Free W10 upgrade

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  1. Posts : 58
    Windows 10
       #1

    Free W10 upgrade


    Hi,

    I read that we can still install W10 over W7 for free using W7 key. I installed W10 from the same ISO file I used successfully many times in 2017, but this time W7 OA key was not recognized.

    Thoughts.....?

    Thanks,
    -BBDS
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    Maybe it`s because you`re using an older version W10 installer.

    Maybe it`s because W10 no longer supports using a Windows 7 or 8 key.

    But I think it still will.

    I would wait a few more days until the Spring Creators Update is out, then download the ISO and create an installer and see if it will accept a W7 key.

    Remember, if you have a Home Premium W7 key you have to install W10 Home, if you have a W7 Pro key you have to install W10 Pro.

    What is your W7 key for ?
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 58
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    AddRAM said:
    Maybe it`s because you`re using an older version installer.

    Maybe it`s because W10 no longer supports using a Windows 7 or 8 key.

    But I think it still will.

    I would wait a few more days until the Spring Creators Update is out, then download the ISO and create an installer and see if it will accept a W7 key.

    Remember, if you have a Home Premium W7 key you have to install W10 Home, if you have a W7 Pro you have to install W10 Pro.
    Yes, the installer may be older, but my PC got updated to Version 1709, still does not accept the W7 key.

    Message: We can't activate Windows on this device because previous version of Windows was not activated prior to upgrading to W10. Go to the Store to buy genuine Windows.

    This laptop was given to me, could it possibly be that W7 was not activated on it, looks like a legitimate sticker on the back and the person who gave it to me was using it.

    Strange.

    I can go back and install W7, make sure it is activated and then reinstall W10.

    Thoughts....?

    -BBDS
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,666
    Windows 10 Pro x64 21H1 Build 19043.1151 (Branch: Release Preview)
       #4

    boyboyds said:
    Yes, the installer may be older, but my PC got updated to Version 1709, still does not accept the W7 key.

    Message: We can't activate Windows on this device because previous version of Windows was not activated prior to upgrading to W10. Go to the Store to buy genuine Windows.

    This laptop was given to me, could it possibly be that W7 was not activated on it, looks like a legitimate sticker on the back and the person who gave it to me was using it.

    Strange.

    I can go back and install W7, make sure it is activated and then reinstall W10.

    Thoughts....?

    -BBDS
    Yes, install W7 and make sure it's activated. Once verified, you can upgrade to W10. The license will transfer and no keys are needed. When installing/upgrading Windows 10, I highly recommend skipping the "Use Microsoft account to sign in to his PC" and rather use a local account. This makes managing the system a lot easier.

    Once you have Windows 10 installed and activated, connect it to an MS account by opening any Microsoft App and answering YES when Windows asks if you want to let all Apps use the account. Once all this is done the Activation status will change to "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account"


    Free W10 upgrade-activation_status.png

    If you ever need to clean install the PC, now, because your MS account contains a digital license, you won't have to enter any keys anywhere ever again. Just connect the PC to your MS account and it will automagically activate.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       #5

    Ya, now you can do a clean install if you want, I would. :)

    Or just wait a few more days until you can download the Spring Creators Update Iso and create an installer and clean install that.

    You should start seeing the Spring Creators Update here in about 4 more days.

    Download Windows 10
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 3,453
       #6

    boyboyds said:
    Hi,

    I read that we can still install W10 over W7 for free using W7 key. I installed W10 from the same ISO file I used successfully many times in 2017, but this time W7 OA key was not recognized.

    Thoughts.....?

    Thanks,
    -BBDS
    Thought #1:
    Align the editions (like-4-like)

    Thought #2:
    Have you used the COA key on multiple PC''s - in which case it will be blocked...."many times in 2017" ??

    Thought #3:
    Still thinking...
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       #7

    Does anyone actually know for sure if Windows 10 will accept a W7 or W8 key to activate ?

    I have no reason to find out, so...
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 4,666
    Windows 10 Pro x64 21H1 Build 19043.1151 (Branch: Release Preview)
       #8

    AddRAM said:
    Does anyone actually know for sure if Windows 10 will accept a W7 or W8 key to activate ?

    I have no reason to find out, so...
    Last time I used a W7 key for W10 activation was December 12. 2017 and it worked flawlessly.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 10,929
    Win10 x64
       #9

    I used my activated Windows 7 (older pc with 7 on it, not the key during win10 install) to install Windows 10 on an upgrade March 30th this year. It activated. So I made the USB installer with the MCT, then wiped and installed it clean on said PC. Activated on its own with digital license to a MS account I made during the upgrade. I am using it now to watch an eagle nest live stream
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 3,453
       #10

    AddRAM said:
    Does anyone actually know for sure if Windows 10 will accept a W7 or W8 key to activate ?

    I have no reason to find out, so...
    Yup.. (they need a billion.... 'till then ho-hum)
      My Computer


 

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