Redeem my Windows 10 upgrade from Windows 7 product keys

Do unused Windows licenses qualify for the free upgrade to Windows 10?

No. In order to qualify for the free upgrade, Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 with Update 1 must be installed and running. Unused licenses do not qualify. How to reserve your free upgrade to Windows 10

So you are saying that the retail win 7 pro sp1 cd+licenses (32 and 64 bit) i have and have not installed yet... {still building my new pc's [handicapped vet supporting family pc's] } will not qualify for free win 10 upgrade....

- or -

after i finish the build and install them then get them validated online will the upgrade app load... 

       if so how long will the free upgrade app be deployed so i have a time line to get the pc's built and

       win 7 pro installed and validated..... 

- or - 

would it possibly be best if i finish 1 build and use it to install win 7 pro sp1 on each hard drive of the other pc's - validate then upgrade... 

I have also heard that the install will be locked to the current hardware configuration at the time of the install/validation.....

Clarification please....

RD_Hoyt

So you are saying that the retail win 7 pro sp1 cd+licenses (32 and 64 bit) i have and have not installed yet... {still building my new pc's [handicapped vet supporting family pc's] } will not qualify for free win 10 upgrade....

That is correct.

- or -

after i finish the build and install them then get them validated online will the upgrade app load... 

       if so how long will the free upgrade app be deployed so i have a time line to get the pc's built and

       win 7 pro installed and validated..... 

That is correct, you have one year to get it starting July 29th 2015.

- or - 

would it possibly be best if i finish 1 build and use it to install win 7 pro sp1 on each hard drive of the other pc's - validate then upgrade... 

Please explain what you mean? Because the upgrade is tied to the device it is installed on. So if you have more than one Windows 7 license not in use, they must each be installed in order to qualify.

I have also heard that the install will be locked to the current hardware configuration at the time of the install/validation.....

When I upgrade a preinstalled (OEM) or retail version of Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 license to Windows 10, does that license remain OEM or become a retail license?

If you upgrade from a OEM or retail version of Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 to the free Windows 10 upgrade this summer, the license is consumed into it. Because the free upgrade is derived from the base qualifying license, Windows 10 will carry that licensing too.

If you upgrade from a retail version, it carries the rights of a retail version.

If you upgrade from a OEM version, it carries the rights of a OEM version.

Full version (Retail):

- Includes transfer rights to another computer.

- Doesn't require a previous qualifying version of Windows.

- Expensive

Upgrade version (Retail):

- Includes transfer rights to another computer.

- require a previous qualifying version of Windows.

- Expensive, but cheaper than full version

OEM :

OEM versions of Windows are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system

What happens if I change my motherboard?

As it pertains to the OEM licenses this will invalidate the Windows 10 upgrade license because it will no longer have a previous base qualifying license which is required for the free upgrade. You will then have to purchase a full retail Windows 10 license. If the base qualifying license (Windows 7 or Windows 8.1) was a full retail version, then yes, you can transfer it.

15. UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from

Clarification please....

RD_Hoyt

These are absolutely ridiculous stipulations. Microsoft has been talking about free upgrades for almost six months now and it turns out that we aren't really getting free upgrades. A free upgrade would be transferring a Windows 7 or 8.1 license key to a Windows 10 key and that would be the end of it.

From my understanding, the whole point of offering Windows 10 for free to consumers was to get everyone on the same OS which ensures everyone has access to the latest security patches and the app store. This is supposed to bring everyone up to date, but it is becoming a frustrating experience where I feel locked down. I'm not allowed to upgrade my computer now? What if my motherboard dies, does that $50 replacement now cost $300 because both Windows 7 and Windows 10 are invalidated? That is simply shameful. At this rate, it's simply not safe to upgrade to Windows 10.

I'm planning on building up an old XP computer to newer specs, is there any way I can use the license from a Windows 7 computer to install Windows 10 on the XP?

If the license is Retail yes, if its OEM no.

Its OEM, so I guess I'll have to buy a license.

However, if I had a retail key, would I have been able to keep Windows 7 operational on one computer and install Windows 10 on the other?

Its OEM, so I guess I'll have to buy a license.

However, if I had a retail key, would I have been able to keep Windows 7 operational on one computer and install Windows 10 on the other?

Just install Windows 10 Insider Build 10130 on the new computer if you are going to make it before the release date of Windows 10. Microsoft's representative Gabriel Aul stated there will be no cutoff for Windows Insiders and that they will reach the RTM.

- or - 

would it possibly be best if i finish 1 build and use it to install win 7 pro sp1 on each hard drive of the other pc's - validate then upgrade... 

Please explain what you mean? Because the upgrade is tied to the device it is installed on. So if you have more than one Windows 7 license not in use, they must each be installed in order to qualify.

I have RETAIL win pro disks - build out 1 pc - use this pc, add the hard drives for the un-built pcs - install and validate each win 7 pro license on the drive - get the multitude of updates installed [I assume the upgrade app is one of the updates] - register the hard drive for win 10 and put the drive aside until I build the pc that it will be installed in...

7/4/15

also will the upgrade follow my current pro version or will it downgrade to home....   reservation app indicates price as 119 free - home full license....