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#1
How to test for old valid product keys
I have been a sometime-system builder for decades. I have old Windows product keys (Win 7, 8.1) that have been on the shelf for years. Is there a way to test if they are still valid or not? I'm talking about testing Win 7 keys on a Win 7 installation, Win 8.1 keys on a Win 8.1 installation, etc. None of them are in use right now as they are, but some were used to upgrade to a later version of Windows.
Can I switch Product Keys on a system to one of these old ones such that if it is accepted that means it is valid? (And then switch the product key back.) I'd like to avoid tossing out keys just to be sure I am staying legal because I don't remember if they were used in an upgrade path or not, but if that's what I have to do to not violate Microsoft's copyrights, then I'll do it.
Unless someone has a better idea, I'd probably use slmgr.vbs to uninstall and install keys.