More Win7 to Win10 ‘Free Upgrade’ info

Longtime reader Miles Wolbe send in an information-rich comment to the recent Langa.Com item, Is Windows 10 still free for Windows 7 users?

Hi, Fred! Thanks so much for putting tinyapps.org on the map way back in 2001! It’s been a lot of fun maintaining it over the years.

I’ve been trying (unsuccessfully) to get a definitive answer from Microsoft as to whether these activations are properly licensed.

In the Spiceworks licensing forum, I was told in no uncertain terms that such activations are not properly licensed:

Microsoft’s official stance on using Windows 7 & 8 keys to activate Windows 10?
https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2215900-microsoft-s-official-stance-on-using-windows-7-8-keys-to-activate-windows-10

and there are comments like these scattered around the web:

“Good for you if your client got through it, I’ve seen ones that didn’t pass a SAM because they upgraded after the cutoff date. Your client just got a less diligent partner.” https://www.reddit.com/r/msp/comments/bk40ph/windows_7_to_windows_10_upgrade_loophole_closed/emf7g3h/

At the same time, there are well-respected websites offering advice like this:

How to get Windows 10 cheap (or even for free)
https://www.pcworld.com/article/3400840/how-to-get-windows-10-cheap-or-even-for-free.html

Yes, You Can Still Clean Install Windows 10 with a Windows 7/8.x Key
https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/142616/yes-can-still-clean-install-windows-10-windows-78-x-key

You Can Still Get Windows 10 for Free With a Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 Key
https://www.howtogeek.com/266072/you-can-still-get-windows-10-for-free-with-a-windows-7-8-or-8.1-key/

I called Microsoft and asked whether such activations were properly licensed; tech support said yes, sales said no – go figure.

I asked Paul Thurrott, who kindly replied, “I’ve asked, and Microsoft won’t comment on this.”

Finally, I’ve emailed Satya for the final word, but shockingly have yet to hear back. ?

Aloha, Miles

Thanks, Miles!

I think this is a case of “it’s officially unsupported, but Microsoft might turn a situationally blind eye…”.

That’s in keeping with the relaxed approach Microsoft has taken with Win10 upgrades in general: The company really wants to move users off old Windows versions and onto Win10; hardcore enforcement of old-version license/upgrade terms impedes that shift.

On the other hand, Microsoft’s legal department certainly doesn’t want to say “licenses don’t matter anymore!”

So, I think Microsoft is playing both sides at once: The official word is that free Win7-to-Win10 upgrades are not allowed — but if you try it anyway, it just might work. 🙂

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3 Replies to “More Win7 to Win10 ‘Free Upgrade’ info”

  1. If you can get hold of GatherOsState.exe from “sources” folder on the official MS OS media (or extract the OS ISO), you can run it on a Win7 or Win8 machine. It will generate a GenuineTicket.xml file in the same location that GatherOsState.exe is run. Save that xml file to a removable USB drive. Upgrade or clean install Windows 10, then put the GenuineTicket.xml file here C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\ClipSVC\GenuineTicket on the Win10 machine. Reboot, and if the machine is online, it will activate automatically.

    1. I upgraded a Win 7 Pro machine to Win 10 1809 a month ago using the ISO downloaded with the Media Creation Tool.

      No issues and it’s running fine.

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