Windows 10 Digital License Question

Appletax

Appletax

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I purchased a used Dell OptiPlex 3020 from eBay for a customer. It came without an HDD and an OS.

Given that it originally came with Windows 8 Pro and most of them sold now have Windows 10 Pro, I installed Windows 10 Pro on an SSD hoping that it would activate.

Settings says that Windows 10 Pro is activated with a digital license.

Question: given that it was activated, does that mean that it once had Windows 10 installed?

BIG question: can I expect Windows 10 to remain activated?

My fear is that it may become inactive at some point.
 
Microsoft states that they will support Windows 10 for the life of the machine. There is no reason to expect that they will pull a license away like that. Microsoft wants everyone on Windows 10 to encourage end users to buy software designed for Windows 10 UDP. Ticking off end users by yanking out the rug is just bad PR. Microsoft isn't that stupid.
Appletax said:
Question: given that it was activated, does that mean that it once had Windows 10 installed?
Click to expand...
Maybe. You get the same response if you just got the upgrade or if you are reinstalling. Despite the fact that the official Windows upgrade program ended in July 2015 Microsoft has still been honoring new upgrades. If you have Windows 7 or 8 and want 10 all you have to do is install it and you will get it.
 
nlinecomputers said:
Microsoft states that they will support Windows 10 for the life of the machine. There is no reason to expect that they will pull a license away like that. Microsoft wants everyone on Windows 10 to encourage end users to buy software designed for Windows 10 UDP. Ticking off end users by yanking out the rug is just bad PR. Microsoft isn't that stupid.

Maybe. You get the same response if you just got the upgrade or if you are reinstalling. Despite the fact that the official Windows upgrade program ended in July 2015 Microsoft has still been honoring new upgrades. If you have Windows 7 or 8 and want 10 all you have to do is install it and you will get it.
Click to expand...

I want to be confident that it says it is activated with a digital license because it was, at one point, upgraded to Windows 10.

I would imagine that if the computer had only had Windows 8 installed prior to me purchasing it (never once had Win 10 installed) that it would NOT be activated.
 
Appletax said:
I would imagine that if the computer had only had Windows 8 installed prior to me purchasing it (never once had Win 10 installed) that it would NOT be activated.
Click to expand...
Sorry to disappoint you but Microsoft still lets you upgrade to Windows 10 for absolutely free.

https://www.howtogeek.com/272201/all-the-ways-you-can-still-get-windows-10-for-free/

http://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade/

Now Microsoft has announced that they plan on ending the upgrade offer that was extended for Assistive Technologies http://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-quietly-announces-end-of-last-free-windows-10-upgrades/

Not that it really mattered as NO ONE who got the upgrade claiming they needed it for assistive technologies didn't already qualify for the free upgrade anyway. That right Microsoft's free give away to blind people helped no one that couldn't get the upgrade anyway. It was and always has been a PR stunt.

Microsoft MIGHT stop offering the upgrade after the first of the year for everyone but that will not have an effect on a license you already have or one you get before the end of the year. And I suspect that Microsoft isn't going to kill the free upgrade at all. It will still continue because Microsoft has no reason to not continue to offer it. And in my opinion, the only reason they are halting the AT upgrade is again a PR stunt. To motivate those who have yet to pull the trigger on the fear that it is going to be withdrawn soon.
 
Appletax said:
I would imagine that if the computer had only had Windows 8 installed prior to me purchasing it (never once had Win 10 installed) that it would NOT be activated.
Click to expand...
Nope, Win10 will go ahead and activate with no input during the installation, provided the Win8.x key is in the BIOS. It skips the licence screen completely. (Personal experience.)
 
On OEM machines its real easy to install/upgrade to Windows 10. And even as a fresh install. Simply use the Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 COA key on the machine. I did this not even 3 days ago. Had an HP with Windows 7 Home Premium, COA sticker right on top. Put in a new SSD to replace the mechanical HDD. Hooked up my iODD with Windows 10 1709 and entered the key from the sticker when prompted. Installed like a champ and immediately activated when connected to the internet.

Microsoft does not care. As long as Windows 10 is on a machine, thats all they are concerned about. Just another customer to push ads too.
 
NJW said:
Nope, Win10 will go ahead and activate with no input during the installation, provided the Win8.x key is in the BIOS. It skips the licence screen completely. (Personal experience.)
Click to expand...

This is my experience as well
 
NJW said:
Win10 will go ahead and activate with no input during the installation, provided the Win8.x key is in the BIOS. It skips the licence screen completely
Click to expand...
That post explains it.

If it hadn't had an upgrade in the past, a new install of Win10 will activate the upgrade license based on the Win8 key embedded in the BIOS. Currently upgrades are still free using this method, or entering a Windows 7 key, or in place upgrades.
 
I didn't use the AT loophole. I just did a standard nuke and pave on the new drive and used their Windows 7 key. That was supposed to have ended year or more ago but it still seems to keep working.
 
ohio_grad_06 said:
I didn't use the AT loophole. I just did a standard nuke and pave on the new drive and used their Windows 7 key. That was supposed to have ended year or more ago but it still seems to keep working.
Click to expand...
You are just now becoming aware of that. It's been a wink and nod known to most techs from the git go. I am surprised that you didn't do so before now.
 
The GWX nags and the forced upgrades ended in July 2015 but not the upgrade itself. Microsoft will not comment to confirm or deny other than to say that any machine that activates is generally considered valid. They are coy about it but the simple truth is that anyone that wants an upgrade and is legally licensed will get one. Even with them stopping AT upgrades I will bet good money that the unspoken upgrade path will continue for as long as 7 and 8 are supported.
 
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