Recently the process of Windows 10 activation and what happens in terms of activation keys has been a little vague. We now understand that Microsoft has changed the activation process significantly so much so that the need for actual keys has almost been done away with.
If one now installs Windows 10 (this also applies to Windows 7 and 8.1 too) on a new device you need only input the activation key once. Any installs after that whether they be a clean install or not won't need an activation key. This is because your status is stored on an 'Activation Database'.
Many users who upgraded from Windows 7 or 8.1 will notice their Windows 10 is also activated but no mention of a key.
What happens when you upgrade to Windows 10 is this:
As long as your current install whether it be Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 is genuine and activated then the information regarding the activation will be stored online on the Activation Database.
When you upgrade to Windows 10 the set up will check online about your status and as long as your previous windows is genuine as well as activated a Windows 10 licence is issued. This will also be stored online with your other activation details. Microsoft calls this 'Digital Entitlement'.
Once this information has been stored one can then go right ahead and perform a clean install without having to input an activation key as of course it's stored online. Just keep pressing 'skip' when asked to input a key.
So if you want a free copy of Windows 10 then one must upgrade first of all simply because of the process described above and of course have a genuine activated copy of either windows 7 or 8.1.
One can of course simply buy a copy but once again when installing the key only needs to typed in on the first install.
Further reading can be found here:
Microsoft quietly rewrites its activation rules for Windows 10 | ZDNet
Today Microsoft announced that users can use their old keys to activate windows 10:
If one now installs Windows 10 (this also applies to Windows 7 and 8.1 too) on a new device you need only input the activation key once. Any installs after that whether they be a clean install or not won't need an activation key. This is because your status is stored on an 'Activation Database'.
Many users who upgraded from Windows 7 or 8.1 will notice their Windows 10 is also activated but no mention of a key.
What happens when you upgrade to Windows 10 is this:
As long as your current install whether it be Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 is genuine and activated then the information regarding the activation will be stored online on the Activation Database.
When you upgrade to Windows 10 the set up will check online about your status and as long as your previous windows is genuine as well as activated a Windows 10 licence is issued. This will also be stored online with your other activation details. Microsoft calls this 'Digital Entitlement'.
Once this information has been stored one can then go right ahead and perform a clean install without having to input an activation key as of course it's stored online. Just keep pressing 'skip' when asked to input a key.
So if you want a free copy of Windows 10 then one must upgrade first of all simply because of the process described above and of course have a genuine activated copy of either windows 7 or 8.1.
One can of course simply buy a copy but once again when installing the key only needs to typed in on the first install.
Further reading can be found here:
Microsoft quietly rewrites its activation rules for Windows 10 | ZDNet
Today Microsoft announced that users can use their old keys to activate windows 10:
ReferenceWe have received a lot of feedback from Insiders on making it easier to activate Windows 10 on devices that take advantage of the free upgrade offer to genuine Windows by using existing Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 product keys. If you install this build of the Windows 10 Insider Preview on a PC and it doesn't automatically activate, you can enter the product key from Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 used to activate the prior Windows version on the same device to activate Windows 10 by going to Settings -> Update & security -> Activation and selecting Change Product Key. If you do a clean install of Windows 10 by booting off the media, you can also enter the product key from prior Windows versions on qualifying devices during setup.
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