C
Charlie_Murphy
Guest
I work in the IT department for a local government. During the initial release of Windows 10, we upgraded as many PC’s as we could during the one year free period. We still had a number of PC’s that could not be upgraded at the time due to software compatibility issues. With those problems resolved, we want to move forward an upgrade the remaining PC’s to from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 10. All of the PC’s were originally purchased with Windows 7 Pro preinstalled, each with it's own Win 7 key.
Last week as a test, we took one of the PC’s and by going to the Microsoft Media Creation Tool website, clicked on the Update Now link. Ultimately, not only did the PC upgrade to Windows 10 Pro, but it activated. Under Settings – Update & Security – Activation, it states Windows is activated with a digital license. We also had success with activation by creating the Windows 10 ISO and installing from the DVD on another PC to upgrade from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 10. Essentially both of these appeared to be free upgrades.
I did open a chat session in which the technician explained that we could move forward with the Windows 10 upgrades on those PC’s and expect them to activate for free. However if after that activation there is a hardware change, Windows 10 will not reactivate without purchasing a new key. If this is true, is there a document we can obtain to back that up? We simply want to be certain we remain compliant with the policies regarding the OS and upgrades. Many of these PC’s will likely be replaced next year, but we want to get them off of Windows 7 as soon as possible.
As this is a local government, we would just like some clarification on whether we can continue to expect our future Windows 10 upgrades from Windows 7 Pro to activate for free or do we need to purchase the Windows 10 upgrade licenses? Again, these are valid individual Windows 7 Pro licenses OEM preinstalled that we are upgrading to Windows 10 Pro and not part of any VLA. I would just like to be pointed to the policies covering how the upgrades, activations and licensing work.
Thanks.
More...
Last week as a test, we took one of the PC’s and by going to the Microsoft Media Creation Tool website, clicked on the Update Now link. Ultimately, not only did the PC upgrade to Windows 10 Pro, but it activated. Under Settings – Update & Security – Activation, it states Windows is activated with a digital license. We also had success with activation by creating the Windows 10 ISO and installing from the DVD on another PC to upgrade from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 10. Essentially both of these appeared to be free upgrades.
I did open a chat session in which the technician explained that we could move forward with the Windows 10 upgrades on those PC’s and expect them to activate for free. However if after that activation there is a hardware change, Windows 10 will not reactivate without purchasing a new key. If this is true, is there a document we can obtain to back that up? We simply want to be certain we remain compliant with the policies regarding the OS and upgrades. Many of these PC’s will likely be replaced next year, but we want to get them off of Windows 7 as soon as possible.
As this is a local government, we would just like some clarification on whether we can continue to expect our future Windows 10 upgrades from Windows 7 Pro to activate for free or do we need to purchase the Windows 10 upgrade licenses? Again, these are valid individual Windows 7 Pro licenses OEM preinstalled that we are upgrading to Windows 10 Pro and not part of any VLA. I would just like to be pointed to the policies covering how the upgrades, activations and licensing work.
Thanks.
More...
