Hello there,

My story is I used to have an activated copy of Windows 10 on my old motherboard (Mobo A), by taking advantage of the free upgrade from Windows 8 / 8.1. Early this year, my motherboard suddenly dead, sent it to vendor for RMA. In the meantime, I swapped with my backup motherboard (Mobo B) and successfully activate it using my old Windows 8 serial key. Just today Mobo A already out of RMA, and I swapped my Mobo B with it.

My problem is Windows no longer recognized this Mobo A, and I've tried reactivating it using the same Windows 8 serial key, but it just won't work. Calling Microsoft was unsuccessful since the lady over the phone told me to buy a new Windows 10 key, since Windows 8 key can only be used one time only to activate Windows 10 (which I had used on Mobo B). Is this true? Do I need to buy a new Windows 10 retail key?

I thought by buying retail key I'm entitled to upgrade my hardware whenever I want, and able to activate the Windows indefinitely by just calling the customer service.

Thanks for the response. Hmm, that OEM sounds tempting. There's no way I'm going to pay another full retail price, not after my old product key has been left unused on my old motherboard.

Previously I have reactivated it twice after motherboard swapping, but only for Windows 8.1. The customer service officer at that time didn't object at all since I'm using legit retail key. Thought it's the same for Windows 10.

The free Windows 10 license is valid for one time activation only and tied-up to your old mobo and it's not transferable. You need to buy new license if you want to use Win 10 on your new mobo. Meanwhile for retail key, you can use it twice only on different machine. E.g. your current pc installed with Win 8, later you upgrade your proc, mobo, etc and you are allowed to activate again using the retail key. in future, you want to upgrade new spec again, you will not allowed to use the same key again. MS only allowed it to be activated 2 times on different machine.

Buying retail key means you can activate unlimited times on same machine. you can format/reinstall OS as many time as you like, activation will be successful. but not on multiple machine, even you only change mobo not whole new PC.

.. do you mind sharing with us where you got that information?

please don't be confused with an oem key. a retail key, especially from old os (w7/8.x), is eligible for transfer.

I'm sorry coz i couldn't provide you with the information since that is what understand last time during doing my job. I know the different between OEM and Retail. Just IINM, retail license would allowed you to activate twice on different machine with no question asked. If you need further transfer, you need to call MS.
Here is the thing I can suggest you. But you might not getting the Win 10 anymore since the free Win 10 in not transferable. At least you can try this.

When I upgrade a preinstalled (OEM) or retail version of Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 license to Windows 10, does that license remain OEM or become a retail license?

If you upgrade from a OEM or retail version of Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 to the free Windows 10 upgrade this summer, the license is consumed into it. Because the free upgrade is derived from the base qualifying license, Windows 10 will carry that licensing too.



If you upgrade from a retail version, it carries the rights of a retail version.

If you upgrade from a OEM version, it carries the rights of a OEM version.



Full version (Retail):

- Includes transfer rights to another computer.

- Doesn't require a previous qualifying version of Windows.

- Expensive



Upgrade version (Retail):

- Includes transfer rights to another computer.

- require a previous qualifying version of Windows.

- Expensive, but cheaper than full version



OEM :

OEM versions of Windows are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system



What happens if I change my motherboard?

As it pertains to the OEM license this will invalidate the Windows 10 upgrade license because it will no longer have a previous base qualifying license which is required for the free upgrade. You will then have to purchase a full retail Windows 10 license. If the base qualifying license (Windows 7 or Windows 8.1) was a full retail version, then yes, you can transfer it.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider...e4-45f4b7ed2fb9

The free Windows 10 license is valid for one time activation only and tied-up to your old mobo and it's not transferable. You need to buy new license if you want to use Win 10 on your new mobo. Meanwhile for retail key, you can use it twice only on different machine. E.g. your current pc installed with Win 8, later you upgrade your proc, mobo, etc and you are allowed to activate again using the retail key. in future, you want to upgrade new spec again, you will not allowed to use the same key again. MS only allowed it to be activated 2 times on different machine.

Buying retail key means you can activate unlimited times on same machine. you can format/reinstall OS as many time as you like, activation will be successful. but not on multiple machine, even you only change mobo not whole new PC.

What's weird though, from my last conversation that lady not even bother to ask about my Installation ID (9 sets of number). She just said I need to buy a new key.

But not that it matters anyway since, the only way I can retrieve my genuine Installation ID is by installing the old Motherboard back onto my PC again and running the slui.exe 4 command.

For future reference, here's what you should've done:

Upon upgrading, install BelArc Advisor and extract your Windows 10 product key. That way, when you reformat you can install Windows 10 directly and key in that product key to activate.

From their FAQ, it seems I am still entitled to transfer my retail key from my old Motherboard.

I have to say their customer service has become pretty bad since the last time I called them over a year ago for the same problem. Keep insisting with stock questions, and I can't help to think that the person behind the phone was taking me for a pirate.

From the FAQ above it is clearly written my Windows 8 serial key carries the rights of a retail version of Windows 10, and it is within my rights to transfer my key to another machine. Actually i'm not new in this situation, I have transferred my key twice before for Windows 8.1 via phone, not sure why I cannot do that anymore this time.

Moreover after reading the FAQ thoroughly, It seems there are no parity between Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 to Windows 10 serial key, as long as it is the retail version. So frustrating since I paid full price for my Windows 8 three years ago.

uh? if it's from free w10 free upgrade (licensed with digital entitlement), we all have the same generic keys.

Are you sure? I've done this on the 3 PCs in my house and each one has a separate key.

Yup, this is indeed a mess. Even their own Customer Service Officer also doesn't know anybody who obtain a copy of Windows 10 through upgrade from retail Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 is entitled to the same rights as someone who owns a retail copy of Windows 10.

Disappointing because they not even bother to check my Serial Key and Installation ID. Trying to tell them my full story was a waste of time since they keep repeating and insisting I have to buy a new key.

Yup, this is indeed a mess. Even their own Customer Service Officer also doesn't know anybody who obtain a copy of Windows 10 through upgrade from retail Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 is entitled to the same rights as someone who owns a retail copy of Windows 10.

Disappointing because they not even bother to check my Serial Key and Installation ID. Trying to tell them my full story was a waste of time since they keep repeating and insisting I have to buy a new key.

That is why I go pirate or buy a cheap (very very cheap) key that works. Wasted so much on original sticker keys before. Screw them.