mmhandley :
getochkn :
mmhandley :
USAFRet :
No, you can't reuse it.
You traded your Win 8.1 license for a new Win 10 license. You don't get to use both.
Thanks for info...Does this mean that I can no longer use Windows 8.1 FULL RETAIL in the future on another PC if I decide I don't like Windows 10? My current PC is 6 years old and I may buy a newer one without an Operating System next year. Did my Windows 8.1 FULL RETAIL turn into an OEM version now? Thanks again...
You have 30 days to decide if you like windows 10 or not and roll back your CURRENT pc to 8.1 and then your key will be valid for 8.1 and any future upgrades. Keep 10 past the 30 days and your 8.1 has become windows 10 4-L1F3
So next year, I will not even be able to deactivate my Windows 10 from the PC and then use my Windows 8.1 Full Retail with key on a different PC? Where did Microsoft publish "Keep 10 past the 30 days and your 8.1 has become windows 10 4-L1F3" Thanks again.
The "30 days" refers to reverting back to the original OS, via the choices in Settings/Recovery.
Why? The windows.old folder is deleted after 30 days, to give you back hard drive space. That windows.old folder is what it would use to reconstitute your old installation.
It has nothing to do with the license for your original OS.