You'realmostthere! Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 Hi I have a computer from an old job running Windows 8 (volume license) and full 2013 office suite lying around. My former employer gave it to me after I quit. Now I want to upgrade to Windows 10 and start using it myself. I have administrator access if that makes any difference and have extracted the CD key. Of course, I'm not too keen on buying a new full retail license and Office if that is avoidable, but at the same time I really want Windows 10 and clean it up from all employer settings, programs and stuff. I've searched for what I can and can't do with a volume license, but it seems to be a huge grey area. Anyhow, if I use the current volume license key, format the hard drive, install Windows 8.1 using the key and upgrade to Windows 10, can anything go wrong? I'm not sure how this licensing works and I do NOT want to cause any issues with my former employer. And what about Office? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Patriot Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 I'd do an upgrade to Windows 10 FIRST, let it activate, then format and reinstall Windows 10. That will allow it to remain activated correctly. Dick Montage 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
You'realmostthere! Posted January 14, 2018 Author Share Posted January 14, 2018 10 minutes ago, Southern Patriot said: I'd do an upgrade to Windows 10 FIRST, let it activate, then format and reinstall Windows 10. That will allow it to remain activated correctly. Ok, but this isn't connected some way to my former employer, right? Or all other computers sharing the same license? Do all computers have different keys, or how does volume work? I've only dealt with retail licenses before and then everything is quite obvious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrynalyne Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 You may not be able to upgrade. There are no VL upgrade versions out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goretsky Supervisor Posted January 15, 2018 Supervisor Share Posted January 15, 2018 Hello, Volume license rights are non-transferrable, so you will need to purchase a copy of Windows 10 for installation onto a new computer, not an upgrade edition. That said, maybe the computer has a COA or PID key embedded in it for an earlier version of Windows (Windows 7 or 8) that you can use with an upgrade edition. Regards, Aryeh Goretsky Mando 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
You'realmostthere! Posted January 16, 2018 Author Share Posted January 16, 2018 That's correct @goretsky and@adrynalyne, I couldn't upgrade and purchased a new license instead. Office was Enterprise as well, so same thing here, couldn't download. Thanks for all help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts