I heard recently that Win 10 will accept a Win 7 serial number. The reason I ask is because I have an unused copy of Win 7 that cost me a fair bit a little while back ( then I lost it lol ) and it would be a shame to waste it if it will work. But I don't want to catch myself on the hop by assuming it will work and on the day finding out it won't.
Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First Windows 10 Tutorials
Officially the free upgrade period is over. However, some have reported success.
Note that once you have installed Win 10 on a PC, you can reinstall it without needing a serial number on that PC subsequently.
And the term is Product Key, 5 groups of 5 alphanumberic characters in the order of xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx. Win7 was the last to have that on a COA/Certificate of Authenticity sticker somewhere on the computer or on the disc case if purchased separately. Win8 or Win8.1 started doing it differently. The Product ID seen in System is created during install. If doing an Upgrade over Win7 you should get a Digital Entitlement or License stored on Microsoft's database server.
Ok Product Key. I have an unused Product Key.
The PC has already been upgraded during the free period to Win 10 but I am about to replace the motherboard in the PC ~ it is completely different generation of hardware, though, so I assume I will need a new "Product Key".
I could just replace out the board and see what windows thinks about it. But I am more inclined to do a fresh install. Either way I am pretty sure I will need a new Key so ... I was just hoping the unused copy of Win 7 I have in a drawer here would do.
It is possible to transfer digital licence from one mobo to another using the activation troubleshooter. You need to be logging in with MS account, and in activation menu it needs to say you have digital licence tied to MS account.
Then you install OS on new mobo, login with MS account, run activation troubleshooter, and select link 'I have changed hardware', and select old mobo device and the digital licence is transferred to new mobo.
Keep your Windows 7 key for a rainy day.
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