Windows 10 with a new mobo - what's the final word?

[woodson75]

After reading many articles this morning, I'm still not 100% clear...

Just about to build a new rig. My current one has Windows 10 which was upgraded from my retail box version of Windows 8 Pro. Am I able to download W10 from the Microsoft site and then use my W8 Pro key to activate it on the new machine?

Thanks for any tips on this ongoing question.

 

[mcnumpty23]

not 100% sure

but usually a new motherboard means no

but then you usually go to activate by phone and do the automated thing

or if you get a person explain you replaced the motherboard

windows 10 during install has a i dont have a key option so wont stop you installing it far as i know

 

[USAFRet]

After reading many articles this morning, I'm still not 100% clear...

Just about to build a new rig. My current one has Windows 10 which was upgraded from my retail box version of Windows 8 Pro. Am I able to download W10 from the Microsoft site and then use my W8 Pro key to activate it on the new machine?

Thanks for any tips on this ongoing question.

First off, you now have 2 PC's. You'll need 2 OS's. Unless you are not going to use the old one ever.
Now...is the license for your Win 8 Pro Retail or OEM? Just because you bought it does not automatically mean Retail.

Belarc Advisor can probably discover this for you.

 

[ThatVietGuy]

As of the November update, you can use a Windows 7/8/8.1 key to activate Windows - https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/6815/microsoft-will-now-let-windows-10-upgraders-use-windows-7-8-or-8-1-product-key-to-activate

All you have to do is use the ISO from Microsoft to install Windows 10, run Windows update afterwards, and activate using your Windows 8 key to activate.

I upgraded from my old Ivy Bridge build to Haswell-refresh back in December and this is the process I used.

For reference, I was using an OEM version of Windows 7 Professional and upgraded to Windows 10 Pro using the usual process.