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Question

Can I reinstall Windows 10 if i only have a digital license?

Apr 22, 2018 9:28AM PDT

I am planning to upgrade my hardware. I have the full version of Windows 10 Home which I downloaded when it was free at the release. Im wondering if I change my hardware and then try to boot with an USB with windows on, can i log into my Microsoft account from there and download the full version of Windows again, since i have the digital license?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I find this to fail. Why?
Apr 22, 2018 10:05AM PDT

Because the digital entitlement is locked to your motherboard.

As to log in to get the full W10 download, I've never had to do that. I just google Microsoft Media Creation Kit and I'm done.

Since the license systems changed my bet is you'll have to buy a new W10 license. Unless there is more story. Like your old W7 was W7 Full version Professional which had migration rights. But the old key or digital license for W10 is in this case dead. You will be calling Microsoft to tell them your old motherboard died and you are repairing your PC. Even if you are changing the motherboard for other reasons.

If you let on that this is not a repair, they sell you a new license. Now you know.

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Digital License & Manual Proxy Server Problems
Apr 27, 2018 10:13PM PDT

I mistakenly tried the Windows Insider Program on my fairly new HP Beats laptop that came with Windows 10. At first it was awesome and each update brought new builds that added some nice features. If there were any issues usually the next build would fix it. Well until one build about 6 months ago that loaded an "automatic manual proxy server". This would override my CAT5 and either slow my connection or block Internet usage all together. At first I was able to simply delete the proxy address and turn proxy off and continue working until I reboot. Once the laptop is turned back on the proxy server would populate shortly there after. Then after a few more builds came in I started noticing that the "manual proxy server" had jumped back on. So I was removing it now a few times per day and increasing. I tried to get help from Microsoft to no avail. The Insider Program will not help. They ignore you. They only want your feedback. After contacting Microsoft Windows support they even tried removing it with REGEDIT and we thought that worked but it did not. That's when I discovered that the Windows Insider Program had changed my license to a digital license. I was told I will need to back up my work and do a complete wipe of my hard drive to reinstall Windows 10 back to the original. Since I could not find my Fantum drive to backup my files I am just leaving the Network / Proxy window open after REGEDIT. This seems to keep it stable. I have also stopped the Insider Program with the last Windows 10 public release. If anyone has a solution to this proxy issue please let me know. Microsoft is not interested in helping me or any of the many users with this same issue.

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Answer
No I know with one of the Windows 10 updates
Apr 23, 2018 5:08AM PDT

Microsoft added the ability to link your MS account to your digital entitlement which will manage hardware changes to the original digital entitlement. They did this to reduce the number of calls after hardware changes. The thing about it is they were never straight forward whether the upgrade the motherboard is a new computer still applies.