Clean install of windows 10 using windows 8.1 key after upgrading current hardware.

[Zalkard]

I'm sure this has been asked many, many times but I'm receiving my new hardware tomorrow and am planning to put a clean install of windows 10 on it. My current PC is running windows 8.1 and I am able to upgrade to 10 right now but I have not yet upgraded my PC to windows 10 yet since getting the option to upgrade. So in short, I'm wondering if I can use my windows 8.1 license key on a clean install of windows 10 after upgrading the hardware on it, or that I'd have to install windows 8.1 onto it first and then upgrading to windows 10.

Thanks!

 

[why_wolf]

you can just punch in your CD key on the clean install. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Nice tutorial on tenforums site

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html


Also make sure to stop Win10 from installing hardware drivers
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/15989-device-driver-automatic-installation-turn-off-windows-10-a.html

To stop most of Win10s tracking
https://www.safer-networking.org/spybot-anti-beacon/

If OS is OEM, the success of your upgrade will depend on whether new hardware is similar enough to old. If you use same brand MoBo, your likelihood of success is much higher. I have upgraded 3 systems (MoBo & CPU) from 1156 to 1155 w/o any activation problems using same brand MoBos.

 

[unksol]

If you have an OEM version of 8.1 and are changing the motherboard you need a new license

 

[Tom Tancredi]

I'm sure this has been asked many, many times but I'm receiving my new hardware tomorrow and am planning to put a clean install of windows 10 on it. My current PC is running windows 8.1 and I am able to upgrade to 10 right now but I have not yet upgraded my PC to windows 10 yet since getting the option to upgrade. So in short, I'm wondering if I can use my windows 8.1 license key on a clean install of windows 10 after upgrading the hardware on it, or that I'd have to install windows 8.1 onto it first and then upgrading to windows 10.

Thanks!

From MY experience during the changes they did to this very same issue when W10 was first released to now is; your BEST answer is " install windows 8.1 onto it first and then upgrading to windows 10." IF and ONLY IF this is a store bought copy of W8.1 NOT a copy that came with your Dell/HP/etc. (aka OEM edition). OEM licensing is tied ONLY to the original hardware it was sold with PERIOD. There is no way around it, if you change (you didn't specify what the "new hardware" is) the CPU, Motherboard, and sometime the PSU/Case itself it detects the hardware as 'different' and says WAIT that isn't right! And then tells you your copy of Windows isn't valid, won't repair, won't reinstall, etc.

If your good, then install W8.1 first, just get a wired connection to your Internet first, download all the patches and updates to make it 'qualified' when W10 pops up and do the install. Honestly, unless your changing the hardware that much (as I pointed out) is the only time for a clean install, I wouldn't bother otherwise (again based on WHAT is the new hardware) and just do the upgrade now and install the new hardware afterwards (i.e. new Soundcard, new Video card, etc.).

 

[Zalkard]

you can just punch in your CD key on the clean install. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Does it matter that the motherboard and CPU is being upgraded?

 

[Zalkard]

I'm sure this has been asked many, many times but I'm receiving my new hardware tomorrow and am planning to put a clean install of windows 10 on it. My current PC is running windows 8.1 and I am able to upgrade to 10 right now but I have not yet upgraded my PC to windows 10 yet since getting the option to upgrade. So in short, I'm wondering if I can use my windows 8.1 license key on a clean install of windows 10 after upgrading the hardware on it, or that I'd have to install windows 8.1 onto it first and then upgrading to windows 10.

Thanks!

From MY experience during the changes they did to this very same issue when W10 was first released to now is; your BEST answer is " install windows 8.1 onto it first and then upgrading to windows 10." IF and ONLY IF this is a store bought copy of W8.1 NOT a copy that came with your Dell/HP/etc. (aka OEM edition). OEM licensing is tied ONLY to the original hardware it was sold with PERIOD. There is no way around it, if you change (you didn't specify what the "new hardware" is) the CPU, Motherboard, and sometime the PSU/Case itself it detects the hardware as 'different' and says WAIT that isn't right! And then tells you your copy of Windows isn't valid, won't repair, won't reinstall, etc.

If your good, then install W8.1 first, just get a wired connection to your Internet first, download all the patches and updates to make it 'qualified' when W10 pops up and do the install. Honestly, unless your changing the hardware that much (as I pointed out) is the only time for a clean install, I wouldn't bother otherwise (again based on WHAT is the new hardware) and just do the upgrade now and install the new hardware afterwards (i.e. new Soundcard, new Video card, etc.).

I'm upgrading the motherboard, the CPU and the RAM. I have a store bought copy of windows 8.1 and have not yet utilised the free upgrade to windows 10. So I should just install windows 8.1 onto it and then upgrade to windows 10 from that? I have had many bad experiences with PCs upgrading to windows 10 instead of a clean install. Freezing/crashing, instability etc. That's why I would prefer to just install windows 10 directly onto a formatted disk.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

IF and ONLY IF this is a store bought copy of W8.1 NOT a copy that came with your Dell/HP/etc. (aka OEM edition). OEM licensing is tied ONLY to the original hardware it was sold with PERIOD. There is no way around it, if you change (you didn't specify what the "new hardware" is) the CPU, Motherboard, and sometime the PSU/Case itself it detects the hardware as 'different' and says WAIT that isn't right! And then tells you your copy of Windows isn't valid, won't repair, won't reinstall, etc.

I'm erasing your PERIOD as I have been there, done that ... over and over again. The success of your activation depends upon how many things are changed. Having done the 3 upgrades above that involved both CPU and MoBo changes, this is clearly not the case. If you are coming from a store bought Dell / HP it is more difficult but by no means impossible (as in the case if component failure) .. again, been there, done that. But any store bought PC from a small market vendor / mom and pop or self built box and a separate OEM COPY of Windows 8, it is no problem.

http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-the-new-windows-8-license-terms-affect-you/#!

Italicized wording from licene agreement

There is no limit on the number of times you may do this type of transfer, providing you follow the rules I describe later in this section. That means hobbyists who like to tinker with PCs can relax. If you buy a System Builder copy, you can move (not share) that license from an old PC to a new one.

You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software.

In either case, one ironclad rule applies:

Anytime you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer.

I'm upgrading the motherboard, the CPU and the RAM. I have a store bought copy of windows 8.1 and have not yet utilised the free upgrade to windows 10. So I should just install windows 8.1 onto it and then upgrade to windows 10 from that? I have had many bad experiences with PCs upgrading to windows 10 instead of a clean install. Freezing/crashing, instability etc. That's why I would prefer to just install windows 10 directly onto a formatted disk.

Again, if the software came in its own package / download regardless of whether it is a retail / OEM copy, you're good to go

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-windows_install/a-clean-install-of-windows-8-oem-media-download/1b1e2517-5658-450d-943e-7e81f902adec.

The upgrade process invariably leaved flotsam and jetsam behind ... see the tenforums link .. there's no issue here.

 

[Zalkard]

I'm genuinely confused now and have no idea what I should be doing to get windows 10 on the pc with a new motherboard using my windows 8/8.1 license key. Will I keep my windows 8/8.1 license key after having done the free upgrade to windows 10. Will I have a windows 10 license to use if I were to change my motherboard and cpu again in the future or will I have been robbed of any of my windows licenses?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Didn't you say that your Windows media / download come in a separate package ? You said you bought it in a store. Have you read the EULA ?

Start here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/useterms

To get here:

http://download.microsoft.com/Documents/UseTerms/Windows_8.1_English_feebacaf-76be-455c-9f5e-56960489635b.pdf

Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key, and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Every time you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers. You may transfer Get Genuine Windows software, Pro Pack or Media Center Pack software only together with the licensed computer.

or

http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/10837-windows-8-eula.html


Have you visited the tenforums link above ... entire site is dedicated to Windows10

 

[Zalkard]

Didn't you say that your Windows media / download come in a separate package ? You said you bought it in a store. Have you read the EULA ?

Start here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/useterms

To get here:

http://download.microsoft.com/Documents/UseTerms/Windows_8.1_English_feebacaf-76be-455c-9f5e-56960489635b.pdf

Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key, and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Every time you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers. You may transfer Get Genuine Windows software, Pro Pack or Media Center Pack software only together with the licensed computer.

or

http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/10837-windows-8-eula.html


Have you visited the tenforums link above ... entire site is dedicated to Windows10

Yeah it was bought separately from everything else. Are the use terms of the free windows 10 upgrade the same as the ones of 8.1?

 

[Tom Tancredi]

<<SNIP for brevity>>
I'm upgrading the motherboard, the CPU and the RAM. I have a store bought copy of windows 8.1 ... I would prefer to just install windows 10 directly onto a formatted disk.

As your changing two key components (Mobo / CPU) then yes your right. Otherwise I haven't had in the ... uhmm... 100+ upgrades I have done had that bad experiance upgrading. But as you said, I also mentioned in my first response, yes in this case a clean install is the best preferred solution.

 

[pug_s]

Windows 10 is married to your motherboard. If your motherboard was swapped out for some reason, even if it is the same model, you will have to acquire a license for it.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Windows 10 is married to your motherboard. If your motherboard was swapped out for some reason, even if it is the same model, you will have to acquire a license for it.

Doesn't anyone read the EULA anymore ?

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Useterms/Retail/Windows/10/UseTerms_Retail_Windows_10_English.htm

If you acquired the software as stand-alone software (and also if you upgraded from software you acquired as stand-alone software), you may transfer the software to another device that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software to a device owned by someone else if (i) you are the first licensed user of the software and (ii) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Every time you transfer the software to a new device, you must remove the software from the prior device. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between devices.