Windows 7 Upgrade to Windows 10 Insiders Preview 10074

alphanumeric · 17 May 2015

The Insider preview builds won't ask for a key, its coded in to be entered automatically. They are all time limited installs anyway and stop working at some point. You can't use them indefinatly so why bother with individual keys.

Gary · 17 May 2015

Yes they expire in October 2015.

alphanumeric · 17 May 2015

If you clean installed and checked the key, it would likely match what Microsoft lists on the insider download page. Do an upgrade and its likely a different custom to you key. I've done both and never had to enter a key. Haven't bothered to look and see what they are though.

Wynona · 17 May 2015

Gary said:

funny thing with all the builds that I installed, I was never asked for a key. Maybe that is because I used my outlook.com account..

If you're talking about Windows 10 installs, then Nah, you don't need a key. If you're talking about your Windows 7 install, and it's an OEM, then Nah . . . key's in the BIOS.

alphanumeric · 18 May 2015

The key isn't in the BIOS on Windows 7 PC's by the way. There is OEM activation info in the SLIC table, but there is no product code stored there. Windows 8 has a product code stored in the BIOS but Windows 7 doesn't. I know I'm nit picking a bit, sometimes I just can't help myself. I know what your saying though. If you use the custom OEM Windows 7 install media you won't be prompted to enter a key during the install.

Wynona · 18 May 2015

alphanumeric said:

The key isn't in the BIOS on Windows 7 PC's by the way. There is OEM activation info in the SLIC table, but there is no product code stored there. Windows 8 has a product code stored in the BIOS but Windows 7 doesn't. I know I'm nit picking a bit, sometimes I just can't help myself. I know what your saying though. If you use the custom OEM Windows 7 install media you won't be prompted to enter a key during the install.

Whoops! Nit pick away, because accurate information is what we want and need. Thanks for the correction, Alpha. Now I know for sure! :)

alphanumeric · 18 May 2015

That's one of the changes they made in 8 and above that I like. On factory OEM PC's the product code is now embedded in the BIOS for Windows 8 and 8.1. And you don't need custom OEM install media to use it. All official Windows 8 install media will look for the embedded code. Windows 8.1 media will also use 8.0 codes.

With Windows 7 and earlier you need custom branded install media from that manufacturer to use the OEM SLP activation.