Question about upgrading win7 to win10 in order to get activation key for new pc build?

Inet0

Reputable
May 22, 2015
13
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4,510
Hi, I would like to ask what should I do in following situation:

I have genuine windows 7 right now but in the next week I will be heavily upgrading pc, changing motherboard, many other parts. But I also want a clean install and move to win10. As I've been investigating, I think I could upgrade to win10 for free...

But as I've heard my old win7 can be "bend" to my old motherboard and I don't realy want to install old OS in my new build since I gotta move to SSD.

So could I just upgrade to win 10 now, save my activation key and do that upgrade?
 
Solution
The upgrade expired at the end of July. Unless you upgraded prior to then and have reverted back to W7, you don't have a valid Windows 10 license.

The only way to move to Windows 10 now is to purchase a new license.

You can create the install media here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10ISO
You'll need a USB thumb drive or a disk.

You can install the OS, but you can't activate without a license (your W7 key will not work).

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
The upgrade expired at the end of July. Unless you upgraded prior to then and have reverted back to W7, you don't have a valid Windows 10 license.

The only way to move to Windows 10 now is to purchase a new license.

You can create the install media here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10ISO
You'll need a USB thumb drive or a disk.

You can install the OS, but you can't activate without a license (your W7 key will not work).
 
Solution
what I would do is do all of your hardware updates then do windows 10 upgrade with all new hardware

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgrade?tduid=(14c348e893a91089cb2980533c6ee123)(256380)(2459594)(TnL5HPStwNw-0FBZfNm6YPFXNhiu3o52rA)()
 

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
The accessibility function has been removed, and you'll be prompted for a license key once you download/run.

It was intended for actually users of accessibility programs/features and was being abused by users who missed the upgrade (and have no use for accessibility programs etc).
 
Depending on the Windows 7 license you own, you may need to purchase a new Windows 7 license when you change your
motherboard. OEM licenses do not allow for motherboard changes except in the case of repair where an original motherboard can no longer be acquired.

Since you need to purchase a Windows 10 license anyway, you should perform a fresh installation after the final assembly of your new equipment to avoid your Windows 10 license potentially being bound to your old motherboard.