# Windows 10 and Dell Laptops **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 29, 2015, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-and-dell-laptops/726467 "2015-07-29T12:57:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2015, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-and-dell-laptops/726467/1 "2015-07-29T12:57:27Z")
So it’s finally here, and I’m intrigued. But I’ve got a problem. A couple months ago, Microsoft released a Windows update for 7 that supposedly was to facilitate the upgrade to Windows 10. I installed it on my Dell Laptop. My Dell Laptop’s OEM Windows license was suddenly deemed no longer legitimate, and Dell tech support and Windows tech support were useless. I got around it by doing a system restore to remove the update, and my Windows is, once again, appearing as genuine. (And to clarify - it IS genuine. It was purchased from a reputable dealer, with the Dell OEM Windows on it, which uses some method other than a license key to function, apparently.) So my problem is that, in addition to the usual compatibility problems that can crop up with a major OS upgrade, I’m also faced with the possibility that if I try to upgrade, it may decide that Dell’s OEM Windows isn’t legit and leave my laptop in an unusable state. Did anyone else ever hear about a problem like this? Did Microsoft acknowledge and/or fix it? If I could find some evidence that the issue was addressed, it would go a long way towards easing my concerns. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-and-dell-laptops/726467/2 "2015-07-30T02:28:59Z")
There is an upgrade tool that will scan your system first and let you know if it is upgradeable. That ought to flag if you have a legit concern. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-and-dell-laptops/726467/3 "2015-07-30T03:38:11Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > I got around it by doing a system restore to remove the update, and my Windows is, once again, appearing as genuine. (And to clarify - it IS genuine. It was purchased from a reputable dealer, with the Dell OEM Windows on it, which uses some method other than a license key to function, apparently.) computer shop owner ALL new win7 dell machines sold through legit channels have a key sticker. I am very familiar with OEM batch licencing and I know how to trigger those OEM keys without paying for them. any decent tech is aware of the methods. I would question the integrity of any “reputable” dealer selling win7 without stickers unless they were using win8 downgrade rights in which case they are assholes for not providing the key along with it even if it was just written on the invoice. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-and-dell-laptops/726467/4 "2015-07-30T05:51:48Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > …and Dell tech support and Windows tech support were useless. > > … > > Did anyone else ever hear about a problem like this? I’ve never heard of a problem like that, no never. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-and-dell-laptops/726467/5 "2015-07-30T13:25:54Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > computer shop owner > > ALL new win7 dell machines sold through legit channels have a key sticker. I am very familiar with OEM batch licencing and I know how to trigger those OEM keys without paying for them. any decent tech is aware of the methods. I would question the integrity of any “reputable” dealer selling win7 without stickers unless they were using win8 downgrade rights in which case they are assholes for not providing the key along with it even if it was just written on the invoice. It may well have been a Win8 downgrade. The dealer in question was Micro Center, purchased it about two years ago. But the comment about the invoice is interesting - I’ll dig that up and see if they put it on there. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Carryon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Carryon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carryon)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-and-dell-laptops/726467/6 "2015-07-30T13:35:12Z")
Micro Center? I have dealt with them a lot on various levels and have never had anything but stellar experiences with the store. What is the particular upgrade number that is causing the issue? ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2015, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-and-dell-laptops/726467/7 "2015-07-30T13:35:42Z")
I will add that the Dell Tech Support person indicated there wouldn’t BE a key, so that’s what I was basing that on - but then again, their support was garbage, so I don’t know why I selectively believed that part.