How much hardware can I change...

... without needing to buy a new license?

I have a DIY machine on which I had Retail Win7 Pro, and I got the free
upgrade to Win10 Pro.

If I replace the motherboard by one that takes the same CPU and RAM but
allows that RAM to run at a higher speed -- and move the CPU and RAM and
disks to that new motherboard -- will I have to buy a new license? The
chipset is the same on both motherboards, so the disk and graphics
interfaces are the same. I was not using the onboard NIC, so the
different MAC address on the replacement board should not be a factor;
I'll disable the onboard NIC on the new motherboard anyway.

Or, since it was a Retail version of Win 7 Pro, is there even any need
to switch the original (identical -- except for Serial#, I assume) CPU
to the new motherboard?

Perce

Percival P. Cassidy wrote:
.. without needing to buy a new license?

I have a DIY machine on which I had Retail Win7 Pro, and I got the free
upgrade to Win10 Pro.

If I replace the motherboard by one that takes the same CPU and RAM but
allows that RAM to run at a higher speed -- and move the CPU and RAM and
disks to that new motherboard -- will I have to buy a new license? The
chipset is the same on both motherboards, so the disk and graphics
interfaces are the same. I was not using the onboard NIC, so the
different MAC address on the replacement board should not be a factor;
I'll disable the onboard NIC on the new motherboard anyway.

Or, since it was a Retail version of Win 7 Pro, is there even any need
to switch the original (identical -- except for Serial#, I assume) CPU
to the new motherboard?


Someone here was able switch an HDD from an old PC to a new build without
needing to get a new licence. I'm not sure he even needed re-activate.

I don't think you need to worry.

On Fri, 3 Aug 2018 11:58:12 -0400, "Percival P. Cassidy"
wrote:

.. without needing to buy a new license?

I have a DIY machine on which I had Retail Win7 Pro, and I got the free
upgrade to Win10 Pro.

If I replace the motherboard by one that takes the same CPU and RAM but
allows that RAM to run at a higher speed -- and move the CPU and RAM and
disks to that new motherboard -- will I have to buy a new license? The
chipset is the same on both motherboards, so the disk and graphics
interfaces are the same. I was not using the onboard NIC, so the
different MAC address on the replacement board should not be a factor;
I'll disable the onboard NIC on the new motherboard anyway.

Or, since it was a Retail version of Win 7 Pro, is there even any need
to switch the original (identical -- except for Serial#, I assume) CPU
to the new motherboard?


Since it was a retail version, you can change all the hardware you
want. You can even replace the entire computer. The only restriction
on hardware is on OEM versions.

On 08/03/2018 02:16 PM, Ken Blake wrote:

.. without needing to buy a new license?

I have a DIY machine on which I had Retail Win7 Pro, and I got the free
upgrade to Win10 Pro.

If I replace the motherboard by one that takes the same CPU and RAM but
allows that RAM to run at a higher speed -- and move the CPU and RAM and
disks to that new motherboard -- will I have to buy a new license? The
chipset is the same on both motherboards, so the disk and graphics
interfaces are the same. I was not using the onboard NIC, so the
different MAC address on the replacement board should not be a factor;
I'll disable the onboard NIC on the new motherboard anyway.

Or, since it was a Retail version of Win 7 Pro, is there even any need
to switch the original (identical -- except for Serial#, I assume) CPU
to the new motherboard?

Since it was a retail version, you can change all the hardware you
want. You can even replace the entire computer. The only restriction
on hardware is on OEM versions.

I knew that was true of Retail versions of earlier generations of
Windows, but I didn't know whether the free Win10 upgrade still had the
"Retail" characteristic of the original.

Perce

Percival P. Cassidy wrote:

.. without needing to buy a new license?

I have a DIY machine on which I had Retail Win7 Pro, and I got the free
upgrade to Win10 Pro.

If I replace the motherboard by one that takes the same CPU and RAM but
allows that RAM to run at a higher speed -- and move the CPU and RAM and
disks to that new motherboard -- will I have to buy a new license? The
chipset is the same on both motherboards, so the disk and graphics
interfaces are the same. I was not using the onboard NIC, so the
different MAC address on the replacement board should not be a factor;
I'll disable the onboard NIC on the new motherboard anyway.

Or, since it was a Retail version of Win 7 Pro, is there even any need
to switch the original (identical -- except for Serial#, I assume) CPU
to the new motherboard?

I was told by others here that since the Anniversary version of Windows
10 the product license no longer need to be stored in a Microsoft
account. When I did the Win7 to Win10 free upgrade (after first saving
a backup image of Win7, do the Win10 upgrade, save a backup image of
that, and restore back to the Win7 image), I was prompted to save the
license into my Microsoft account (I already had a Hotmail account which
means I had a Microsoft account). The idea is that the license was
tracked by your account, so you could reinstall using THAT license.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/micros...ersary-update/

This new feature doesn't change the fundamental way that Microsoft's
activation servers work. The process of activating Windows relies on a
unique installation ID, which is based on a hash of information taken
from the hardware on which Windows is installed. That hash is
reportedly not reversible and is not tied to any other Microsoft
services. It identifies a specific device, not a person.

What folks here were stating differed since the Anniversary edition was
Microsoft started using "entitlement" scheme. That tracked the hardware
fingerprint aka hardware ID aka hardware hash to the digital license.
Well, it seems without an account for tracking to *whom* a license was
assigned means the hardware ID to license tracking scheme allows only
reinstallation of the license on the same hardware. All they've got is
a fingerprint of your hardware at the time of activation and nothing
about to whom the license was assigned.

If you wipe that hard disk completely, boot from Windows 10
installation media, and install a clean copy, Windows tries to
activate automatically, using an installation ID that it sends to the
Windows activation servers. Because the underlying hardware hasn't
changed, the installation ID is identical to one stored in the
activation database, and the digital license is activated
automatically.

If all you have for registering your license is via their entitlement
scheme, you're stuck with that license on THAT hardware (with some minor
changes allowed, like memory, disks, and video card but mobo or CPU
changes will generate a new fingerprint).

Apparently you can use Microsoft's Activation Troubleshooter to move a
Windows 10 license to new hardware; however, the licenses must be
associated to a Microsoft account so they can track *who* has which
license (along with the hardware fingerprint).

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...troubleshooter

With entitlement where only the hardware ID and license are associated
to each other, I can't see how Microsoft could tell *you* were moving
the license to different hardware because they wouldn't know who you
are. They won't know you, so they won't know you have a license. The
"who" isn't recorded in an entitlement. When the license is associated
to a Microsoft account is when they know who you are for a which
license.

They'll allow moving the license if they know who you are even if the
hardware fingerprint changes; i.e., if the licensee is known, they'll
allow an update to the hardware fingerprint associated to the license.
If you are unknown, then the license is locked to the original hardware
fingerprint.

Perce

Not Percy or Val?

Percival P. Cassidy wrote:
.. without needing to buy a new license?

I have a DIY machine on which I had Retail Win7 Pro, and I got the free
upgrade to Win10 Pro.

If I replace the motherboard by one that takes the same CPU and RAM but
allows that RAM to run at a higher speed -- and move the CPU and RAM and
disks to that new motherboard -- will I have to buy a new license? The
chipset is the same on both motherboards, so the disk and graphics
interfaces are the same. I was not using the onboard NIC, so the
different MAC address on the replacement board should not be a factor;
I'll disable the onboard NIC on the new motherboard anyway.

Or, since it was a Retail version of Win 7 Pro, is there even any need
to switch the original (identical -- except for Serial#, I assume) CPU
to the new motherboard?

Retail shouldn't be a problem, but it might ask you to reactivate
though. I think I read that you might have to call MS if you do it too
many times?

OEM won't let you swap hardwares like that from what I was told.
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On 3 Aug 2018 11:16:49 GMT, Ken Blake wrote:

Since it was a retail version, you can change all the hardware you
want. You can even replace the entire computer. The only restriction
on hardware is on OEM versions.

I have a few machines which are hand me downs where they all started life
as Windows something else other than 10.

I'm sure they're all the "free upgrade" of some sort.

Is there an easy way to tell if they're retail versions or not?

Arlen Holder wrote:
On 3 Aug 2018 11:16:49 GMT, Ken Blake wrote:

Since it was a retail version, you can change all the hardware you
want. You can even replace the entire computer. The only restriction
on hardware is on OEM versions.

I have a few machines which are hand me downs where they all started life
as Windows something else other than 10.

I'm sure they're all the "free upgrade" of some sort.

Is there an easy way to tell if they're retail versions or not?

There's this one. I've not used it.

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/showk...uct-key-finder

Paul

On Fri, 3 Aug 2018 11:58:12 -0400, "Percival P. Cassidy"
wrote:

.. without needing to buy a new license?

I changed everything except the case, power supply and the HDD with
the OS on it. Before it settled down it asked if I had changed
components. Answering yes the system was activated on my digital
entitlement.

On 3 Aug 2018 20:17:56 GMT, Paul wrote:

Is there an easy way to tell if they're retail versions or not?

There's this one. I've not used it.

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/showk...uct-key-finder

Thanks Paul,

ShowKeyPlus
https://www.tenforums.com/software-apps/2577-showkeyplus.html

Running Showkeyplus on two handmedown machines, I get this:
==================================================
ShowKeyPlus - Windows Product Key Information
Product Name: Windows 10 Pro
Product ID: 00330-80000-00000-AA310
Installed Key: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
OEM Key: OEM key not present in firmware
==================================================
ShowKeyPlus - Windows Product Key Information
Product Name: Windows 10 Pro
Product ID: 00330-80000-00000-AA655
Installed Key: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
Original Key: This seems to show an original key
Original Edition: Windows 7 Ultimate Retail
OEM Key: Windows 7 OEM marker present in firmware
==================================================
Googling that information, I found this rather nice chart:
http://www.carriereducation.com/Windows_Help_10/Windows_Help_01_PK.html
x. Product-ID,Product-Key,Product-Name,Computer-Name,Windows10-Version
1. 00359-031-3496312-85598,XT7RD-2K8YT-H7D99-VDC7V-B94TR,Windows 7 Home Premium,STUDIO-PC,unknown
2. 00371-OEM-9045485-63219,C622Q-FH6G4-RYT34-TMK6Q-VV3JK,Windows 7 Pro,INTREX3-PC,Windows 10 Pro
3. 00359-OEM-8992687-00057,6B88K-KCCWY-4F8HK-M4P73-W8DQG,Windows 7 Home Premium,TOSHIBA7-PC,unknown
4. 00330-80000-00000-AA138,VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T,Windows 7 Pro,SURFACE3-PC,Windows 10 Pro
5. 00359-OEM-8992687-00010,4FG99-BC3HD-73CQT-WMF7J-3Q6C9,Windows 7 Home Premium,STUDIOB-HPB,Windows 10 Home
6. 00359-OEM-8992687-00118,7JQWQ-K6KWQ-BJD6C-K3YVH-DVQJG,Windows 7 Home Premium,ASUS7-PC,unknown
7. 00359-OEM-9817433-34700,3YPBP-RM767-KK9DD-CQ73G-99HHJ,Windows 7 Home Premium,STUDIO3-PC,Windows 10 Home
8. 00359-031-3496321-85012,B24KB-WXY6G-YQC2D-MBDFY-QKTKY,Windows 7 Home Premium,OVERTURE5-PC,Windows 10 Home
9. 55041-090-4543147-86121,unknown,Windows 7 Pro,TOSHIBA-PC,Windows 10 Pro
10. 55041-090-4543147-86046,BFGKY-WHFTC-YGHB2-FVT76-47V33,Windows 7 Home Premium,LENOVO1-PC,unknown
11. 55041-091-9407447-86088,QJNXR-YD97Q-K7WH4-RYWQ8-6MT6Y,Windows 7 Pro-32bit,OVERTURE99-PC, unknown
12. 00359-OEM-8992687-00007,2QDBX-9T8HR-2QWT6-HCQXJ-9YQTR,Windows 7 Home Premium,ASUS1-PC,unknown
13. 00362-10000-06502-AA715,8N67H-M3CY9-QT7C4-2TR7M-TXYCV,Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview,ASUS3-PC,Windows 10 Pro

Do you concur with my assumption that the first handmedown
likely has the free upgrade on an OEM installation, while the
second handmedown seems to have a free upgrade on the full
retail version of Windows 7 Ultimate Retail?

If so, does the second handmedown give greater rights to me for
reconfiguration of the motherboard/memory/discs, etc., as someone
alluded to elsewhere in this thread?

Arlen Holder wrote:


If so, does the second handmedown give greater rights to me for
reconfiguration of the motherboard/memory/discs, etc., as someone
alluded to elsewhere in this thread?

Original Key: This seems to show an original key
Original Edition: Windows 7 Ultimate Retail

I presume so. It suggests the OS can be moved
from machine to machine, as long as only one
copy runs at a time.

The 3V66T key is generic, and doesn't tell you
anything about what Windows 10 understands
about the qualifying OS. The details would be
recorded on the Microsoft end.

Paul

On 8/3/18 1:13 PM, Chris wrote:

.. without needing to buy a new license?

I have a DIY machine on which I had Retail Win7 Pro, and I got the free
upgrade to Win10 Pro.

If I replace the motherboard by one that takes the same CPU and RAM but
allows that RAM to run at a higher speed -- and move the CPU and RAM and
disks to that new motherboard -- will I have to buy a new license? The
chipset is the same on both motherboards, so the disk and graphics
interfaces are the same. I was not using the onboard NIC, so the
different MAC address on the replacement board should not be a factor;
I'll disable the onboard NIC on the new motherboard anyway.

Or, since it was a Retail version of Win 7 Pro, is there even any need
to switch the original (identical -- except for Serial#, I assume) CPU
to the new motherboard?


Someone here was able switch an HDD from an old PC to a new build without
needing to get a new licence. I'm not sure he even needed re-activate.

I don't think you need to worry.

I simply transplanted the drive into the new machine and everything is fine.

Perce