Same product key for all?

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  1. Posts : 16
    Windows 10
       #1

    Same product key for all?


    Ok I decided I would undergo some testing & I whipped out some unused laptops with windows 7 home on them. I upgraded all 5 to windows 10. I used a program called produkey to show me my product key with network disabled for safety. Well it displayed internet explorer product key # which is my windows 7 key then windows 10 key. On all 5 laptops the windows 10 key is identical. The product id are different but the product key are all the same.

    Who else has product keys ending with 3V66T? This whole experience has left me wondering if MS know exactly what their doing because I'm starting to wonder if this supposed Free Upgrade doesn't have some hidden catches!
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  2. Posts : 4,131
    Windows 3.1 to Windows 11
       #2

    the Pro keys and the Home keys are all the same..
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  3. Posts : 46
    64-bit 10240 10 Pro
       #3

    They are all the same because it is a free upgrade.
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  4. Posts : 16
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    ah right ok!
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  5. Posts : 1,079
    10 + Linux
       #5

    VsUK1981 said:
    I used a program called produkey to show me my product key
    Didn't know about that program? Download it to see it. Thanks for the advice! In deed we all have the same.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Same product key for all?-screenshot-10-.png  
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  6. Posts : 66
    Windows 10 Pro
       #6

    So after upgrading, if one were to do a clean install on the same hardware, I'm guessing a new license key would be issued?
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  7. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #7

    Nope, you would get the same key. It has little or nothing to do with activation, that is all handled at the Microsoft server end where it checks you information collected when you upgraded with what you have now with a clean install.

    At least that's how I understand it.

    Edit: The only way you get a new key is to purchase a retail version.
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  8. Posts : 66
    Windows 10 Pro
       #8

    Ztruker said:
    Nope, you would get the same key. It has little or nothing to do with activation, that is all handled at the Microsoft server end where it checks you information collected when you upgraded with what you have now with a clean install.

    At least that's how I understand it.

    Edit: The only way you get a new key is to purchase a retail version.
    Good to know - thanks for the info.
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  9. Posts : 1
    Windows 10
       #9

    VsUK1981 said:
    Ok I decided I would undergo some testing & I whipped out some unused laptops with windows 7 home on them. I upgraded all 5 to windows 10. I used a program called produkey to show me my product key with network disabled for safety. Well it displayed internet explorer product key # which is my windows 7 key then windows 10 key. On all 5 laptops the windows 10 key is identical. The product id are different but the product key are all the same.

    Who else has product keys ending with 3V66T? This whole experience has left me wondering if MS know exactly what their doing because I'm starting to wonder if this supposed Free Upgrade doesn't have some hidden catches!
    For Virtual Machines looks like they all finish with 6MT6Y
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  10. Posts : 2
    w10
       #10

    GatsbyGlen said:
    So after upgrading, if one were to do a clean install on the same hardware, I'm guessing a new license key would be issued?
    Not quite, you are never given one. What you need to do is download the exact copy of windows 10 that is on your pc and install it and skip any part that asks for the key. The windows servers have your pc config registered and will auto activate your fresh install.

    If you have changed your motherboard or processor you will need to contact them. It will not work on a different win 10 version, even a minor difference.

    To get the copy of the correct install media go to
    Windows 10
    download the tool run it (it is from the microsoft site) and follow the prompts. Oddly you select that you want media for another pc, but you will then see that you tick the auto select box to get the correct version and it tells about this being the one you need so a new key is not required.

    When you make the media it may fail because of your anti-virus not letting it create auto run on the media.
    This happened to me, so I had to disable my anti-virus and then turn defender off as it turned on automatically after I disabled the AV.

    The way this works means you need to download the media NOW. This is incase your hdd crashs and you can't get it later. I have had to do it for 6 family computers, happily 8gb usb sticks are cheap (you only need 4gb but try and find one, lol)
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