need to purchase Windows licence for Bootcamp?

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Level 3

557 points

need to purchase Windows licence for Bootcamp?

I have been using Windows 10 on another mac and would like to install it on my new mac mini 2018 (now running latest Catalina update).

I see several videos that states there is no need to purchase a Windows license to do so, that it is ''entirely free'' ...(Been there, done that in the past until I was prompted to purchase a license - likely after a few weeks of use).

So big $150 question : is it free for ''forever use'' or do I need to buy a license ????

And ''several dozens of hours'' question: does it really work, or not ? -- when earlier versions of macOS were released about 1.5 year ago, there was an array of problems with Bootcamp... As this been solved ?

Posted on Sep 7, 2020 2:59 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 7, 2020 10:22 PM in response to lanstrad1

> win 10 on older macbook went through some updates which rendered it completely unusable ‘bout 2 years ago

There might be "bit rot" in Windows that requires reinstalling once in a while...

I had a Windows 7 32-bit license in VMware Fusion, then installed Windows 7 64-bit with the same license and then the Microsoft's Windows 10 free update offer a few years ago. I quite seldom use Windows to run certain software but never had to reinstall other than those updates.

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Answer 2

lanstrad1 Author

Level 3

557 points

Sep 10, 2020 4:44 AM in response to Loner T

Thanks Loner T.

this will be for my mac mini 2018 (bought few months ago, customized to i7 core 6, 32gb, 2tb ssd.... I’d expect it to be up to the task :)

I also read that a Windows 8 key should now be accepted to activate win 10 without need yo install win 8. Of course, that license is not used elsewhere.

As long as MS process is straightforward for this switch, without phone hopefilly....

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Answer 3

lanstrad1 Author

Level 3

557 points

Sep 7, 2020 7:42 PM in response to samtenor

I do not support piracy either, although my last paid version of win 10 on older macbook went through some updates which rendered it completely unusable ‘bout 2 years ago. As a end user I felt kind of betrayed ending up with an OS in the garbage, but that’s a completely different story... Not the direction I was aiming to take with that thread, but since you raised it :)

There the other questions I also raise, added to fact I do not want to purchase something if it’s not going to work properly.

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Answer 4

samtenor

Level 4

2,074 points

Sep 7, 2020 5:45 PM in response to lanstrad1

You have to purchase a MS Win 10 license for each individual Mac running Bootcamp.

As I am the end user that I do not encourage piracy or other unlawful use of software.

You can refer to Microsoft site for end user agreement.

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Answer 5

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Sep 9, 2020 8:09 PM in response to lanstrad1

If you do not plan to use Windows on the 'older/another' Mac, you can ask Microsoft to help you transfer the license to the 2018 Mini.

W10 releases starting from 1511...2020 are very similar to macOS 10.1...10.16.x version train. Newer versions deprecate support for older hardware. GPUs are a very good example of such deprecation.

If you have bought a license, it is for perpetual use, provided you do not want any updates. In today's world, this is not possible. Security updates are a primary example. Vendors do not provide security updates for older versions. For example, Apple does not provide security updates for OSX 10.6.x (Snow Leopard) anymore. W7 is the same way. W10 has another approach - 'forced updates'.

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Answer 6

lanstrad1 Author

Level 3

557 points

Sep 19, 2020 8:13 PM in response to samtenor

Actually, double check : if you have a Win 7 or 8 license not used elsewhere (which I did), it's now possible (and legit) to install Win 10 directly (without installing 7 or 8) and enter that key and your installation will be genuine.

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Answer 7

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Sep 10, 2020 5:14 AM in response to lanstrad1

In most cases, you will get directed to a self-service IVR (Interactive Voice Response system) and can do it on your own.

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need to purchase Windows licence for Bootcamp?

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