How to get windows 10 on new PC?

[ww1superstar]

I upgraded my motherboard (along with other parts) and I dont know if there is a way to get windows 10 on my new computer, since the hard drive needs to be reformated. I had windows 10 on my last PC when I got it for free for having windows 7, but now I can't seem to find my windows 7 disk and I dont know if there is a to download it from my microsoft account or anything like that. Or will I just have yo buy a whole new copy?

 

[n0ns3ns3]

you need to link your windows to MS account.
Set MS account for login.
than you can download windows from MS and make installation USB.
after that you just reactivate your windows: http://www.windowscentral.com/how-re-activate-windows-10-after-hardware-change

 

[Herc08]

You can try to contact Microsoft. But if you switched out a motherboard, it may not work. However, if the drive is already formatted with Windows, you may be able to hook up a SATA cable and then just installed the drivers. Haven't tried it yet myself though. But I did swapped out laptop hard drives.

 

[captaincharisma]

if you linked windows 10 to a Microsoft account and have had it fully updated there is a way to reactivate it after a major hardware change like that. if not you may be able to call Microsoft and tell them you replaced a failed motherboard. check out this link for further info:

http://www.windowscentral.com/how-re-activate-windows-10-after-hardware-change

 

[JackNaylorPE]

When you bought windows 7, 8 or 10, you can not move it to a new PC if the Windows OS purchase was not recorded as an "individual purchase"

If you did, then you can change the MoBo 100 times and it will work. You can make backup copies to move it or download and install using the USB / DVD tool

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Useterms/Retail/Windows/10/UseTerms_Retail_Windows_10_English.htm

4. Transfer. The provisions of this section do not apply if you acquired the software as a consumer in Germany or in any of the countries listed on this site (aka.ms/transfer), in which case any transfer of the software to a third party, and the right to use it, must comply with applicable law.

a. Software preinstalled on device. If you acquired the software preinstalled on a device (and also if you upgraded from software preinstalled on a device), you may transfer the license to use the software directly to another user, only with the licensed device. The transfer must include the software and, if provided with the device, an authentic Windows label including the product key. Before any permitted transfer, the other party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software.

b. Stand-alone software. If you acquired the software as stand-alone software (and also if you upgraded from software you acquired as stand-alone software), you may transfer the software to another device that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software to a device owned by someone else if (i) you are the first licensed user of the software and (ii) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Every time you transfer the software to a new device, you must remove the software from the prior device. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between devices.

 

[rgd1101]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from ww1superstar : "How to get windows 10 on new PC?"

I upgraded my motherboard (along with other parts) and I dont know if there is a way to get windows 10 on my new computer, since the hard drive needs to be reformated. I had windows 10 on my last PC when I got it for free for having windows 7, but now I can't seem to find my windows 7 disk and I dont know if there is a to download it from my microsoft account or anything like that. Or will I just have yo buy a whole new copy?

if you were signed into your old windows 10 computer using a microsoft login account your "key" should be tied to your account now. Though I don't know if Microsoft allows you transfer upgraded copies of W10 or not.

You can download a fresh windows installer from here. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

It certainly doesn't hurt to try.

Create windows 10 install media and install windows
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
and use windows activation troubleshooter to transfer license from your old PC to new one
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20527/windows-10-activation-troubleshooter
(see section: You recently made a significant hardware change)

 

[ww1superstar]

So I turned on my computer after installing the new parts, and I was usuing the same hard drive so I assumed I would have to reformat and therefore earase everything. But in fact it started up with new motherboard, CPU, and RAM, and didnt earase any data and started windows 10 up and even remembered all my passwords. I dont know how, but I am not complaining.

 

[Colif]

So I turned on my computer after installing the new parts, and I was usuing the same hard drive so I assumed I would have to reformat and therefore earase everything. But in fact it started up with new motherboard, CPU, and RAM, and didnt earase any data and started windows 10 up and even remembered all my passwords. I dont know how, but I am not complaining.

Win 10 is good like that, you were lucky. 90% of time you would need a reinstall. Is it still activated?

 

[captaincharisma]

So I turned on my computer after installing the new parts, and I was usuing the same hard drive so I assumed I would have to reformat and therefore earase everything. But in fact it started up with new motherboard, CPU, and RAM, and didnt earase any data and started windows 10 up and even remembered all my passwords. I dont know how, but I am not complaining.

yes, but is it still activated?

 

[Colif]

When you bought windows 7, 8 or 10, you can not move it to a new PC if the Windows OS purchase was not recorded as an "individual purchase"

If you did, then you can change the MoBo 100 times and it will work. You can make backup copies to move it or download and install using the USB / DVD tool

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Useterms/Retail/Windows/10/UseTerms_Retail_Windows_10_English.htm

4. Transfer. The provisions of this section do not apply if you acquired the software as a consumer in Germany or in any of the countries listed on this site (aka.ms/transfer), in which case any transfer of the software to a third party, and the right to use it, must comply with applicable law.

a. Software preinstalled on device. If you acquired the software preinstalled on a device (and also if you upgraded from software preinstalled on a device), you may transfer the license to use the software directly to another user, only with the licensed device. The transfer must include the software and, if provided with the device, an authentic Windows label including the product key. Before any permitted transfer, the other party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software.

b. Stand-alone software. If you acquired the software as stand-alone software (and also if you upgraded from software you acquired as stand-alone software), you may transfer the software to another device that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software to a device owned by someone else if (i) you are the first licensed user of the software and (ii) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Every time you transfer the software to a new device, you must remove the software from the prior device. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between devices.

If you notice, the licence hasn't been updated since July 2015 to match the new changes made in version 1607 this year, you can now move an OEM copy from 1 PC to another. provided you do the steps mentioned by CaptainCharisma in his post. Its obvious that licence needs an update, MS have blurred the lines between OEM & Retail. I expect the number of changes you can make on retail is larger than OEM. So far no one has been rejected when moving a Digital entitlement.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

OEM copies were perfectly fine from day 1. Again, as long as you paid for it individually.

This you could transfer as much as ya want.
BossMan Series 3000 PC: $1420
Windows 10 64 bit Home - $80
Total : $1500

Not this tho
BossMan Series 3000 PC w/ Windows 10 64 bit - $1500

That quote I gave was a link from MS's home Win 10 page page so I dunno why they would point to a EULA that wasn't current

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows

It takes you here (where I quoted from)

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Useterms/Retail/Windows/10/UseTerms_Retail_Windows_10_English.htm

Looking for EULA changes post 1607 I couldn't find any. Can you point me to where I can fond a post 1607 EULA ? This lists "all the changes" in 1607 and it says nothing about a change in EULA which as far as iIcan tell was updated the month before (July 15) and that's the one I quoted

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/itpro/windows/whats-new/whats-new-windows-10-version-1607

http://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-releases-new-license-terms-for-windows-10-no-surprises/


BTW, the "changed the mobo, so you must buy new" on previous OSs was a myth. I had done it 3 times w/ no issue at all. Window activation looks at numerous hardware hashes and counts the changes, more often than not. 2 of the 3 included new CPU sockets. Unless you make a drastic change (brand, model line, chipset, on board LAN, and a few other "on board" items, the process would sail right thru