Genuine Windows and Windows 10

groze said:

alphanumeric said:

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What Microsoft could do is make you type in the code on the OEM COA sticker. The downside is if the sticker is worn or scratched and you can't make out the product code. Then your in a pickle.

Which do you mean, Type in key for windows 10 install or type in key to keep windows 7? I did some experimenting and did use the key once. When digital rivers was available, I downloaded the 32 bit isos for windows 7. I used that for awhile before deciding to do another clean install and go back to 64 bit windows 7 using the dell re-installation disk (That dell sent me). My motherboard was also replaced under warranty. The 16 bit software didn't work to well on my system. I may have to do a phone activation.

I have tested the 32 bit of windows 10. It seems 16 bit software work a little better on that system, do not know why.


I always write the key down when I first get my system.

The Windows 7 product code on the OEM COA sticker, to prove you have a valid windows 7 license and qualify for the free upgrade to 10. Even though Windows 7 OEM activated PC's from the same manufacturer share a common product code, they also have a COA sticker with a unique code on it. Entering that code when prompted would prove you have an official OEM install. The Windows 7 OEM factory install key is useless by the way. If you do a normal install with regular install media that key will not activate, even by phone. It's deliberately blocked rom activating online. The only way it works is if you use the custom OEM install media from that manufacturer. If you do that, you don't need to know what the key is as its entered automatically. Windows 8 though, is a totally different scenario. Even then though, you don't really need to know what the key is. If you use the correct install media for your version of Windows 8, its read automatically during the install.

groze said:

@alphanumeric

I guess I didn't say it correctly. I was trying to many subjects at once.

Will I need to enter a oem key that listed on the back of the computer to upgrade to windows 10 or keep windows 7? My current system is a dell oemslp 64 bit that is pre-activated. Yes, I already know the oemslp key can't be activated online or by phone.

I don't know? Microsoft hasn't said yet, how it will all be done. All they have said is the genuine Windows 7 and 8 systems will be offered a free upgrade to Windows 10. How that will be done and checked, they haven't said.

groze said:

The issue I may have is activating windows 10 because of the motherboard replacement under warranty and using the Oem key for trying the 32 bit windows 7 from digital rivers. I have put back the 64 bit oemslp install using the dell re-installation disk. Dell sent me one. The 16 bit software didn't work to well on windows 7 32 bit. That why I use xubuntu to run windows 16 bit software.

Confused me again? Windows 8 factory OEM installs embed the product code in the BIOS. They do not use SLP activation. They all activate online. If the new motherboard doesn't have an embedded code you should be contacting the manufacturer to ask why. Also the only OEM key that will work with a digital river install is the one on the COA sticker. Even if you've used it, it should still be good as proof of ownership for the Windows 10 upgrade. It Microsoft asks for it that is. I don't know that they will.

Ok, French wouldn't do me any good, I'm not bilingual.

If that replacement motherboard has the SLIC table in the BIOS, and you used the Dell branded install media, it will be activated just like the original motherboard was when you got it. Same OEM product code too. Microsoft will have no way of knowing it was ever swapped out. They wouldn't care anyway, its legally activated. Swapping out your motherboard for an identical replacement from the OEM isn't going to cause you to have to do anything extra to get Windows 10 for free. Now, having used and activated the OEM code on the COA sticker may make you have to answer an extra question or two. But that's only if they actually check for that code. I don't know that they will, but I'm guessing they will. Even so, you used it on the PC it came with so it should also be a non issue. They may block it from any further activation, hard to say at this point. still not an issue for you as you can use the Dell install DVD to go back to Windows 7 64 bit any time you want.

I may be an oddball here guys but I have been following the Windows 10 road show roll down the digital highway and have 32 bit and 64 bit virtual machine installs a laptop (returned to 7) and a PC (given to my brother in law) and have watched as the OS got more cloud based, more stupid icons, less pretty to look at and basically moved the control panel to full screen settings panel. I have decided when the idiot in charge decided that Media Center would not be updated that I don't care if it is free Windows 10 is not for me. I prefer my locally based storage, my aero multi coloured windows Windows 7 on my many PC's. Windows 10 does not deserve to be on any of my machines as it is simply not anywhere as good as Windows 7. I don't need Cortana, Windows Cloud or any of the other tack they are trying to kid clients with. Some people are going to be impressed but I am not. I won't be putting it on my machines after 8.1 expires I'll see what is around but I have a feeling Windows 7 will be supported well passed 2020 as Microsoft has failed already with Windows 10. They have lied about the versions (they said there will be 1 version) and now there are more sku 's than ever. Windows 10 is another farcefrom Microsoft as they are still not listening to the feedback and are countinuing on the same path as with Windows 8 which was a total failure.