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General discussionQuestions about Windows 10 "virtual" licence (genuine)(27 posts)(27 posts)
(27 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted December 30, 2018
So... with my girlfriend, we finally bought one new computer for her (hurray ! :D). And we have lot of questions concerning windows 10 (Family edition), but that will be in another thread ! ;)

First and for now, we have been (not nicely) surprised to discover yesterday when opening the package that the new computer doesn't have a sticker with a Win10 serial number on it, but only a small "Windows" sticker. After some researches, it seems that it's because there are two kind of windows 10 licenses : one with a serial, and an other who is called "virtual"/genuine (not sure what is the good word), and the one we have (apparently) is the latest.

And we're worried because it's something we don't know at all.

With a license number, you're able to download an installation image of Windows from Microsoft and install it again, even if your drive crashed. With "virtual" license, can you still do this ?
- How this "virtual" license work ? I mean... When you have a serial number, it's it who "activates" your windows and proves you own it, but if you don't have one, how can you say you should be able to install your license again if your harddrive crashed ?
- And does it permits to do dualboot ? (with an old Win7 or even linux)
- Does it permit to create a restoration DVD/USB to install it again in a new drive ? (yeah, I'm traumatized since my HDD died)
- And is this license more privacy invasive than a serial one ? (my main guess is that virtual license is maybe linked to a microsoft account you'll have to create... and so Microsoft would know what you do with your comp' ?)

We still haven't booted the computer on, and have several day to send it back to be refunded if we're not happy (and it can be a possibility).
So... we prefer to ask to people around there :S
We're pretty worried. Mostly concerning the possible loss of possibilities due to lack of serial number, and because of privacy.

Thanks in advance for any help !
Posted December 30, 2018
there is something built into the firmware. you shouldnt need a need a key. when i got a new computer a couple years back i got confused also, but after a reinstall i looked in the settings and windows was already activated.
dual booting? thats another issue...
Post edited December 30, 2018 by swsoboleski89
Posted December 30, 2018
Read the EULA (end user license agreement)!
Posted December 30, 2018
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Splatsch: So... with my girlfriend, we finally bought one new computer for her (hurray ! :D). And we have lot of questions concerning windows 10 (Family edition), but that will be in another thread ! ;)

First and for now, we have been (not nicely) surprised to discover yesterday when opening the package that the new computer doesn't have a sticker with a Win10 serial number on it, but only a small "Windows" sticker. After some researches, it seems that it's because there are two kind of windows 10 licenses : one with a serial, and an other who is called "virtual"/genuine (not sure what is the good word), and the one we have (apparently) is the latest.

And we're worried because it's something we don't know at all.

With a license number, you're able to download an installation image of Windows from Microsoft and install it again, even if your drive crashed. With "virtual" license, can you still do this ?
- How this "virtual" license work ? I mean... When you have a serial number, it's it who "activates" your windows and proves you own it, but if you don't have one, how can you say you should be able to install your license again if your harddrive crashed ?
- And does it permits to do dualboot ? (with an old Win7 or even linux)
- Does it permit to create a restoration DVD/USB to install it again in a new drive ? (yeah, I'm traumatized since my HDD died)
- And is this license more privacy invasive than a serial one ? (my main guess is that virtual license is maybe linked to a microsoft account you'll have to create... and so Microsoft would know what you do with your comp' ?)

We still haven't booted the computer on, and have several day to send it back to be refunded if we're not happy (and it can be a possibility).
So... we prefer to ask to people around there :S
We're pretty worried. Mostly concerning the possible loss of possibilities due to lack of serial number, and because of privacy.

Thanks in advance for any help !
So the Virtual licence works just like the old codes, minus having to type it it.

It activates on hardware, so if you need to reinstall it on the same PC it should activate fine. If you make small changes such as hard drive changes, graphics card etc then again should activate fine. (Just click I dont have a code in setup when asked for one.)

If you want to transfer 10 then depends on the type you have. OEM versions cannot be transfered, Retail can. (If you upgraded from 7/8.1 you will have the same version you upgraded from ie upgrading from OEM 7 gives you OEM 10, retail 7, retail 10.) (You can find out what version of 10 you have by pressing Windows Key +R, and in the run box type cmd, press enter then type slmgr -dli into it and press enter. A dialog box should then come up saying what channel your on.)

Duelbooting is fine. But you will need another product code, for the older version of Windows. (I've heard that you can use 10 upgraded from it and use 7/8.1 at the same timeon the same PC but i've not tested it myself.) Linux will work fine though.

Yes. You can get an iso to download and either install it later or burn it to DVD/USB Download the tool from that link and follow on screen instructions.

Windows 10 as a whole is alot more privacy invasive than the older versions. Activating it works pretty much the same from as the older versions though.

Edit: I forgot to add. You dont need a Microsoft account to use Windows 10. You can use local. And to create ISOs onto USBs Rufus is the way to go.
Post edited December 30, 2018 by Pond86
Posted December 31, 2018
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swsoboleski89: there is something built into the firmware. you shouldnt need a need a key. when i got a new computer a couple years back i got confused also, but after a reinstall i looked in the settings and windows was already activated.
dual booting? thats another issue...
Yeah, there doesn't seems to be a key... which is a bit confusing when you made dualboots or reinstall who needed one ^^" that's why I'm asking :)
Yeah :P
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Themken: Read the EULA (end user license agreement)!
I confess : I never did it for any windows I used (98, XP and 7). And I know it's a bad thing :/ I'll try this time, especially since I read Win 10 wasn't.. really nice with privacy. Buuut.. that's so hard to read and really understand fully.
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Pond86: So the Virtual licence works just like the old codes, minus having to type it it.

It activates on hardware, so if you need to reinstall it on the same PC it should activate fine. If you make small changes such as hard drive changes, graphics card etc then again should activate fine. (Just click I dont have a code in setup when asked for one.)
But no need to create a Microsoft account ? Oo
Hum... In fact, if I understand, your "serial number" is your hardware ?
And you mean, if I remove the current drive (after activating Win10) and put another one instead, I still will be able to install it again with the same "license" ?
But... if I decide to trash my whole comp' in the -far- future, I can't reinstall my "licensed windows" in a new one ? [this is a very important point]
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Pond86: If you want to transfer 10 then depends on the type you have. OEM versions cannot be transfered, Retail can. (If you upgraded from 7/8.1 you will have the same version you upgraded from ie upgrading from OEM 7 gives you OEM 10, retail 7, retail 10.)
OEM version ? It's a brand new computer built from a small enterprise (that I'll call tomorrow to ask them some questions about all of this btw...), with an pre-installed windows 10. But... I think it's certainly an OEM version (even if I don't know what it means).
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Pond86: (You can find out what version of 10 you have by pressing Windows Key +R, and in the run box type cmd, press enter then type slmgr -dli into it and press enter. A dialog box should then come up saying what channel your on.)
Thanks for the tip ! I prefer to wait to call them before booting up the comp', I'll may be try depending of what they say :)
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Pond86: Duelbooting is fine. But you will need another product code, for the older version of Windows.
Of course !
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Pond86: Linux will work fine though.
Good :)
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Pond86: Yes. You can get an iso to download and either install it later or burn it to DVD/USB Download the tool from that link and follow on screen instructions.

Windows 10 as a whole is alot more privacy invasive than the older versions. Activating it works pretty much the same from as the older versions though.
Ok, thanks for the informations !
Post edited December 31, 2018 by Splatsch
Posted December 31, 2018
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Splatsch: But no need to create a Microsoft account ? Oo
Hum... In fact, if I understand, your "serial number" is your hardware ?
And you mean, if I remove the current drive (after activating Win10) and put another one instead, I still will be able to install it again with the same "license" ?
But... if I decide to trash my whole comp' in the -far- future, I can't reinstall my "licensed windows" in a new one ? [this is a very important point]
Nope.
Pretty much.
So long as its small changes such as hard drives, graphics cards you should be fine to install it again, should you need to.
If its OEM then no. As OEM is a version thats tied to that machine. (Seeing as you said you've got it pre-installed on the machine, then theres a very strong chance it is a OEM version.) OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer.
Posted December 31, 2018
If you have to change your motherboard, say because it broke, you have to talk nicely with Microsoft to get your OEM license reactivated. Best if a company makes the call.
Posted December 31, 2018
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Themken: If you have to change your motherboard, say because it broke, you have to talk nicely with Microsoft to get your OEM license reactivated. Best if a company makes the call.
Chances a very slim though. When you chat to Microsoft directly it usually depends alot on who you talk to.
Posted December 31, 2018
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Pond86: Nope.
Pretty much.
So long as its small changes such as hard drives, graphics cards you should be fine to install it again, should you need to.
If its OEM then no. As OEM is a version thats tied to that machine. (Seeing as you said you've got it pre-installed on the machine, then theres a very strong chance it is a OEM version.) OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer.
Okay. Doesn't sounds good at all for our taste.
Thank you very much for your help & explanations !
I'll ask several questions tomorrow to their customer service, and if it confirms this, we will really consider returning it and asking for a refund (unfortunately). Or maybe we're are too worried ? But we don't like to be "forced" this way :/ (serial number means "freedom" compared to OEM)
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Themken: If you have to change your motherboard, say because it broke, you have to talk nicely with Microsoft to get your OEM license reactivated. Best if a company makes the call.
I'll remember if it happens one day ;)
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Pond86: Chances a very slim though. When you chat to Microsoft directly it usually depends alot on who you talk to.
Oo

So in short, you would advise that we get a comp' with a serial license, not an OEM if possible ?
Post edited December 31, 2018 by Splatsch
Posted December 31, 2018
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Splatsch: So in short, you would advise that we get a comp' with a serial license, not an OEM if possible ?
Retail, it used to cost three times as much though...
Post edited December 31, 2018 by Themken
Posted December 31, 2018
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Splatsch: Okay. Doesn't sounds good at all for our taste.
Thank you very much for your help & explanations !
I'll ask several questions tomorrow to their customer service, and if it confirms this, we will really consider returning it and asking for a refund (unfortunately). Or maybe we're are too worried ? But we don't like to be "forced" this way :/ (serial number means "freedom" compared to OEM)
OEM serial numbers work the same way. Its just a branch of Windows. OEM 7 or 8.1 versions even XP always worked the same as 10. If you're that worried about it and have a spare copy of 7 or 8.1 that you brought retail laying around you can always upgrade from 10 for free from that. Or you can just go on Amazon and buy 10, and install it on (replacing your current install of 10) on your new device.

But tbh, so long as you take care of your equipment and not throw it down the stairs or drop it in the toilet or anything then you should be fine with OEM for at least several years.

Edit: Retail 10 is not cheap though, and if you get 7 or 8.1 you run a pretty big risk of getting an illegal key. (As they both have been discontinued by Microsoft.)

Edit 2: If you go retail don't get it from Microsoft directly as they charge a silly amount. Amazon is usually the better one.
Post edited December 31, 2018 by Pond86
Posted December 31, 2018
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Themken: Retail, it used to cost three times as much though...
Well, there isn't that much of a price difference for what I saw sooooo... (on the shop I bought the comp', they're selling OEM licenses & retail, and there's only 20€ of difference : OEM = 139€, USB = 159€)(but I'm maybe mistaking)

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Pond86: OEM serial numbers work the same way. Its just a branch of Windows. OEM 7 or 8.1 versions even XP always worked the same as 10. If you're that worried about it...
In fact, and in regard to everything you explained, we're mainly worry about the fact that if we want to change the computer, we'll lose the windows license we paid for. Or if finally we change a part and that Microsoft decide our license isn't valid anymore. And we don't like this :/
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Pond86: and have a spare copy of 7 or 8.1 that you brought retail laying around you can always upgrade from 10 for free from that.
Oh, you still can upgrade your version ? Oo Because her laptop that we are replacing is running with a windows 7 Pro with a serial number !

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Pond86: Or you can just go on Amazon and buy 10, and install it on (replacing your current install of 10) on your new device.

But tbh, so long as you take care of your equipment and not throw it down the stairs or drop it in the toilet or anything then you should be fine with OEM for at least several years.
Well... we don't have a lot of finances, and things... doesn't evolve positively (but not negatively either), so we're in "long-term" & sparing thinking. To give you an idea, it's current laptop we want to replace will be 10years old in few months. My own comp' is 7-8 years old ^^"

Btw, thanks a lot for helping, both of you !
Post edited December 31, 2018 by Splatsch
Posted December 31, 2018
Ugh, this all seems very sucky. The serial code is the key. Without the serial, if you send your computer in for third-party repairs, they won't reinstall windows for you without the code. I remembered once, after getting my service guy to do some fixes, a hard drive wipe and a reinstallation of windows. Before the latter, I asked if he could re-set up windows for me. Mine is an OEM, and he said "Yeah, as long as I got the sticker/code" on my computer.

Splatsch, my advice would be to check out and see if most computers, or everything latest from now on is going to be a "virtual" license. Because if that's the case, there is no point in refunding. The next new computer you gonna buy, is going to be just the same.
Post edited December 31, 2018 by Nicole28
Posted December 31, 2018
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Nicole28: Ugh, this all seems very sucky. The serial code is the key. Without the serial, if you send your computer in for third-party repairs, they won't reinstall windows for you without the code. I remembered once, after getting my service guy to some fixes, a hard drive wipe and a reinstallation of windows, before the latter, I asked if he just set windows for me. Mine is an OEM, and he said "Yeah, as I long as I got to sticker/code" on my computer.
:/
You mean he wouldn't be able to reinstall your windows because you had OEM ?
Not nice.
And that's because of this kind of situation that we're concerned...

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Nicole28: Splatsch, my advice would be to check out and see if most computers, or everything latest from now on is going to a "virtual" license. Because if that's the case, there is no point in refunding. The next new computer you are gonna buy, is going to be just the same.
Good advice indeed.
But yeah, one friend told me it was the most common now. Buuut... I'm even ready to buy a blank comp' and to install windows myself if there's the need to, for having a real serial number thanks to a retail version bought separately. I never made it absolutely from scratch but... well, it's always time to learn.
Thanks for your help too :)
Post edited December 31, 2018 by Splatsch
Posted December 31, 2018
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Splatsch: :/
You mean he wouldn't be able to reinstall your windows because you had OEM ?
Not nice.
And that's because of this kind of situation that we're concerned...
He could I suppose, but it seemed like he just wouldn't do it without the code. And *coughs* pardon me, I was a little distracted earlier and made a major writing mess of my post. I've edited the whole thing now, so it makes more sense. Wish I could be of more help to you!
Post edited December 31, 2018 by Nicole28
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionQuestions about Windows 10 "virtual" licence (genuine)(27 posts)(27 posts)
(27 posts)