Pre-emptive Windows 10 question : reinstalling?

[Dolby]

I'm going to upgrade my legit copy of Windows 7 to Windows 10 when it's out - but come a year down the line, how would I reinstall Windows 10 again?

Would I have to reinstall Windows 7 and upgrade each time?

Or would I download an Windows 10 ISO that my old Windows 7 key would work on?

 

[ponder]

Or would I download an Windows 10 ISO that my old Windows 7 key would work on?

This.

 

[neo_]

Or this: Reinstalling Windows 10 after upgrade

tl;dr: You'll be able to create installation media for the same device. When re-installing, no key will be required as activation is automatic. Installation is tied to your motherboard, and other major components, which allows for the activation process to be seamless.

 

[Y'all Qaeda]

Q: What happens if I change the hardware configuration of my Windows 10 device?

A: If the hardware configuration of your Windows 10 device changes significantly (e.g. motherboard change) Windows may require re-activation on the device. This is the same experience as prior versions of Windows (e.g. Windows 7 and Windows 8.1). The free upgrade offer will not apply to activation of Windows 10 in such scenarios where hardware changes reset Activation

So.. If you upgrade after the year is up. Fork out money? That's a bit of a bait and switch isn't it?

 

[Ho3n3r]

What do I do if I don't want to waste my time installing it just to activate it on my current hardware, only to download the ISO and install it on a formatted drive anyway afterwards?

In other words: I have Windows 8.1. I want to format my PC, and then immediately install Windows 10. How do I do that with no key(only current Windows 8.1 key) and no activation of W10 beforehand? Surely this must be possible, otherwise it's just retarded.

 

[sajunky]

No. don't do that.

 

[agentrfr]

What do I do if I don't want to waste my time installing it just to activate it on my current hardware, only to download the ISO and install it on a formatted drive anyway afterwards?

In other words: I have Windows 8.1. I want to format my PC, and then immediately install Windows 10. How do I do that with no key(only current Windows 8.1 key) and no activation of W10 beforehand? Surely this must be possible, otherwise it's just retarded.

Upgrade from 8.1 to 10, leave it for a day and make sure in System it says activated. Then reformat/reinstall using windows 10 iso, click skip on all bits that ask for a key, get to desktop and login with same Microsoft account and it will activate its self.

 

[techead]

Upgrade from 8.1 to 10, leave it for a day and make sure in System it says activated. Then reformat/reinstall using windows 10 iso, click skip on all bits that ask for a key, get to desktop and login with same Microsoft account and it will activate its self.

This is a given for retail versions, but don't count on it for OEM versions with product key info stored in the BIOS (like a laptop).

 

[agentrfr]

This is a given for retail versions, but don't count on it for OEM versions with product key info stored in the BIOS (like a laptop).

This method worked fine for my PC and Laptops (One of the laptops having an OEM copy of windows)

 

[techead]

This method worked fine for my PC and Laptops (One of the laptops having an OEM copy of windows)

I didn't say it WONT work, I said don't COUNT on it working. There is a difference.

 

[agentrfr]

I didn't say it WONT work, I said don't COUNT on it working. There is a difference.

I know, I was just providing an example of a case where it did

 

[techead]

I know, I was just providing an example of a case where it did

Which is not annoying at all