Swapping Non-genuine Win 8.1 for Genuine Win 10

AbduM1996 · Sep 27, 2015

Hello,

I had to upgrade my old PC (swap out HDD, GPU, etc.), and I installed a non-genuine copy of Win 8.1 because, frankly, I didn't have money left after the upgrades and cloning my old HDD was an absolute PAIN. However, now that I have more money I want to install a genuine copy of Windows, preferably 10. So here are my questions

1- Can I swap out the copy (or maybe activate it somehow) WITHOUT having to install everything back again?
2- Do I have to buy Win 10 or can I buy Win 8 (cheaper) and upgrade, or do I have to own a copy prior to release?
3- If so, how much time is left for the free Win 10 upgrade?
4- Is there a way to buy just a Windows key, without the disc, so I can buy it and install using a mounted .iso on my flash drive?

My main problem here is not buying Windows, it's avoiding the hassle of having to install EVERYTHING again.

Thank you!

Ubrales · Sep 27, 2015

First make sure that your computer is capable of running Windows 10 (drivers). Some of the older computers do not have drivers for Win 10.

After that, if things look OK, it is better to buy the new Win 10 license and install it along with installing your programs.

basroil · Sep 27, 2015

1- Not legally with an upgrade license
2- You can buy a legal retail or OEM (but not upgrade) Windows 8.1 license, activate it (you don't have to reinstall unless changing the version, i.e. Home to Pro or Enterprise to Pro)
3- You have about 11mo remaining to upgrade
4- You can buy a license directly from Microsoft (and amazon/newegg). You should never mount an ISO on a flash drive though, instead use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to make a proper installer file.

Your best solution is to buy a key for the version you have already on your system, then change the product key in the "System" menu of the control panel. You WILL need to conduct proper antivirus scans, and then upgrade to Windows 10 and delete the old version as soon as you can just in case.

AbduM1996 · Sep 27, 2015

basroil :

1- Not legally with an upgrade license
2- You can buy a legal retail or OEM (but not upgrade) Windows 8.1 license, activate it (you don't have to reinstall unless changing the version, i.e. Home to Pro or Enterprise to Pro)
3- You have about 11mo remaining to upgrade
4- You can buy a license directly from Microsoft (and amazon/newegg). You should never mount an ISO on a flash drive though, instead use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to make a proper installer file.

Your best solution is to buy a key for the version you have already on your system, then change the product key in the "System" menu of the control panel. You WILL need to conduct proper antivirus scans, and then upgrade to Windows 10 and delete the old version as soon as you can just in case.

Awesome answer. But what do you mean by "deleting the old version"? Thanks a bunch!

basroil · Sep 27, 2015

When you update to Windows 10 you will have the old Windows 8.1 files left over inside the Windows.old folder. Simply run disk cleanup utility and get rid of it.

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Swapping Non-genuine Win 8.1 for Genuine Win 10

AbduM1996

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AbduM1996

Reputable

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