Could I still activate Windows 10 with a Windows 7 key?

Goose · 15 Nov 2016 at 18:36

I've been together a system for my dad using an old SSD of mine that had Windows 10 already on it and I need to activate it but obviously i dont have a key to do that with. I know the one year free upgrade things is technically over but i was wondering if i bought a Windows 7 key from the MM or something that I might be able to use it to Activate Windows 10.

Thanks

On Holiday · 15 Nov 2016 at 18:43

As far as I know..
You would first need to install Win7, activate it and then install Win10

http://www.howtogeek.com/266072/you-can-still-get-windows-10-for-free-with-a-windows-7-8-or-8.1-key/
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3102240/windows/3-ways-you-can-still-get-windows-10-for-free.html

Goose · 15 Nov 2016 at 18:49

Ah ok, thats not a problem as there's nothing on the SSD thats important.

Thanks

On Holiday · 15 Nov 2016 at 18:54

No worries, I've done that method above a few times now before I could get hold of full Win-10 keys.

For what it's worth, you might be able to find a Win10 key cheaper or quite close to Win7 now.

Goose · 15 Nov 2016 at 18:59

Plenty O'Toole said:
No worries, I've done that method above a few times now before I could get hold of full Win-10 keys.

For what it's worth, you might be able to find a Win10 key cheaper or quite close to Win7 now.

Really? I had a wanted thread up a little while ago and was offered a retail Win10 key for £75. I'm hoping to spend closer to £20 really.

andshrew · 15 Nov 2016 at 23:27

You may be able to get a key for £20 but you're not going to be getting a legitimately licenced one.

If you use Windows accessibility tools then you can still claim a free upgrade to 10 here.

Bantu · 16 Nov 2016 at 09:49

Windows 7 may drop in price now that the upgrade period has ended (unless you use Windows Accessibility tools as mentioned above). If you want to have Win 10 it may be easier to just directly buy a Win 10 license.

Cheap licenses are available but they are "grey" market at best... usually taken from laptops or OEMs and there is no guarantee that they won't one day be revoked. But if you get a big discount it may be worth the risk.. up to you ultimately.

Confused Stu · 16 Nov 2016 at 12:53

Fresh installs of Windows 10 Anniversary Edition can still be activated using Windows 7/8 keys, even if those keys haven't been upgraded to 10 during the free period. I did this on two machines at the weekend, so I know it still works.

Actually looking at the links Plenty posted in the second post, it's saying the above is true too. You don't need to install Windows 7/8.1 then upgrade (you can if you want, but you don't need to) you can just install 10 and activate it using a 7/8 key.

cully4299 · 23 Nov 2016 at 11:11

7 not sure. i know 10 works with windows 8 keys

PiKe · 23 Nov 2016 at 11:23

Plenty O'Toole said:
As far as I know..
You would first need to install Win7, activate it and then install Win10

http://www.howtogeek.com/266072/you-can-still-get-windows-10-for-free-with-a-windows-7-8-or-8.1-key/
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3102240/windows/3-ways-you-can-still-get-windows-10-for-free.html

In my experience, you don't.

Just install Windows 10 and enter the Windows 7 key, it will activate fine.

Goose · 23 Nov 2016 at 13:22

Yep, the 7 key i bought activated my Win10 install without issue.

On Holiday · 23 Nov 2016 at 13:24

That's good then.

I had to install Win10 on a few machines and Win10 just wouldn't activate until I had first run an upgrade from Win7 -> 10. Must've changed since then!