when it asks for an activation code.

It doesn't give me the option to skip.

XrayMan

James_L

XrayMan
 
So if I want to upgrade my Motherboard, I would have to do that first, before getting the free upgrade to Pro? Or else I lose the free upgrade.

Do the initial upgrade prior to changing any motherboard. Get your license key otherwise you may run into issues. That way you'll have the license key for any further clean installs or recovery problems you may need to use it for.

Costs $199 for the one I want. (Win 10 Pro) Oh well, when it's time to upgrade, I guess it would be worth it.      :/

same boat as you, I rather keep mine n go dual boot. I have the two SSD's to do it lol. I'm guessing there will never be an ulti version win10 for any reason? Just in case if I need to sit back awhile.

 
Ok I'm finally going to do this. Upgrading to Windows 10. Upgrade, then fresh install. Wish me luck. See you on the other side.