Windows 10 upgrade usb

no PC stated at all each model for 15 years has 3 case sizes and they are not all the same.

no if you click CP control panel and click system it tells, you activated

the COA key on all modern PC, w8up or 2014 or just before then, have tHE COA key locked in to the BIOS FIRMWARE.

so when you install  w10 , it self activates in seconds. (magic no?)

NO USB sources stated by you DELLS media, or directly from MS?   I run DIRECT and only v1903,  64bit.

It will stop working after 30 days due to windows not being activated.

I don't remember needing a key when I put a fresh install of Win10 on my 755.  I did activate it online right away.

Seems like I've seen it in other parts of this forum not needing a Win10 key, but couldn't find it in spite of many Win10 references.  Speedstep would know for sure; I think it was in one of his posts.

Edit:  I found the thread with the speedstep post I was thinking of:  https://www.dell.com/community/Optiplex-Desktops/Where-can-I-get-my-Windows-8-1-Product-Key/m-p/7413476#M36736 

Hi,

It is a DELL Windows 10 USB stick I purchased with key for my laptop.

This media source I used to upgrade my desktop W7 780 with another Dell Key.

The computer says 

Where has it obtained the digital license from as the only one on the PC key is the W7pro.

Nothing about 30 days

Cheers

John

Windows 7 pro OEM SLP 2.x key must have been accepted from this key.

There won't be any warning about the deactivation of windows.

You cannot use the same key on different machines.

Any machines with SLP 3.0 and windows genuine label instead of COA do not need anything.

Optiplex 755 would not have windows 7 or higher key and therefore would require KEY to activate.

NON win8 or higher machines will not have uefi and therfore require key from COA.

"Windows 10 USB stick I purchased with key for my laptop."

DELL or any other OEM Media would not have a key.

DELL does not sell keys they sell hardware with key built into bios.

ALL dells that have WIN8 or higher KEY in bios work with generic OEM system builder DVD disks.  Thats all dells from 2006 on that meet minimum hardware requirements.

https://www.newegg.com/microsoft-windows-10-pro-64-bit-reinstall-recovery-disc-only-no-license-key-included/p/N82E16832350238

My 755 had Win7 prior to the fresh install of Win10 on a new SSD.

If win7 was upgraded during the free period to 10 then a clean install would retain the activation.

Otherwise It would have asked for a new key.

There are no 755 models that came with 7 period end.

755, 760, 780, 790, 7010 machines are all PRE win8 and can run WINDOWS XP and therefore are NOT UEFI Secure boot auto activation models.

Secure boot does not allow booting or installing Windows Vista or earlier OS.

All new machines are not only WINDOWS 10 only they are 64 bit only.

No more MSDOS to windows 8.1 allowed ever again.

No more ancient Linux or other MBR Legacy booting devices.

I'm totally confused

The key and usb I bought for my laptop - see picture:

Key and USB for LaptopSeparate key was purchased for the 780 and I used the USB stick for the data - see picture below

Key for 780

What is a digital license - is it permanent or a temp license for 30 days

John

Sorry for any confusion and hopefully I can clear up some of it.  I simply went back to your original post.  Some things didn't come to mind right away.  It's not every day I load OS.

You didn't do anything wrong.  If a key wasn't asked for, you're good to go.  But if you get a pop-up asking you to activate online, click on it and do so.  The other way to activate is to go to the Control Panel.  There should be an Activate Windows option if it hasn't been activated yet.

OS will be less functional if not activated online within 30 days.

EDITED this pgh:  A digital license isn't the same as a product key.  I originally thought they were.  Either way, they're good for one install and is good permanently.

Just in case you think about moving HDD's or SSD's from one Optiplex to another in the future:  When I moved an HDD from one Optiplex to another, I had to reactivate the OS and Office, but wasn't asked to re-enter any keys.  (I also merely had to download chipset and graphics drivers.  Moving HDD's with OS from one Optiplex to another isn't an every day thing and isn't always recommended.)

Machines that were updated during the free period will have the key stored at the microsoft server.

Machines with key in bios will activate once online.

Its legal and possible to REINSTALL windows on a machine that is activated and it will stay activated.

The key that is stored at microsoft is not shown to the user.

Optiplex 780 and 790 machines are NOT UEFI and therefore do not have WIN8 or 10 Bios key.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianmorris/2018/01/26/microsoft-has-ended-a-loophole-that-allowed-free-upgrades-to-windows-10/#48df045a4e62

There are no more free upgrades.  Activation is for that specific machine.

Thats terrible.

USB Keys and DVD's and other media DO NOT HAVE Keys.

The bios SLP or the COA has the key.

You cannot use the same key on more than one machine.

If the machine had valid licence and windows 10 in the past it will retain the key at microsoft for that machine and will not deactivate after 30 days.

If the USB key is counterfeit eventually it WILL Deactivate and have message about software piracy.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10749

Thanks,

I'm still uncertain what will happen in 30 days, will it stop working or ask for a key.

Did the USB stick I used to upgrade my laptop a few months ago have something like the license key written to it by micrisoft when doing the upgrade which may have been captured and used for the 2nd machine or does it have no such data stored.

Hi,

How do I check if USB stick is counterfeit 

Cheers

John

@welshjohn I think you are fine. Windows 7 and 8 upgrades still activate for free in my experience. You probably didn't need to purchase the upgrade.