Windows 10 free upgrade is still available using Windows 7 and 8 keys

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    Windows 10 free upgrade is still available using Windows 7 and 8 keys

    Windows 10 free upgrade is still available using Windows 7 and 8 keys


    Posted: 03 Aug 2016

    In spite of the official end of the free Windows 10 update offer on July 29, it seems any valid Windows 7/8.x retail product key still installs Windows 10 for now.

    Yes, Microsoft officials insisted and insisted again that after July 29 at 11:59 p.m. UTC, the free Windows 10 upgrade offer would end.

    But it didn't -- at least not completely.

    The Get Windows 10 (GWX) promotions seem to have ended. But I've heard from several Windows users that they've been able to take advantage of the free Windows 10 update using their older Windows 7/8.X product keys after July 29.

    Users have been able to both kick off and activate Windows 10 on machines where they've previously installed Windows 10, as well as on machines where they've never installed Windows 10 using their Windows 7/8.X product keys.

    My ZDNet colleague Ed Bott mentioned in passing in an updated post about Windows 10 that he also was able to get Windows 10 for free after July 29 using a never-used Windows 7 Ultimate product key. Paul Thurrott of Thurrott.com also noted last week that he still was able to get Windows 10 for free using an existing product key.

    While some have noted that Microsoft isn't restricting Windows 7 and 8.X users -- whether legitimately or not -- from continuing to have access to Windows 10 via the company's assistive technology offer, this key loophole is different.

    I asked Microsoft why the Windows 10 free upgrade offer seemingly has not ended completely as announced. A spokesperson, reiterating that the Windows 10 free upgrade offer has ended, provided the following statement today:

    "Users upgrading their PC for the first time will need to enter a Windows 10 product key. Users who've previously installed Windows 10 on their PC should activate successfully with a digital entitlement when reinstalling Windows 10 on that PC."

    So it seems Windows users who have not yet updated to Windows 10 can still use any valid Windows 7/8.x retail product key to install Windows 10 as of now on any PC...


    Read more: Windows 10 free upgrade is still available using Windows 7 and 8 product keys | ZDNet


    Brink's Avatar Posted By: Brink
    03 Aug 2016


  1. Posts : 928
    Win 10
       #1
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 376
    Windows 10.0.19043.2006
       #2

    I successfully upgraded a friend's computer to Windows 10 after reading this article. That was a few months ago though and I wonder if it still works? Has anyone successfully done the upgrade recently?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5,833
    Dual boot Windows 10 FCU Pro x 64 & current Insider 10 Pro
       #3

    A million thanks for posting this, Shawn! :)

    I saw a similar older article about this topic about a month ago. I was going to post it and decided against it since it wasn't tested as of recent. Not sure, but I'm thinking it still works. Here's why:

    I bought this tower with W7 Home on it. I upgraded to 10 as soon as the free upgrade was offered, which gives it digital entitlement. I have a System Builders/OEM W8 Pro that was on my lappy, then upgraded that to 10 Pro. According to the EULA I can move that 8 to any machine as long as I remove it from previous others. After reading that article I thought to load my 8 onto this tower, then upgrade to 10 just to get Pro instead of Home. I wasn't sure if it would work or worth the hassle since I dual boot with the Insider builds.

    Anywho, this inspired me just to enter my 8 Pro keys into the upgrade aspect on the Settings app > System, which takes it to the Activation page and walla! Lookie see! Woo hoo!! Oh happy day!

    Attachment 144087
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 5,833
    Dual boot Windows 10 FCU Pro x 64 & current Insider 10 Pro
       #4

    Finished painlessly in 5 minutes. All it really did was unlock all the Pro features. :)

    Attachment 144088

    Clicked on the notification banner when completed and this opened.

    Attachment 144089
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 5,833
    Dual boot Windows 10 FCU Pro x 64 & current Insider 10 Pro
       #5

    My Insider 16241 upgraded to Pro as well.

    BTW, the upgrade to Pro in the store was $100. I just saved that or at least the hassle of trying it the other way. If it wasn't for you posting this I probably would've never tried this, Shawn. :)

    Attachment 144093

    Attachment 144094
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 15,025
    Windows 10 IoT
       #6

    Those PC's will now have Digital Licenses for Home and Pro, your choice which one you want to install. Assuming they already had DL's for Home. You don't ever lose those, even if you upgrade to Pro with a change product code. I have PC's with DL's for Home, Pro, Education, and even Enterprise.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 369
    Windows 10 x64 Pro 22H2
       #7

    Stupid question, upgrading to Pro allows you to switch languages in the OS without any hassle?
    I'm seriously thinking on buying a key for pro... I'm tired of Home edition and all it's restrictions...
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,833
    Dual boot Windows 10 FCU Pro x 64 & current Insider 10 Pro
       #8

    FerchogtX said:
    Stupid question, upgrading to Pro allows you to switch languages in the OS without any hassle?
    I'm seriously thinking on buying a key for pro... I'm tired of Home edition and all it's restrictions...
    There's no stupid question > Just the people that don't ask them.

    To answer your question, yes you can. Language - Add, Remove, and Change in Windows 10 Windows 10 General Tips Tutorials
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 369
    Windows 10 x64 Pro 22H2
       #9

    Thank you @HippsieGypsie.

    That helps me a ton
      My Computer


 

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