Windows 10 - what to do with Win 7 activation keys?


  1. Posts : 1
    Windows 10
       #1

    Windows 10 - what to do with Win 7 activation keys?


    Good morning.

    I have an original Windows Seven Ultimate copy, bought from the Windows Store. I've been using this since 2011 and now I upgraded to Windows 10 Pro. I updated the system and then I downloaded the ISO file with the program I used to download the original upgrade. I then formatted the system today using the ISO I downloaded yesterday, and it was activated ok. My question is: can I use my Win 7 activation key to install Windows 7 in another computer and it be able to continue being original?

    Any constructive answers will be appreciated. :)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello teogenesqueno, and welcome to Ten Forums.

    I'm afraid that you cannot legally. If you do, then one or both installations may become deactivated.

    Part of the EULA agreement to get the free copy of Windows 10 is to no longer activate the Windows 7 key that you upgraded to the free offer of Windows 10 unless you uninstall Windows 10 first.
      My Computers


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

    Hi there

    if you made an image of the w7 system and restore it - activation remains - so long as it's on the SAME machine. Restoring the W10 image again also preserves the activation - but as Brink says you can run one or the other but not BOTH.

    Before you upgrade take the backup of W7 so it will be "restorable" if for any reason you don't like W10.

    I always advise before doing any of these updates TAKE A BACKUP. Then after update once it's activated take a NEW backup (of the W10) system.

    Then like the Yanks say "All bases are covered".

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 60
    WinXp; Win7 Pro; Win10 Pro
       #4

    Are you saying that once activated the client side OS will never cross check again with the activation servers?

    It was my understanding that activation tagged your key to your os and your computer specific in the Microsoft Activation Key databases and that during update attempts your key and computer profile are cross checked against the Activation database for validity. As such if you do updates and report the same computer but different OSs, the non-recorded OS will not update.

    The crux of the issue, and why I am seeking more clarification, is that if you are correct then dual boot systems using the original OS and the upgraded OS will work fine- but people are telling me they won't since the activation key is the same for both instances of the OS, even though they never run at the same time.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 68,652
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #5

    The activation will be checked with Microsoft activation servers.

    If you try to have both activated, then eventually one or both will be deactivated.
      My Computers


 

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