Can I Use My Windows 7 Pro Key For Win 10 Pro :huh:


  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #1

    Can I Use My Windows 7 Pro Key For Win 10 Pro :huh:


    As the title says can I use my windows 7 CD key to upgrade from windows 10 homes to pro so I can get some pro features???
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  2. Posts : 54
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit upgrade
       #2

    Nope, must purchase the Win 10 Pro key.
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  3. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #3

    Hi there
    1) Only if your W7 version is either PRO or ULTIMATE (not HOME or Not Enterprise).
    2) You will need in this case install W7 first to do upgrade.

    Not sure if the latest "Media creation tools" still works for free activation -- I used an ISO from around December which worked -- if you have a decent machine won't take too long to test and try -- backup existing system first though with Free Macrium.

    If you do use an older iso windows update will bring it up to date. If it doesn't work then simply restore existing system --Free Macrium fine for that.

    When creating a bootable USB stick to get all the options (i.e a menu of which W10 version to install)

    add this file to the SOURCES folder (create it via notepad or whatever).

    Extract the iso file created with the media creation tool and insert the file into SOURCES folder -- now create bootable USB file with rufus and install.

    [Channel]
    _Default
    [VL]
    0

    save it as ei.cfg -- NOT ei.cfg.txt

    Cheers
    jimbo
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  4. Posts : 4
    Windows 10 Home x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I just tryed it and it worked.

    Yes it is a pro key.
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  5. Posts : 31,630
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #5

    jimbo45 said:
    ...You will need in this case install W7 first to do upgrade...
    The ability to use a qualifying 7/8 key for a clean install without first needing to upgrade an existing install of 7/8 was introduced in the Fall Creators Update, 1511.
    Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First

    Elite Knight said:
    I just tryed it and it worked.
    Yes it is a pro key.
    Thanks, good to know that the upgrade activation still works.
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  6. Posts : 4
    Windows 10 Home x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Yea do I just put the code in when I am installing windows on my new SSD today I have bootable USB.
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  7. Posts : 31,630
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #7

    Elite Knight said:
    Yea do I just put the code in when I am installing windows on my new SSD today I have bootable USB.
    You said earlier...
    ...I just tryed it and it worked. Yes it is a pro key.
    Did you mean you have installed Windows 10 Pro on the old HDD using that key and it activated? What does it say in Settings > Update & Security > Activation? If it says 'Windows is activated with a digital licence...' then a digital licence has been stored on Microsoft's activation servers, linked to the unique hardware ID of the PC.

    The drive is not part of this hardware ID, so if you want to put in a new SSD you can. Just boot from the USB and do a clean install of Pro. When asked for a key click the 'I don't have one...' link. As soon as Windows can contact the activation servers it will activate automatically from the existing digital licence.
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  8. Posts : 4
    Windows 10 Home x64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    This key I used once before getting windows 10 home same pc so it worked fine when i tried it in normal windows change the code and it upgraded me to pro but when I put my new ssd in can I use the same key to make sure professional gets installed not home.

    Some features I want from pro windows 10 that you cannot

    (I Used Windows Free Upgrade Download Windows 10 To USB For My ISO Where It Has Every Windows 10 Version There Is Normal and N versions)
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  9. Posts : 31,630
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #9

    Elite Knight said:
    This key I used once before getting windows 10 home same pc so it worked fine when i tried it in normal windows change the code and it upgraded me to pro...
    (I Used Windows Free Upgrade Download Windows 10 To USB For My ISO Where It Has Every Windows 10 Version There Is Normal and N versions)
    You had Windows 10 Home, then used the key to upgrade to Pro. This means your PC should now have two digital licences on Microsoft's activation servers, one for Home and one for Pro. You can install either on the new SSD without using a key and Windows will activate automatically from the appropriate digital licence.

    The ISO the Media Creation Tool creates is universal, it can install all versions: S, Home, Pro, Home single language, and the 'N' version of each. The N version is specifically for the for the EU market and is missing the media features to meet EU regulations. Being in Australia, you would be unlikely to have the N version.

    What was the original Windows this PC was supplied with? If it was Windows 7 then you can boot from the install media and Setup will ask which version to install. You can choose Pro, skip entering a key, and once installed it will activate from the existing digital licence.

    If the PC was built for Windows 8 there is a Win8 key embedded in the firmware. Setup will detect this and use that to choose which version to install. You will not be asked for a key. Depending on the version of Windows 8 the key is for you will get either Home or Pro. If that turns out to be Home, then you can upgrade to Pro by changing the key. See Step 5 in this tutorial for how to upgrade from Home to Pro.

    Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Tutorials
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