Closed SumatraPeter closed 7 years ago
Yes, that is correct. A clean install erases all traces of the original key. An upgrade stores the previous key in the new registry as well as retaining it in the old (Windows.old)
Thanx, I appreciate your feedback. Cheers.
Thanks for the explanation. So since with Windows 8 onwards there are no more stickers with keys on them and the keys are stored in the BIOS, does that mean that even with a clean install of Windows 10 on a Windows 8/8.1 system ShowKeyPlus will be able to successfully display the Original Key and Original Edition?
Kindof... The Win 8 OEM key will be the 'original' key and it's edition will be displayed there... in ShowKeyPlus land, original means previously installed.
We have seen downgraded Win 8 to Win 7 PC's still having the Win 8 OEM key in the firmware.... so in a way that was the original key...
Got it. Closing this issue now but will continue to monitor the other one I opened. Thanks.
On a Dell desktop that had Windows 7 on it and now runs Windows 10 1511, ShowKeyPlus says OEM Key: Windows 7 OEM marker present in firmware and correctly shows me the Original Key and Original Edition.
However on an Acer laptop that also had Windows 7 on it and now runs Windows 10 1607, ShowKeyPlus says OEM Key: Windows 7 OEM marker present in firmware but does not show me either the Original Key or the Original Edition.
Why is this? Is it because the desktop was upgraded from Windows 7 to 10 (using the 1511 ISO), but the laptop was formatted and had Windows 10 clean installed on it (also using the 1511 ISO but then updated to 1607 via Windows Update)?