Free Windows 10 Activated License for Windows Insiders Confirmed
Microsoft’s Gabriel Aul, the General Manager of OSG Data and Fundamentals team, has previously declared that all systems running Windows Insider preview build and connected with the MSA you used to register will receive the Windows 10 final release build and remain activated, including after leaving the Windows Insider program.
But shortly after Microsoft retracted the statement, and reiterated the official position that all systems requires genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 in order to receive the free upgrade to Windows 10. But apparently the denial is just a lip service to prevent more people to sign up for Windows Insider program to gain free genuine license, especially those who are running Windows XP and Windows Vista, or those who build own machines or plan to deploy in virtual machines.
With the release of Windows 10 Build 10240, widely known as the Windows 10 final RTM build, to Windows Insiders, the free Windows 10 license that remains activated for the life of the device for Windows Insiders is pretty much confirmed.
Once Windows Insider download, install and upgrade to Windows 10 Build 10240, the Windows 10 stays activated. And it remains activated even if Windows Insider does the following on the same machine:
Reset this PC, irregardless of keeping or removing of files.
Reinstall Windows 10 by running setup.exe from within Windows.
Clean install Windows 10 by booting up from DVD or USB flash drive (or mount ISO in virtual machine).
The system not joining Windows Insider.
The system is activated.
Microsoft is using a set of generic product keys to install and activate Windows 10 which was upgraded from Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or preview builds of Windows 10, which ends with following characters:
Windows 10 Home – BX7FG-H8Q99 Windows 10 Pro – 9MPGT-3V66T
Apparently Microsoft is relying on the recorded hardware ID to determine whether it should grant device license and activate an installed Windows 10. So if you have performed the upgrade to Windows 10 RTM so that your machine is registered with Microsoft, you can perform clean install as often as you like, and stay activated.
Microsoft is not providing product key for Windows 10 upgrade license. In any case, no product key is required, as while installation and setup process do ask for product key, it can be skipped and bypassed. Once the Windows 10 is installed and connected to Internet, it will automatically activate itself once it verified that the device is entitled to free Windows 10 license, even if you have not entered product key during installation and setup.
Nonetheless, there are few reported cases that Windows Insiders need to login with the Microsoft Account to make the freshly clean installed Windows 10 to activate. But it still means free Windows 10 license for all Windows Insiders.
Still wanting the free Windows 10 license? It’s not too late. Just install a build of Windows 10 Insider Preview build, and upgrade from there. You’re good to go with a fully activated and genuine Windows 10. In addition, it appears that pirates also can get Windows 10 upgrade device license for free.
Clean install and activate Windows 10 is allowed (No Windows 10 product key is issued for Windows 10 upgrade license acquired under the free upgrade program. However, Microsoft records the device’s hardware ID or HWID on its activation server when the device is first upgraded to Windows 10 and activated. On future reinstallation of Windows 10, the device will automatically be granted permanent activation status when the activation server detects its matching hardware ID).
LK is a technology writer for Tech Journey with background of system and network administrator. He has be documenting his experiences in digital and technology world for over 15 years.Connect with LK through Tech Journey on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.
