
On future reinstallation of Windows 10, the device will automatically be granted permanent activation status when the activation server detects its matching hardware ID).Surface Pro 3 Free Upgrade to Windows 10 from 8.1

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.

Though it’s unclear if Microsoft will stop or block Windows 10 from continue to deliver via Windows Update, or how users who need to reinstall their PC can continue to get Windows 10. After the first year, Microsoft mentioned that upgrades will be paid via boxed product and VL upgrades. Until now, Microsoft has maintained that the free upgrade to Windows 10 offer will only valid in the first year from the date Windows 10 officially available for retail. Unlike previous Windows operating system, Windows 10 can be uninstalled, which should bring you back to original Windows OS version. The free Windows 10 upgrade is delivered through Windows Update domain-joined machines can manually get the update via Windows Update as Windows 10 upgrade cannot be deployed through WSUS.
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Likewise for Windows 7, which must be updated to latest version, i.e SP1. To upgrade, Windows 8 must be upgraded to Windows 8.1, which is available for free via Windows Store, and updated to Windows 8.1 Update. Officially, Windows 8 cannot upgrade to Windows 10. In addition, Windows RT devices also cannot upgrade to Windows 10, free or paid. Note that Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8 Enterprise and Windows 8.1 Enterprise does not qualify for free upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise, unless it’s through Volume Licensing agreement with Software Assurance subscription agreement. The basic Windows 10 upgrade matrix that was previously released is as follow:
