Windows 7/8.1 upgrade to Windows 10 test


  1. NavyLCDR
    Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       New #1

    Windows 7/8.1 upgrade to Windows 10 test


    I know there has been some speculation regarding if Microsoft has really ended free activation of upgrades from Windows 7 to Windows 10. I did my first test in a new VM. Windows 7 Pro was installed, fully activated with a product key from a COA sticker (OEM) and fully updated. It only had 1 local account. I upgraded it to Windows 10 from an ISO file for the original Windows 10 build 10240, version 1507. The Windows 10 would not activate (I tried slmgr /ato). I then changed my local account to a MS account. Still no activation. There was no activation troubleshooter in version 1507.

    Next I will try the upgrade using the most recent ISO file for Windows 10 from Microsoft. I am using a differencing virtual hard disk for the VM, so I will just create a new differencing vhdx which will take me right back to the original Windows 7 install.
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  3. NavyLCDR
    Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
    Thread Starter
       New #2

    Upgraded fully activated up to date Windows 7 to Windows 10 22H2 using the latest ISO file created with the MCT. Local account. Windows 10 would not activate. Switched to my MS Account. Windows 10 would not activate (using slmgr /ato to attempt to activate). However, I ran the activation troubleshooter and Windows 10 did activate from a previous VM that was attached to my MS Account.

    Conclusion: Microsoft has, indeed, stopped the free activation of Windows 10 when upgrading from Windows 7, but if you have an eligible license attached to your MS Account, you may be able to activate using the activation troubleshooter. Next step is to move on to upgrading from Windows 8.1.
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  4. Bree
    Posts : 31,681
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       New #3

    NavyLCDR said:
    Upgraded fully activated up to date Windows 7 to Windows 10 22H2 using the latest ISO file created with the MCT. Local account. Windows 10 would not activate. Switched to my MS Account. Windows 10 would not activate (using slmgr /ato to attempt to activate). However, I ran the activation troubleshooter and Windows 10 did activate from a previous VM that was attached to my MS Account.

    Conclusion: Microsoft has, indeed, stopped the free activation of Windows 10 when upgrading from Windows 7, but if you have an eligible license attached to your MS Account, you may be able to activate using the activation troubleshooter. Next step is to move on to upgrading from Windows 8.1.
    Yes, that agrees with my tests. There is no path now that can activate Windows 10, not from a Windows 7 > 10 upgrade, using a GenuineTicket.xml, or changing the installed key of the unactivated W10 to a W7 key. I can also confirm that the Activation Troubleshooter can still transfer an activation, even if that original digital licence was obtained by the free W7>W10 upgrade.

    I await your W8.1 test results with interest.....
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  6. NavyLCDR
    Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    Windows 8.1 test finally done. I had completely forgotten just how horrible Windows 8.1 was! Local account. Licensed with a retail product key. Fully up to date. Upgraded to 22H2 Windows 10. (I skipped version 1507, just did not see any reason for a different outcome). No activation. (slmgr /ato fails). Convert to my MS Account. Still no activation. The activation troubleshooter did allow me to activate using another VM's license.

    Exact same conclusion: Microsoft has stopped free activation of Windows 10/11 via upgrading from Windows 7 or 8.1. It is possible to "transfer" a license, still, via a Microsoft Account.
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  7. Berton
    Posts : 14,022
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       New #5

    I Upgraded an activated Win8.1 Notebook to Win10 Home over 3 weeks ago, ran the setup.exe file on the USB Thumb drive from within File Explorer while offline. It activated with a Local account, updated when back online, got remaining updates and no issue with Patch Tuesday.
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  8. Bree
    Posts : 31,681
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       New #6

    Berton said:
    I Upgraded an activated Win8.1 Notebook to Win10 Home over 3 weeks ago, ran the setup.exe file on the USB Thumb drive from within File Explorer while offline. It activated with a Local account, updated when back online, got remaining updates and no issue with Patch Tuesday.
    Do you know the full history of this W8.1 Notebook? If not, it is possible that a previous owner had upgraded to 10, not liked it, and restored its original 8.1. That would have got it a digital license, and once a digital license has been linked to a machine's hardware ID and stored on the MS activation servers it will never be revoked. That's a plausible explanation of why this one activated.
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  9. Berton
    Posts : 14,022
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       New #7

    It's genuine, she is older than me and not into anything more than E-Mail and Internet. It had been Updated to Win8.1 from 8.
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