Free upgrade to windows 10?

Nudgez · Sep 30, 2016

Hello, could someone help had a free upgrade to windows 10 from 7 few months back then decided to do a fresh install of windows 7 did all the updates but it hasn't come up for the upgrade to windows 10 this time is it possible to get it again? thanks.

13thmonkey · Sep 30, 2016

you should have just installed 10 straight away, not 7 to 10.

rgd1101 · Sep 30, 2016

you don't need to upgrade from 7. download windows 10 iso from microsoft and install windows 10

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

hdmark · Sep 30, 2016

i don't think the free upgrade is still active? i think you might have to buy a copy of 10.
or do you mean you already went to 10, then brought it back to 7 and now want to go back to 10?

bigpinkdragon286 · Sep 30, 2016

If you previously performed the upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 that was offered free for a limited time from Microsoft, and have not since changed motherboards, your hardware configuration should be listed on a Microsoft server as having a valid Windows 10 license, and upon reinstallation of Windows 10, either through an in-place upgrade or a clean install, should activate. Rolling your system back to Windows 7 did not invalidate your free Windows 10 license.

The recommended approach is a clean installation of Windows 10, using source media from one of the above links. In-place upgrades have historically been plagued by numerous issues and are generally recommended against when possible.

An initial in-place upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 was necessary to register your computer's hardware configuration with Microsoft's registration system. Since that's been completed, you now have both in-place and stand alone installation methods available to you.

captaincharisma · Sep 30, 2016

hdmark :

the OP already stated he took the free free upgrade before. as long as it is the same computer it will still be valid and will activate once it connects to the internet after the install

Nudgez · Sep 30, 2016

ah okay thanks for the help guys

n0ns3ns3 · Sep 30, 2016

If you have problem with windows 10 fresh install after all for some reason,
you can try to upgrade for free using accessibility path.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgrade

captaincharisma · Sep 30, 2016

n0ns3ns3 :

for anyone wondering i can confirm this still works. i was able to do a free upgrade with this on a laptop last week

bigpinkdragon286 · Sep 30, 2016

Using a loophole is outside the terms of Microsoft's grant of license and an abuse of the system in place.

"For the general public, the free upgrade offer for Windows 10 ends on July 29. However, if you use assistive technologies, you can still get the free upgrade offer even after the general public deadline expires as Microsoft continues our efforts to improve the Windows 10 experience for people who use these technologies."

13thmonkey · Sep 30, 2016

bigpinkdragon286 :

please read the question, he's already upgraded, he just installed 7 first when he should have gone straight to 10.

n0ns3ns3 · Sep 30, 2016

bigpinkdragon286 :

And technically speaking there is nothing wrong with going this way and completely legal.
You are using assistive technologies (to get your upgrade)

Colif · Sep 30, 2016

When he first upgraded to win 10 on the PC he received a digital entitlement to always install win 10 on that PC again. He doesn't need to use the loophole, provided PC is the same now he can just fresh install win 10 and when he gets to part of installer asking for a code, he clicks "I don't have one" and win 10 should auto activate itself when installed.

13thmonkey · Sep 30, 2016

n0ns3ns3 :

bigpinkdragon286 :

And technically speaking there is nothing wrong with going this way and completely legal.
You are using assistive technologies (to get your upgrade)

unless you don't need assistive technologies.

captaincharisma · Sep 30, 2016

Colif :

even if there were problems you can use the validation troubleshooter MS released with the anniversary update

Colif · Sep 30, 2016

It seems you even have to have 1607 installed before Microsoft will help you with phone calls now too. So make sure to use Windows 10 media creation tool to make USB and you have latest version

bigpinkdragon286 · Sep 30, 2016

13thmonkey :

Not sure why you're quoting my post here as I already realize the OP has a valid digital entitlement for Windows 10, unless he has changed motherboards since then, at which point whether he has a digital entitlement will depend on which Windows 7 license he had, as the license on the free copy of Windows 10 carries the same restrictions as the license being upgraded from. My initial post reflects that.

The quote in my second post is from Microsoft, and comment aimed at the folks going around telling people they can still upgrade freely via the assistive technologies loophole.

Colif · Sep 30, 2016

Since version 1607 of Win 10 you can swap motherboards and still remain activated, meaning no new licence needed. Admittedly, if he did swap motherboard between now and then he would have to contact Microsoft and see if they reactivate it for him, but after 1607 you can swap every part of PC out without worrying about reactivation - there may be a limit to how much can be swapped but I have yet to hear of anyone deactivating since. I am sure I will, sitting on these forums.

13thmonkey · Sep 30, 2016

Colif :

how do they know it's you?

rgd1101 · Sep 30, 2016

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html
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