Reminder - probably stop soon - Old W7/W8 keys STILL working

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #1

    Reminder - probably stop soon - Old W7/W8 keys STILL working


    Hi folks
    Those wanting to do CLEAN installs or upgrades (including CU update 1703) can STILL use W7/W8/W8.1 keys from old installations or old Technet keys -- remember though you can only upgrade to similar --e,g W7pro/Ultimate--->W10 Pro for example.

    Not sure how long this will still work for but was still working yesterday (Easter Sunday) so if you want to upgrade -- I'd do it now before the gate is closed.

    (Note if you don't like W10 and revert back to W7 etc you will still have the digital licence so you can then re-upgrade later when any problems you might have the first time around will have been fixed).

    The upgrade only works though for RETAIL versions of W7/W8/W8.1 --not enterprise. Simply install and say I don't have a key at the initial install. Then after ist boot when you get the activation prompt choose change product key, enter your old key and it should work.

    I can't say whether OEM editions work as I haven't got any OEM versions of those old OS'es to test it with.

    If you were an old Technet subscriber and haven't got your keys or lost them you can still download the keys although you can't download the media of course.

    The simplest way is to download as an xml file and then open in EXCEL which then gives you a great formatted spreadsheet where you can easily copy and paste the keys into whatever you need to.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #2

    The end is near I think. The 1703 CU install media no longer detects Windows 8 OEM embedded keys. I did a clean install on my laptop and it now prompts for a key. In the past it would just auto install 10 Home, that laptop has an 8 Core OEM embedded key. I have no idea if you could enter the embedded key manually though. All my PC's already have 10 Home Digital Licences, and that key has already been used via the free upgrade offer.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi there.

    I've been using Technet keys -- since all these would activate at least 5 (I think up to 10 computers) you should be able to use the keys more than once -- nothing wrong in testing - if it doesn't work then nothing is lost..

    Just enter the key when activation is requested and do it via "Change product key"

    No wonder the Technet model was withdrawn --it was just TOO good a deal !!!! anyway I've upgraded 3 computers with 1 key -- no probs --but I've loads more while it still is working.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #4

    I have all my old TechNet keys, plus my MSDN keys. Not going to run out any time soon here. I've done so much testing all my PC's now have Home, Pro and Education Digital Licenses. I haven't used any of my MSDN Windows 10 keys yet. I'm all set if I ever decide to build a new desktop PC. =)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 26,416
    Windows 11 Pro 22631.3374
       #5

    Thanks for the Tip, but I am way too far into 10. I kind of even like it now. Some will not believe it but it is more stable then windows 7 ever was,
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 67
    Win10 Pro x64
       #6

    Josey Wales said:
    Thanks for the Tip, but I am way too far into 10. I kind of even like it now. Some will not believe it but it is more stable then windows 7 ever was,
    i agree but its even better if youre an advanced power user and know exactly how to configure it to your liking.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #7

    alphanumeric said:
    The end is near I think. The 1703 CU install media no longer detects Windows 8 OEM embedded keys. I did a clean install on my laptop and it now prompts for a key. In the past it would just auto install 10 Home, that laptop has an 8 Core OEM embedded key.
    My experience on Saturday was just the opposite. Clean install Windows 10 CU on a laptop with Windows 8 Core product key in UEFI for not ask me for a Product Key nor which version I wanted. It skipped all that and went right to installing and I ended up with 10 Home installed which I then had to manually upgrade to Pro.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #8

    NavyLCDR said:
    My experience on Saturday was just the opposite. Clean install Windows 10 CU on a laptop with Windows 8 Core product key in UEFI for not ask me for a Product Key nor which version I wanted. It skipped all that and went right to installing and I ended up with 10 Home installed which I then had to manually upgrade to Pro.
    I don't know what to tell you? I've done close to a half dozen installs on that laptop trying to sort out my Education version issue. MCT Windows 10 ISO and my MSDN (Home Pro) ISO. It always asks for a key?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #9

    alphanumeric said:
    I don't know what to tell you? I've done close to a half dozen installs on that laptop trying to sort out my Education version issue. MCT Windows 10 ISO and my MSDN (Home Pro) ISO. It always asks for a key?
    So far clean installs with the CU ISO made by the MCT have behaved exactly as the previous versions. My product keys in UEFI/BIOS have been read and that version installed without asking for anything. Then I've done install with the Windows 10 Pro product key in a PID.txt file and that did not ask for a key and install Windows 10 Pro.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 3,453
       #10

    These are the only remaining Win 8 key types in CU's primary config...(the Downlevel config. file still has all the previous versions and does not apply in this instance.. AFAIK)

    Reminder - probably stop soon - Old W7/W8 keys STILL working-capture1.png

    Navy, do you perhaps have SL?
      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 11:34.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums