Unlimited Downloads from Online Account - how do you access this?

[techguyone]

Apologies if it is in a sticky or something, but in the past I've always just had the disc and reinstalled that way./

How do you access your download from online account?
It can't just be be d/loading from MS as you'd need your oem (PC Specialist)activation key, I couldn't see anything clearly obvious on my account details on PC Specialist site.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Apologies if it is in a sticky or something, but in the past I've always just had the disc and reinstalled that way./

How do you access your download from online account?
It can't just be be d/loading from MS as you'd need your oem (PC Specialist)activation key, I couldn't see anything clearly obvious on my account details on PC Specialist site.

You generally wouldn't as it would be out of date.

You'd download the latest image direct from Microsoft:

Download Windows 10

Download Windows 11

There are no keys these days, it's tied to your BIOS hardware ID, so registers against that when it's next online. There are no codes anymore.

 

[Bhuna50]

Whilst what @SpyderTracks says rings true, to answer your original question, the downloads section will be in your online account > Tech Support > Downloads.

 

[techguyone]

Thanks guys, that's good to know, I see it now.

I had no idea that System Integrators registered the motherboard with MS and when you change a component (other than motherboard/CPU it re-registers with MS next time it goes online.

That's particulary helpful if you for example: ever get a bigger C:/ drive, I was wondering how you'd re-activate windows (like in the old days) that's one less headache then.

 

[SpyderTracks]

had no idea that System Integrators registered the motherboard with MS and when you change a component (other than motherboard/CPU it re-registers with MS next time it goes online.

They don't, it's done automatically by windows when you install it, when you log into your MS account on the windows device it checks for th hardware ID and of it's not present, ties it with that windows license if there is one available.

 

[techguyone]

They don't, it's done automatically by windows when you install it, when you log into your MS account on the windows device it checks for th hardware ID and of it's not present, ties it with that windows license if there is one available.

OK but PC Specialist must have registered something with MS (Hardware ID? )for the OS to be validated, not least because you can order either Home or Professional in the build specs

 

[steaky360]

Its not done by PCS per say - its done by Windows itself when the OS is first installed/activated.

As far as I'm aware nothing is registered upfront of you activating Windows when you first boot up the machine.

 

[techguyone]

Its not done by PCS per say - its done by Windows itself when the OS is first installed/activated.

As far as I'm aware nothing is registered upfront of you activating Windows when you first boot up the machine.

I don't think I'm making myself clear, MS Windows isn't free, there's a cost involved, there must be a method of assigning PCS build machines with the corresponding Windows 10/11 home/pro version. PCS do some kind of low level tinkering, hence the PCS logo when you start the PC up even before the BIOS screen shows.

It must be done by someone.
Otherwise I could buy all the components, build them, download windows and use it (for free) with 'magic' validation.
There must be a process somewhere that people like PCS buy licences from MS and apply them to the hardware ID (or some how let MS know they need x copies of Win 11 home & x copies of win 11 pro) the cost is factored into our builds.

 

[SpyderTracks]

I don't think I'm making myself clear, MS Windows isn't free, there's a cost involved, there must be a method of assigning PCS build machines with the corresponding Windows 10/11 home/pro version. PCS do some kind of low level tinkering, hence the PCS logo when you start the PC up even before the BIOS screen shows.

It must be done by someone.
Otherwise I could buy all the components, build them, download windows and use it (for free) with 'magic' validation.
There must be a process somewhere that people like PCS buy licences from MS and apply them to the hardware ID (or some how let MS know they need x copies of Win 11 home & x copies of win 11 pro) the cost is factored into our builds.

When you buy a license, it's registered against an email address, when you buy a license from PCS, it's registered against the email attached to your PCS account. When you first login with your email address, the license attached to that email address is registered with the hardware ID of the device you're logging in with.

 

[techguyone]

When you buy a license, it's registered against an email address, when you buy a license from PCS, it's registered against the email attached to your PCS account. When you first login with your email address, the license attached to that email address is registered with the hardware ID of the device you're logging in with.

Thank you, now it makes sense. (I won't muddy the waters further by enquiring about local admin vs ms online admin logons as I understand things like the ms app store don't work on local accounts and we are being gently steered to online ones)

 

[Martinr36]

we are being gently steered to online ones

This does have its advantages, The Berserker in my signature was purchased without an OS from PCS, I had an old HP machine that came with W7, I converted the W7 to W10 and registered it as a digital license on the MS site using my windows login, when the berserker arrived I installed W10 using the media creation tool, once W10 was installed i ran the validation trouble shooter, logged into my MS account and pointed it at that license, all sorted and validated, since then I've upgraded it to W11

 

[CaptainTrips]

Hang on, so the PC I've just purchased, Windows 11 will be registered against the email I purchased the system with and not my usual Windows/Microsoft credentials? (I have more than one email account, who doesn't?)? Or do I put those MS credentials in when I first boot up the system upon delivery?

 

[Martinr36]

you put the credentials in when you sort obe

 

[RichLan564]

Hang on, so the PC I've just purchased, Windows 11 will be registered against the email I purchased the system with and not my usual Windows/Microsoft credentials? (I have more than one email account, who doesn't?)? Or do I put those MS credentials in when I first boot up the system upon delivery?

Your email address comes into play at all, the PC is registered and activated with MS when its first built, it's all automatic, the licence key is tied to hardware ID of the PC when its first installed by the MS licence servers, hence there is a process to follow to move it from one PC to another.

Find your Windows product key - Microsoft Support

Learn how to find a Windows product key for activation, and when you'll use a digital license instead.

support.microsoft.com