Windows 10 free activation
 

Gawd I'm thick, only just found this out:

The free Windows 10 license Microsoft is providing to upgraders works differently. Microsoft won’t issue you a Windows 10 product key. Instead, when you perform an upgrade from within Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or Windows 8.1, the upgrade process registers a unique ID associated with your PC’s hardware on Microsoft’s Windows activation servers.

In the future, whenever you install Windows 10 on that same PC, it will automatically report to Microsoft’s activation servers. Microsoft will confirm that the PC with that specific hardware configuration is allowed to use Windows 10, and it’ll automatically be activated.

Re: Windows 10 free activation
 

Big brother is watching you. ;)

Re: Windows 10 free activation
 

Yep TP- you're thick.:D:D:D:D:D

Wait until you have to change a graphics card!

Re: Windows 10 free activation
 

That's no way to talk to a lady, young man.

Anyway, bought a GTX 970 last year, hopefully it'll last a wee while.

Re: Windows 10 free activation
 

I did not mean it as an insult. I was merely agreeing with you it's the safest way for a man, a young lady should understand that.:D:D:D

Then again, we're never right.;)

Re: Windows 10 free activation
 

Re: Windows 10 free activation
 

Having had some strange things happen recently on some sites I'd also include the no-script add-on for FF. Set up the white and black lists for the sites you regularly visit. Helps avoid drive-by infections and hi-jacked mouse clicks.

Re: Windows 10 free activation
 

If the activation on hardware is similar to previous then you can upgrade some components without issue. The system allocates "points" to various components and allows you to change upto a limit of points. So a GPU may cost one point, CPU 3 points, but a motherboard 4 points and you are limited to 5 points.

This allows you to update the GPU without issue but update both the MB and CPU wouldn't be allowed without interaction with M$.

Re: Windows 10 free activation
 

I have the free version of Windows 10 and had to replace my CPU and Motherboard, as expected activation failed with the new components.

However after chatting to MS online for an hour and providing proof of my Windows 8 key, they provided me with a physical key to get activated again, this has now changed to a digital entitlement though.

So if a hardware change is needed all is not lost as long as you have proof of a previous key.

Re: Windows 10 free activation
 

yep done a few now it does mostly take a phone call but its fairly quick even if you just have the hard drive left ;)

Re: Windows 10 free activation
 

is the call similar to activating other versions of windows?

Re: Windows 10 free activation
 

---------- Post added at 19:20 ---------- Previous post was at 19:18 ----------

Never said I was young, so you got that wrong too! Points for being consistent! ;):D:D

Re: Windows 10 free activation
 

But you assumed I was young too!

Touche!;):D:D:D

Re: Windows 10 free activation
 

yep just need previous activation key from old operating system . Others have told me they have accepted proof of purchase too

i have upgraded ( saved would be better description lol ) a few laptops and towers including ones where all i really had was the hard drive and a case with sticker ( coca cola spill and a coffee spill ) and was putting hard drive into another laptop ( they wanted their programs and data on the hard drive )

Re: Windows 10 free activation
 

I was trying to be nice, considering your age on your thingy is 60!

:p: