2023-10-01 13:40:18
For over a decade, there was a little well-kept secret with Windows: you might activate a Windows 10/11 installation using a Windows 7 key. Indeed, as long as you had the correct version of the key for the installation whether you wanted (Home or Pro), by entering a Windows 7 key following the upgrade or during a fresh install, you might activate the new copy of Windows.
After the update, it will no longer be as easy to activate Windows 10/11
Microsoft initially allowed this to encourage Windows 7 users to upgrade to their newer operating systems through the Free Windows Upgrade Program. This worked even if you had an OEM key from an old machine like a 2009 Dell computer in your closet with a Windows 7 Pro key stuck to the back. You might still use this key to activate a new copy of Windows 10/11 in 2023. The same applied to Windows 8 keys. However, this is regarding to change.
Indeed, Microsoft recently announced this change on its Device Partner Center in a brief article:
“Microsoft’s free upgrade offer for Windows 10/11 ended on July 29, 2016. The installation path to get a free upgrade from Windows 7/8 is now removed. Windows 11 upgrades from Windows 10 are always free. »
It is important to note that this change will not affect existing Windows installations that have already been activated with these older keys. So, if you are worried regarding losing activation following a forced Windows 10 or 11 update, rest assured that previously activated keys will remain valid. Current Windows 11 beta builds in test channels already apply this restriction to older keys, so these changes will apply to the general public soon. There might still be a potential workaround. If you have installation media created before this change took effect, you may be able to do an offline installation, activate it with an old key, and then go online to complete the activation with the Microsoft servers. It’s just a theory, but it’s worth testing following the update goes public.
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