• Can I upgrade again for free after the deadline if I upgraded and rolled back?

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    #505801

    I upgraded one of my computers to Win 10 and gave it a several-days try. Note that I don’t have any touch-screen computers; all mousing. I hated it because it’s too “busy”. I prefer all text, no icons if possible and couldn’t find an option for that. Besides, all those icons simply take up too much space. Can I help it if I got started during the Color Computer era (and then DOS and finally Windows 1 and on up) and am now set in my ways?

    I want to know whether I can later upgrade again for free now that I’ve rolled back to Win 7. After all, it’s either upgrade eventually or switch to Linux and I haven’t found Linux equivalents for a couple of my use-every-day programs.

    Or, if someone’s found a way to return Win 10 to my preferred look? If so, I’d give it another try, “my way”.

    Thanks much.

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    • #1566455

      I want to know whether I can later upgrade again for free now that I’ve rolled back to Win 7.

      When you first upgraded, a copy of your device’s ‘digital entitlement’ (based on its unique hardware ID) was saved on an MS server. When you next ‘upgrade’ to Windows 10 the install process will check your device’s unique hardware ID against the recorded ‘digital entitlement’ and activate Windows 10 automatically, even after the nominal July 29th ‘cut-off’ point for free upgrades.

      So, the simple answer is… yes. 🙂

      Hope this helps…

      • #1566521

        When you first upgraded, a copy of your device’s ‘digital entitlement’ (based on its unique hardware ID) was saved on an MS server. When you next ‘upgrade’ to Windows 10 the install process will check your device’s unique hardware ID against the recorded ‘digital entitlement’ and activate Windows 10 automatically, even after the nominal July 29th ‘cut-off’ point for free upgrades.

        I’ve seen this mentioned by people, but have not seen anything official that says this is the case. Can you point to something official?

        • #1566564

          I’ve seen this mentioned by people, but have not seen anything official that says this is the case. Can you point to something official?

          I haven’t found stone cold proof of that either. On the other hand, there are some folks who are of the opinion that you can re-upgrade later for free. How To Geek is one.

          Image or Clone often! Backup, backup, backup, backup......
          - - - - -
          Home Built: Windows 10 Home 64-bit, AMD Athlon II X3 435 CPU, 16GB RAM, ASUSTeK M4A89GTD-PRO/USB3 (AM3) motherboard, 512GB SanDisk SSD, 3 TB WD HDD, 1024MB ATI AMD RADEON HD 6450 video, ASUS VE278 (1920x1080) display, ATAPI iHAS224 Optical Drive, integrated Realtek HD Audio

          • #1566670

            I haven’t found stone cold proof of that either. On the other hand, there are some folks who are of the opinion that you can re-upgrade later for free.

            It’s possible they are correct and they are referring to something MS has stated. But I have not seen that something and MS has been switching gears so frantically for the past year that it would be nice to see that something officially.

            Geek says, “Once your PC is eligible, it’s always eligible…” That seems to be the crux of the matter. I get the idea, and it does make sense. But, this also presumes that after the cutoff, you can still download a free upgrade. Perhaps, if you were to download the upgrade, install it, get verified, then revert to Win7; but keep the upgrade to use later if you wanted it, then you would be safe. But that presumes that the upgrade you get now would still work 6 months from now.

            That’s a lot of assumptions.

            This is not an academic question for many people. The computer I use most is Win7 and I can see no reason at this point to upgrade it. In fact, I already know it will disable at least one program I use from time to time. But never is a long time and this computer has a couple more good years in it and it’s possible that a few months from now, something will change my mind.

            For this reason, I am considering upgrading (after making an image) just to get that digital entitlement on the offhand chance I will want to use it. IOW, I’d like to get a rain check. But I’d prefer to not spend a day or two screwing around with an upgrade and restore unless I’m reasonably certain it will actually do something for me.

            • #1566719

              It’s possible they are correct and they are referring to something MS has stated. But I have not seen that something and MS has been switching gears so frantically for the past year that it would be nice to see that something officially.

              Geek says, “Once your PC is eligible, it’s always eligible…” That seems to be the crux of the matter. I get the idea, and it does make sense. But, this also presumes that after the cutoff, you can still download a free upgrade. Perhaps, if you were to download the upgrade, install it, get verified, then revert to Win7; but keep the upgrade to use later if you wanted it, then you would be safe. But that presumes that the upgrade you get now would still work 6 months from now.

              That’s a lot of assumptions.

              This is not an academic question for many people. The computer I use most is Win7 and I can see no reason at this point to upgrade it. In fact, I already know it will disable at least one program I use from time to time. But never is a long time and this computer has a couple more good years in it and it’s possible that a few months from now, something will change my mind.

              For this reason, I am considering upgrading (after making an image) just to get that digital entitlement on the offhand chance I will want to use it. IOW, I’d like to get a rain check. But I’d prefer to not spend a day or two screwing around with an upgrade and restore unless I’m reasonably certain it will actually do something for me.

              Well, my experience leads me to believe that the free download will continue to be free. I’ve used a flashdrive (made using the Tool) to install Windows 10 on a bare drive for instance. I’ve used it to upgrade Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 computers, and I’ve used it to install Windows 10 on a hard drive which had Windows Vista on it.
              Using the tool to download the Windows 10 software can allow you to create a flashdrive for both x86 and x64 versions of Windows 10.
              The important thing is what happens after the installation, at the point when either activation is automatic, or you have to enter a key.

              Anyway, I think that you can probably upgrade, image the upgraded OS (Win10), and then do whatever you wish. The image should be valid even next year (if you chose to restore it). Roll back to the previous OS or whatever, you should be able to restore your (activated) Windows 10 image later.
              Personally, I’ve moved on. Almost all of my systems are Windows 10 now (except for a Windows XP print server). I no longer have physical Windows 7, Windows 8 nor 8.1 machines (they’re virtual).

              Image or Clone often! Backup, backup, backup, backup......
              - - - - -
              Home Built: Windows 10 Home 64-bit, AMD Athlon II X3 435 CPU, 16GB RAM, ASUSTeK M4A89GTD-PRO/USB3 (AM3) motherboard, 512GB SanDisk SSD, 3 TB WD HDD, 1024MB ATI AMD RADEON HD 6450 video, ASUS VE278 (1920x1080) display, ATAPI iHAS224 Optical Drive, integrated Realtek HD Audio

            • #1566720

              It’s possible they are correct and they are referring to something MS has stated. But I have not seen that something and MS has been switching gears so frantically for the past year that it would be nice to see that something officially.

              Geek says, “Once your PC is eligible, it’s always eligible…” That seems to be the crux of the matter. I get the idea, and it does make sense. But, this also presumes that after the cutoff, you can still download a free upgrade. Perhaps, if you were to download the upgrade, install it, get verified, then revert to Win7; but keep the upgrade to use later if you wanted it, then you would be safe. But that presumes that the upgrade you get now would still work 6 months from now.

              That’s a lot of assumptions.

              This is not an academic question for many people. The computer I use most is Win7 and I can see no reason at this point to upgrade it. In fact, I already know it will disable at least one program I use from time to time. But never is a long time and this computer has a couple more good years in it and it’s possible that a few months from now, something will change my mind.

              For this reason, I am considering upgrading (after making an image) just to get that digital entitlement on the offhand chance I will want to use it. IOW, I’d like to get a rain check. But I’d prefer to not spend a day or two screwing around with an upgrade and restore unless I’m reasonably certain it will actually do something for me.

              I’m like you insofar as wanting an image before upgrading. I only had one upgrade go badly — but it was a real horror! Having an image as a safety net is reassuring. And after upgrading to Windows 10 I’d probably make another image before attempting a ‘roll back’.
              The installation flashdrive I made (for build 10240.x originally and nowadays for build 10586.x) has allowed me to install Windows 10 on bare hard drives and on Windows Vista computers, to upgrade Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 computers, and to refresh problematic Windows 10 computers. So, the download tool provides files for installation of the latest version of Windows 10.
              I’d certainly recommend that you make an installation flash drive.

              Image or Clone often! Backup, backup, backup, backup......
              - - - - -
              Home Built: Windows 10 Home 64-bit, AMD Athlon II X3 435 CPU, 16GB RAM, ASUSTeK M4A89GTD-PRO/USB3 (AM3) motherboard, 512GB SanDisk SSD, 3 TB WD HDD, 1024MB ATI AMD RADEON HD 6450 video, ASUS VE278 (1920x1080) display, ATAPI iHAS224 Optical Drive, integrated Realtek HD Audio

            • #1567334

              If I have Windows 10 “Media Creation Tool” on a USB drive, can I use it at any time, even after July 29th?

            • #1567344

              If I have Windows 10 “Media Creation Tool” on a USB drive, can I use it at any time, even after July 29th?

              Yes… but keep an eye out for new version releases to the current build of Windows 10 (not Insider Previews), e.g. by checking the builds in green here. When the current build is updated, leave it a couple of days then download and re-build your Media Creation Tool.

              Note that after July 29th, whilst you should still be able to use the MCT to upgrade or clean install, you will have to purchase a Windows 10 license.

              Hope this helps…

            • #1567375

              If I have Windows 10 “Media Creation Tool” on a USB drive, can I use it at any time, even after July 29th?

              Why not test it to see?
              Use the Media Creation Tool to make your installation USB flash drive.
              disconnect your computer from the Internet,
              change your computer’s internal clock to August (or sometime in 2017),
              plug your flash drive into your computer,
              navigate to the “setup.exe” and run it.

              That should prove whether installation works or not.

              Image or Clone often! Backup, backup, backup, backup......
              - - - - -
              Home Built: Windows 10 Home 64-bit, AMD Athlon II X3 435 CPU, 16GB RAM, ASUSTeK M4A89GTD-PRO/USB3 (AM3) motherboard, 512GB SanDisk SSD, 3 TB WD HDD, 1024MB ATI AMD RADEON HD 6450 video, ASUS VE278 (1920x1080) display, ATAPI iHAS224 Optical Drive, integrated Realtek HD Audio

      • #1567224

        When you first upgraded, a copy of your device’s ‘digital entitlement’ (based on its unique hardware ID) was saved on an MS server. When you next ‘upgrade’ to Windows 10 the install process will check your device’s unique hardware ID against the recorded ‘digital entitlement’ and activate Windows 10 automatically, even after the nominal July 29th ‘cut-off’ point for free upgrades.

        So, the simple answer is… yes. 🙂

        Hope this helps…

        If I keep Windows 10 “Media Creation Tool” on a USB, can’t I just use it at any later time? Even if it’s a fresh install.

        • #1567227

          If I keep Windows 10 “Media Creation Tool” on a USB, can’t I just use it at any later time? Even if it’s a fresh install.

          Yes, you can use the flash drive anytime, or often (if you need to install Windows 10 a lot)… But such installations won’t be useful unless they are “activated” and that requires either a “key” or a “digital entitlement”.

          (Another factor to consider is that the older your install media is, the further out of date it is.)

          Image or Clone often! Backup, backup, backup, backup......
          - - - - -
          Home Built: Windows 10 Home 64-bit, AMD Athlon II X3 435 CPU, 16GB RAM, ASUSTeK M4A89GTD-PRO/USB3 (AM3) motherboard, 512GB SanDisk SSD, 3 TB WD HDD, 1024MB ATI AMD RADEON HD 6450 video, ASUS VE278 (1920x1080) display, ATAPI iHAS224 Optical Drive, integrated Realtek HD Audio

    • #1566456

      If by “preferred look” you mean the Start menu, there are some free and some inexpensive downloads available that present a Windows 7-style Start menu. Classic Shell is one of several. I use StartIsBack++, not free, but only $2.99.

      Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!
      We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.
      We were all once "Average Users".

      • #1566557

        Actually, it’s everything that uses icons. Among my peeves about icons is that they’re ordered horizontally, not vertically, and even if you make them very small, you still can’t get the same number on your screen that the old “list” view shows.

        And another, really minor quibble: when you prefer a blank screen rather than a background picture, your choice of colors is now prechosen, and I find all of them too dark for me. I need more contrast, but don’t want black on white. What happened to “mixing” your own custom color?

        • #1567051

          One way to get a plain background of any color: use Paint to create a full-screen image of your desired color and save it as a .bmp image. Then in Windows, select that image as your background image, instead of a photo.

        • #1567060

          Actually, it’s everything that uses icons. Among my peeves about icons is that they’re ordered horizontally, not vertically, and even if you make them very small, you still can’t get the same number on your screen that the old “list” view shows.

          And another, really minor quibble: when you prefer a blank screen rather than a background picture, your choice of colors is now prechosen, and I find all of them too dark for me. I need more contrast, but don’t want black on white. What happened to “mixing” your own custom color?

          One way to get a plain background of any color: use Paint to create a full-screen image of your desired color and save it as a .bmp image. Then in Windows, select that image as your background image, instead of a photo.

    • #1566522

      Graham, have a look here.

      • #1566526

        Graham, have a look here.

        I may be overlooking it, but I see nothing there that says you can upgrade, then remove it, and then upgrade again after the “free period” is over.

        • #1566555

          I may be overlooking it, but I see nothing there that says you can upgrade, then remove it, and then upgrade again after the “free period” is over.

          I agree with you. Microsoft may make a record of your Win 10 upgrade so you can reinstall if necessary, but I bet if you downgrade to Win 8.1 or 7 before the 31 day period, they unmake that record.

          BTW I had upgraded to Win 10 and then had to rebuild my PC (MB, processor ram etc.). I was unable to do a Win 10 install and get it activated. I had to reinstall Win 7 and upgrade again. Even Microsoft support couldn’t help. They recommended re-installing Windows 7.

          • #1566558

            BTW I had upgraded to Win 10 and then had to rebuild my PC (MB, processor ram etc.). I was unable to do a Win 10 install and get it activated. I had to reinstall Win 7 and upgrade again.

            After changing 2 significant components, the stored GUID (based on the device’s hardware) no longer matched, hence no ‘digital entitlement’.

            • #1566560

              After changing 2 significant components, the stored GUID (based on the device’s hardware) no longer matched, hence no ‘digital entitlement’.

              Too bad the Microsoft Support people didn’t know that. It took a couple of days of back and forth before they came up with that answer.

              I also found interesting reading after a google search with ‘What happens to my free Windows 10 upgrade after 29 July 2016 if I need to change hardware?’

              Basically Retail Win 7 and Win 8.1 licenses become OEM.

            • #1566601

              Too bad the Microsoft Support people didn’t know that. It took a couple of days of back and forth before they came up with that answer.

              I also found interesting reading after a google search with ‘What happens to my free Windows 10 upgrade after 29 July 2016 if I need to change hardware?’

              Basically Retail Win 7 and Win 8.1 licenses become OEM.

              In Microsoft licensing terms a new motherboard means a new PC. That means you need a new version of Windows. Often when you call support about activation if you get a nice person you’ll be able to get an activation code. Sometimes, though, you will be out of luck.

              --Joe

            • #1566664

              In Microsoft licensing terms a new motherboard means a new PC. That means you need a new version of Windows. Often when you call support about activation if you get a nice person you’ll be able to get an activation code. Sometimes, though, you will be out of luck.

              Does that mean that you should keep trying until you get that nice person? This is a serious question, as I assume that you can contact them more than once over this issue.

              Eliminate spare time: start programming PowerShell

            • #1566682

              Does that mean that you should keep trying until you get that nice person? This is a serious question, as I assume that you can contact them more than once over this issue.

              See tonyl’s post #14. If you replace the MB with the same model you should be OK. Microsoft should give you an activation key. I’d continue to try if someone refused you. If you change the MB model you may continue to try but that is the scenario which indicates a new PC so you may be out of luck. Once again you may continue to try. Perhaps you can explain to a rep who will buy your explanation and give you a key.

              --Joe

            • #1566858

              See tonyl’s post #14. If you replace the MB with the same model you should be OK. Microsoft should give you an activation key. I’d continue to try if someone refused you. If you change the MB model you may continue to try but that is the scenario which indicates a new PC so you may be out of luck. Once again you may continue to try. Perhaps you can explain to a rep who will buy your explanation and give you a key.

              I’m thinking that if you replace a MB with the same model it will not even require activation, unless you reinstall windows.
              However it’s been my experience that when a MB fails it’s next to impossible to obtain the same model.

            • #1567343

              The moptherboard on my PC died recently, and I replaced it with another of the same type and specs. There was no problem, Windows 7 just started, and all was as before.

            • #1567350

              The moptherboard on my PC died recently, and I replaced it with another of the same type and specs. There was no problem, Windows 7 just started, and all was as before.

              Did you mean Win 10?

            • #1567373

              Did you mean Win 10?

              Shouldn’t make a difference. Replacing the MB with the same model is not supposed to invalidate your license. If it does you can call Microsoft, explain the situation, and you are supposed to get a new key.

              --Joe

            • #1566669

              In Microsoft licensing terms a new motherboard means a new PC. That means you need a new version of Windows. Often when you call support about activation if you get a nice person you’ll be able to get an activation code. Sometimes, though, you will be out of luck.

              In my experience, if it’s a direct replacement, there’s no problem. If it’s an upgrade, not so good.

            • #1566681

              In my experience, if it’s a direct replacement, there’s no problem. If it’s an upgrade, not so good.

              That is what I’ve heard too.

              --Joe

            • #1567126

              Too bad the Microsoft Support people didn’t know that. It took a couple of days of back and forth before they came up with that answer.

              I also found interesting reading after a google search with ‘What happens to my free Windows 10 upgrade after 29 July 2016 if I need to change hardware?’

              Basically Retail Win 7 and Win 8.1 licenses become OEM.

              I bought a copy of Windows 8.1 for use initially on a VirtualBox VM (with a virtual Motherboard), I have now upgraded it to Windows 10 and wonder if I will still be able to transfer it to a real PC once I have finished trying it out? Also what about transferring it to a different Virtual Machine – Say VMware (which presumably has a different virtual motherboard)?

            • #1567211

              I bought a copy of Windows 8.1 for use initially on a VirtualBox VM (with a virtual Motherboard), I have now upgraded it to Windows 10 and wonder if I will still be able to transfer it to a real PC once I have finished trying it out? Also what about transferring it to a different Virtual Machine – Say VMware (which presumably has a different virtual motherboard)?

              Interesting questions, mainly because MS have not published any licensing info so far re: licensing for VM’s AFAIK, but also because the primary focus has been on upgrades from eligible versions and subsequent storage of a ‘Digital Entitlement’ based on a device’s unique hardware ID rather than a product key.

              How MS would handle virtualised hardware IDs (i.e. subject to change) of VMs used by Joe Public is unknown, although I suspect there may be a TechNet FAQ article somewhere dealing with this exact issue for Corporate/Enterprise use.

              (If any one knows differently then I would love to see a link or more.)

    • #1566831

      Bottom line is that we are probably going to have to wait until after the cutoff date to find out for sure what’s going to work and how. July 29 is a Friday so I suppose someone could image their Win7 computer on Wed, and upgrade to Win10, image again (and make a new boot disk to go with that image just in case), then revert to Win7.

      Over the weekend, they could try upgrading again and see what happens. If it doesn’t work then they would have to choose to restore the Win10 image or stick with Win7. Any volunteers? 😎

    • #1566835

      According to everything I can find once you have a Windows 10 digital entitlement for a PC you can reinstall Win10 as many times as you like on that PC and it will reactivate. You may not be able to do the upgrade in the manner you can now. You may need an ISO of Win10. That is not clear. BUT, it is clear that you can legally install Windows 10.

      --Joe

      • #1566856

        Thank you all! I will now slog thru downloading the 2+G upgrade file. Then I will rename my C:Data folder so the upgrade doesn’t mangle it, image my current status, upgrade (the local indy computer shop did a clean install of Win 10, but screwed up on backing up my data beforehand) and roll back to the Win 7 version. Then, when my Desktop comes back, hopefully restored to working order!, I can do the same to it and both computers will be ready to upgrade when push comes to shove time.

        Or maybe I’ll dual boot a speedy version of Linux on the desktop, and add the Linux software that let’s you run older Windows programs (like WordPerfect 12 and Eudora 7X). And finally leave Windows behind.

      • #1566859

        According to everything I can find once you have a Windows 10 digital entitlement for a PC you can reinstall Win10 as many times as you like on that PC and it will reactivate.

        That is very probably correct and does seem to be the way most people are interpreting the concept of digital entitlement (and it makes sense). But, I have yet to see Microsoft come right out and say that (which they may have done) and we have sadly been surprised a number of times in the past year or two that the public interpretation of things and Microsoft’s have not been in 100% agreement.

        MS has also been know to change direction fairly quickly on some things recently. So, I’m choosing to err on the side of caution on the issue of reinstalling Win10 after the cutoff.

        • #1566882

          That is very probably correct and does seem to be the way most people are interpreting the concept of digital entitlement (and it makes sense). But, I have yet to see Microsoft come right out and say that (which they may have done) and we have sadly been surprised a number of times in the past year or two that the public interpretation of things and Microsoft’s have not been in 100% agreement.

          MS has also been know to change direction fairly quickly on some things recently. So, I’m choosing to err on the side of caution on the issue of reinstalling Win10 after the cutoff.

          Read the fine print at the bottom of Windows 10 upgrade then read the Activation FAQ.

          --Joe

    • #1566885

      This is interesting::”Windows 10 is automatically updated. Additional requirements may apply over time for updates. Offer ends 7/29/2016. Additional details on the free upgrade offer for customers who use assistive technologies can be found here.”

    • #1566889

      Joe, I’m not trying to be pigheaded despite how it may seem.

      The first link says you must upgrade within one year. It does not say you can upgrade, then revert back to Win7 then upgrade again later. I agree that it’s probably true that the initial upgrade will register the computer and thus make it legal to revert then upgrade a second time later. But I not sure I would be willing to bet the farm based on “probably correct”. I’ve seen more than a few cases where something didn’t happen the way everyone thought it would.

      Here is what seems to me to be the very thin grey area… At some point in the process of doing an upgrade, you are going to be connected to an upgrade server. The prevailing wisdom is that this will see that this machine was previously upgraded to Win10 and will let it proceed. But, what if it doesn’t get that far and just stops and says, “Sorry, the free upgrade period is over.”?

    • #1566892

      The Windows installer works the same way all the time. It tries to determine if this is an upgrade by the presence of an existing version of Windows or a clean install. It does not ask for a key right away. Then if you don’t supply a key the install completes and when you go online a check is made with the Microsoft servers to see if there is a digital entitlement. If there is, which there would be because you’ve previously upgraded, Windows is activated and you are good to go. Otherwise, you have to supply a key within a certain period of time or you get degraded functionality.

      If you are saying “Microsoft could change the way the installer and activation process works” then yes I agree they could. That would however completely screw up the ability for someone to pay for an upgrade after July 29th without a very significant re-architecture of the whole process. I can’t believe they would devote the engineering resources to completely change the whole install & activation process at this date.

      --Joe

    • #1567049

      There may be a semantics problem here. I believe you will no longer be able to upgrade to Windows 10 via the Get Windows 10 app in Windows 7 and 8.1. You will be able to do an upgrade install via a Windows 10 iso and you will be automatically activated via your prior Digital Activation.

      Jerry

      • #1567086

        There may be a semantics problem here. I believe you will no longer be able to upgrade to Windows 10 via the Get Windows 10 app in Windows 7 and 8.1. You will be able to do an upgrade install via a Windows 10 iso and you will be automatically activated via your prior Digital Activation.

        Jerry

        +1. Thanks for the clarification.

        --Joe

    • #1567207

      Consider this scenario:

      You have Windows-not-10, and you want a fresh install of Windows 10.

      You make a full backup of your current system.

      You upgrade to Windows 10.

      You then restore the backup, so you are back on the old version.

      You then do a fresh install of Windows 10 on a different partition to create a dual boot. My understanding is that this is permitted.

      You then use your old Windows until a vendor is able to ship a Win-10-compatible version of their app, which won’t be released until August.

      With this scenario, it doesn’t really make sense for the Win 10 partition to announce in August that the key is no longer valid.

      –Scott.

      • #1567208

        My understanding is that this is permitted.

        And, from whence does that ‘understanding’ come, pray tell?

        Image or Clone often! Backup, backup, backup, backup......
        - - - - -
        Home Built: Windows 10 Home 64-bit, AMD Athlon II X3 435 CPU, 16GB RAM, ASUSTeK M4A89GTD-PRO/USB3 (AM3) motherboard, 512GB SanDisk SSD, 3 TB WD HDD, 1024MB ATI AMD RADEON HD 6450 video, ASUS VE278 (1920x1080) display, ATAPI iHAS224 Optical Drive, integrated Realtek HD Audio

      • #1567209

        You then do a fresh install of Windows 10 on a different partition to create a dual boot. My understanding is that this is permitted.

        Sorry but no… the upgrade to Windows 10 from any of the eligible versions gives you a ‘Digital Entitlement’ to the new version instead of the old version, not ‘as well as’.

        The only way in your scenario to have legit licenses for both is to buy an additional license or use an unused retail licence for dual-boot purposes.

        Hope this helps…

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