Windows 10 Activation Questions

[HomelessNinja21]

So I'm on an non-activated version of Windows 10 Pro and I plan on buying a license from Microsoft. From what I understand the product keys they sell are directly linked to the media (disc/usb/download) they come with and won't work with what I already have installed. So I have a few questions before I buy Win10 Pro off Amazon for $200

If I put the disc in, will it let me reinstall Win10 Pro to a version that would work with the license? Or do I need to completely uninstall my OS first?

 

[aldan]

what do you already have?win10 is a free upgrade to win7 and 8.1 users.

 

[HEXiT]

but a win 7 key. microsoft are allowing us to activate win 10 with win 7 and win 8 keys.
also the key is attached to your motherboards mac address not the windows version your installing.

 

[HomelessNinja21]

what do you already have?win10 is a free upgrade to win7 and 8.1 users.

I'm using a non-activated version of Windows 10.

 

[HomelessNinja21]

but a win 7 key. microsoft are allowing us to activate win 10 with win 7 and win 8 keys.
also the key is attached to your motherboards mac address now the windows version your installing.

So if I buy a Win7 key, I can downgrade to Win7 then upgrade back to Win10?

 

[rgd1101]

There is no downgrade, a reinstall is required.
How did you get a non-activated windows 10?

 

[COLGeek]

BTW, the product keys are NOT directly tied to the install media (disc/usb/download, as you put it).

 

[HomelessNinja21]

There is no downgrade, a reinstall is required.
How did you get a non-activated windows 10?

I downloaded it when Win10 was first released, it said I could download it onto a USB to upgrade multiple PCs. It didn't say anything about me needing to buy another product key, so I don't know why downloading it was even an option?

How would I reinstall it? Just put the disc/usb in to re-download it, or do I have to do something in BIOS to uninstall everything first?

 

[HomelessNinja21]

BTW, the product keys are NOT directly tied to the install media (disc/usb/download, as you put it).

Wait, if that's the case, can I buy Win10 Pro, then just use the license that one came with to activate mine without having to reinstall everything? That would be awesome.

 

[rgd1101]

to upgrade multiple PCs

Doesn't sound like you were upgrading a pc.

 

[COLGeek]

A valid W10 Pro product key should install properly onto a properly installed W10 Pro system. Assuming your install in good to go, activating with the newly purchased product key should work without re-installing the OS.

rgd1101 is correct, it does not sound like you are performing "upgrades" from your description.

 

[HomelessNinja21]

to upgrade multiple PCs

Doesn't sound like you were upgrading a pc.

I upgraded my previous PC from Win8.1 to Win10. I downloaded it onto a USB in case I built new PC later on. Which I did.

 

[COLGeek]

Got it. In that case, you could re-install Win 8 (assuming it was legal and valid) and then upgrade to W10 for free.

 

[HomelessNinja21]

A valid W10 Pro product key should install properly onto a properly installed W10 Pro system. Assuming your install in good to go, activating with the newly purchased product key should work without re-installing the OS.

So I can buy this , look at the license it comes with on the disc package or whatever, type it in, and it'll be activated?

 

[COLGeek]

In theory (and practice), yes. That should work as proposed. This should make 1 system "legal" for activation to Win 10 Pro.

 

[HomelessNinja21]

In theory (and practice), yes. That should work as proposed. This should make 1 system "legal" for activation to Win 10 Pro.

Alright, thanks.

 

[COLGeek]

Good luck and have fun!

 

[HEXiT]

but a win 7 key. microsoft are allowing us to activate win 10 with win 7 and win 8 keys.
also the key is attached to your motherboards mac address now the windows version your installing.

So if I buy a Win7 key, I can downgrade to Win7 then upgrade back to Win10?

no you just install win 10 as normal then use your win 7 key when asked for a key.
windows should then activate.
from now on there should be no reason to install win7/8/8.1 befor you upgrade to win 10...