Will Win8.1 Pro activation code work on Win10 Pro clean install?


  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
       #1

    Will Win8.1 Pro activation code work on Win10 Pro clean install?


    Hello,
    Like the title says, will it be possible?
    If yes, it makes sense.
    If no, how users who upgrade from 8.1 supposed to clean install Win10 down the line in the future?

    Will we (win 8.1, 8 and 7 owners) be given new activation codes?

    Thanks
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 22,740
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #2

    No.. you can't use a WIn8.1 key to activate a copy of WIn10. And MS has not really said how the ISO will be distributed. I think and so do some others that when we do get access to it we will have a new key for WIn10.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 13,895
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #3

    From what I've read on this forum and others along with E-Mail I've received the free Win10 Upgrade will be offered only for Win7 w/SP1 and Win8.1, not for Win8.0 or Win7 with no SP.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #4

    The 7 or 8.1 key will be used to qualify the upgrade though, right, either embedded or entered via keyboard.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 2
    Win 7
       #5

    If I allow the upgrade from a genuine Win7 activated with a product key that I own to Win10, am I provided with a genuine product key for Win10? I ask this as there will be a time in the future when I'll have to reformat & reinstall Win10.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3,257
    Windows 10 Pro
       #6

    Berton said:
    From what I've read on this forum and others along with E-Mail I've received the free Win10 Upgrade will be offered only for Win7 w/SP1 and Win8.1, not for Win8.0 or Win7 with no SP.
    No, that's not true. Only Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 S14 will *automatically* be upgraded via Windows Update. Windows 7 RTM, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 (pre-S14) will have to use an ISO to upgrade, but the free upgrade is still valid.

    mahanddeem said:
    Hello,
    Like the title says, will it be possible?
    If yes, it makes sense.
    If no, how users who upgrade from 8.1 supposed to clean install Win10 down the line in the future?

    Will we (win 8.1, 8 and 7 owners) be given new activation codes?

    Thanks
    No, it doesn't look like they will be giving out new keys, although you should be able to get your key by using a key discovery application. Still, that's generally not necessary as Windows will know that you have already upgraded and have a valid license. The clean re-install will simply not ask for a key and automatically activate. Don't ask how it knows, it may have something to do with what's called the "extended PID", but we don't know. Regardless, Windows will know that you have already upgraded and automatically activate.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:16.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums