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I own a legitimate retail version of Windows 7 serial key. I upgraded my computer to Windows 10.

My friend built a new computer and he has no Windows license. Since I won't use Windows 7 anymore, can I give my license to him, while keeping my free Windows 10?

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  • 1
    you might want to look at this answer
    – clhy
    Sep 30, 2015 at 10:14
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    No; I presume your Windows 7 license came with your computer, if that's the case, it cannot be transferred to another machine
    – Ramhound
    Sep 30, 2015 at 10:33
  • @Ramhound Sorry. Forgot to tell you that it's retail version.
    – Wesley
    Sep 30, 2015 at 20:00
  • @Wesley - No; Your rights to your current installation is tied to your Windows 7 license. You cannot use both the Windows 10 installation and install Windows 7 on another machine legally. So my answer doesn't actually change, if you formatted your computer, you could give your license to your friend though.
    – Ramhound
    Sep 30, 2015 at 23:14
  • FYI - at last check, anyone can get Win10 Home for free if you sign up for the Windows Insider program and downloading the Insider Preview of Win10.
    – Keltari
    Oct 7, 2015 at 0:13

1 Answer 1

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Your Windows 7 license won't become invalid by updating to Windows 10. However, it is also part of your Windows 10 license, so you are only allowed to have one Windows 10 or one Windows 7 installation at a time with one key.

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.

Your Windows 7 license will always be valid and will not be changed or deactivated because of the upgrade to Windows 10: you'll be able to install or restore Windows 7 again in case you'll need to do that (provided that you've the Windows 7 installation DVD

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