No More FREE Windows Upgrades
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2023
- No More FREE Windows Upgrades
Microsoft says the days of free windows 7 to 10 or 11 updates are over. This means no upgrade path from Windows 7 to windows 10 or windows 11 and the same for Windows 8/8.1 no upgrade to windows 10/11.
Also, you won't be able to activate a fresh install of Windows 11 or Windows 10 with Windows 7 or Windows 8 Pro product keys to future Windows 11/10 versions.
Windows Ends Installation Path for Free Windows 7/8 Upgrade
Microsoft's free upgrade offer for Windows 10 / 11 ended July 29, 2016. The installation path to obtain the Windows 7 / 8 free upgrade is now removed as well. Upgrades to Windows 11 from Windows 10 are still free.
devicepartner.microsoft.com/e...
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more:
ruclips.net/user/Britec09...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
🛍 Support me with your Amazon purchases:
UK amzn.to/3diZslY
US amzn.to/2OwZWux
Please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn a commission from any qualifying purchases that you may make through these links.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
❤️ Join Britec RUclips Members:
/ @britec09
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
📃Watch related playlists and videos
🖥️ / britec09
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
👕Check out our merch:
teespring.com/en-GB/stores/br...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
💻Discord Access:
/ discord
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
🐦Follow and interact with me on Twitter:
/ britec09
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
✅Follow and interact with me on Facebook:
/ briteccomputers
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
🎬 View my Website:
BritecComputers.co.uk
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#windows11 #windows10 #tech
As far as I'm concerned, every "upgrade" since Windows 7 has actually been a downgrade. I tried upgrading one of my Win7 computers to Win10 when it came out. I was not impressed.
In fact, Windows 10 (spyware edition) was the final push I needed to move to Linux.
I've been happy ever since.
I put up with Windows 10 and 11 from 2019 - 2023 and then installed Linux. I'm using Linux Mint Cinnamon and it's a great OS.
I was happy with win8 running a start menu replacement shell. One day I came home to a Win10 machine I never consented to. I began my Linux journey the week after.
Microsoft seems to have no idea how badly they're the catalyst to their own competition.
This is literally a lie.
I upgraded from windoze 7 to linux. Ahhhhh, *_much_* better. 🙂
Seconding what @jamesgazin9447 said.
I was on Windows 7 up until April this year, 2023. Life was good.
After that, I was kinda forced to "upgrade" to the Wee10. But I pirated the most neutered possible version's ISO imaginable, and cleaned it up even more with apps like OOSU10, Titus Powertools, and the Classic Shell UI replacement addon. It's now "good enough", but it still feels like a cosplay set put on an ugly hag. Will definitely be switching to Linux as soon as possible; I tried MINT for a while back in 2020, and it was honestly pretty damn good.
I tested some versions of Linux that I liked to see if they were compatible with the essential programs I use, and they were. If Microsoft decides to enforce what I feel are completely unnecessary system requirements for Windows 11, I will install one of those Linux versions on my main rig. The processor requirements are completely ridiculous, in my opinion, when you have older processors that meet the requirements for Windows 11 but can barely run it while modern processors that could run it with ease don't. Linux definitely won't be a solution for everyone, but it's nice to know I have options just in case.
Should run better too on the same older machines ... looking into it as well, but would like to run it on a separate machine. 11 looks more like Android than Windows, and I hate how illogical and difficult things are compared to anything from Windows 3.11 to 8.1
I've run Linux since 2000. What a relief! The point is, for my line of work there are gems which save me a ton of time - like LyX and Graphviz. For the other stuff there are equivalents - like LibreOffice. Nowadays it feels quite alien for me to use Windows. But when I have to - it hasn't gotten much better, it only got worse.
I bought two cheap laptops last christmas for my wife and myself to replace our 10 year old devices. Both computers came pre loaded with windows 11. I set both up without the internet to avoid the overwhelming intrusion that microsoft imposes through their one drive cloud service account registration. After 2 weeks I became so frustrated with windows 11 that I downloaded Linux Mint - 21.2 and created a bootable USB then installed it onto my laptop as a duel boot option.
Best move I have made in a long time. I still have access to windows when I really must use it for work, but I use Linux personally almost exclusively now for 95%+ of my laptop time.
It took me a little while to get used to some of the differences, but the differences mostly favor Linux. Also there are plenty of on-line forums to learn from, and the array of free industry level software is great.
I recently got a new Asus laptop with Windows 11 already on it, and still went out of my way to put MX Linux KDE on it just because I hate the interface of Windows 11. TBF I probably would have been just as happy with the XFCE AHS ISO. I'll be using the Ameliorated versions of Windows where I can help it, if I have to use it, moving forward, because the only thing worse than the UI in W11 is the SPYING. The whole OS is spyware.
Please: what versions of Linux have you tested and where to download TY
Microsoft has the habit of keeping the door open.
This door was open since 2016 😂
Indeed, open to go to Linux.
Perhaps it's more appropriate to say that Microsoft has the habit of leaving the Windows open.😂
So is winrar
In a way, this is a blessing for people who like buying old hardware. You see lots of online resellers install windows 10 and 11 on 15 year old hardware, then charge hundreds of dollars for it... rather than a fair bargain basement price like it should be.
They can still buy cheap keys from one of these shady key resellers that may or may not stop working. Admittedly that will add liike $20 to the cost
So true, I still see secondhand stores like CeX selling Core 2 Duo desktops and laptops with Windows 10 64 bit as an "up to date good enough" office PC, or even worse, those pathetic netbooks (Intel Atom 1.6 Ghz single core !! with 1 or 2 GB RAM that couldn't even run Win 7 properly back in the day selling for 50-60$ while previously most people would just trowh/give them away...
This could affect a lot of people trying to reinstall their Windows 10 or 11 and discovering they're Windows 7 keys. Although if the computer has a digital licence it might still work.
I suspect Microsoft is doing this now because they're going to announce Windows 12 soon. Earlier in the year people were predicting a Win12 announcement this October. Their new "Canary" build may become 12.
I was wondering about that too since one of my machines with Win 10 on it actually was activated with a Win 7 Pro key. Guess I just better make sure to backup the system from time to time just in case. I was also getting ready to update another machine with Win 7 to 10. Luckily, though, I at least downloaded Win 10 as an ISO in the past so I can at least install it. Guess that I will find "another way," shall we say, to activate it like I did with Win 7 in the past. Microsoft can go and f*ck off! Bunch of spying b@stards!
Canary was crashing some Asus laptops. I found this out on an Asus E210 that I play around with.
Having seen where they're currently at in AI development, I don't think it'll be ready to be included in Windows 12, so I might wait for Windows 13 for a proper implementation of Windows fully integrated with AI.
@@michaelsoutherland3023 It's an early beta, so one should expect problems. The early Windows 10 and 11 builds were also prone to crashes.
@@writerpatrick It would boot and run fine with all the sevices disabled. I spent maybe an hour or so enabling services one-by-one seeing which one crashed the system till I gave up.
This just gives some people another reason to run Linux or an alternative operating system. The people that cant afford a new PC or laptop and have old hardware will probably have little to no choice but to either keep using Windows 10 (which would be extremely dangerous), or run an alternative operating system such as Linux, and unfortunately, not a lot of big name proprietary applications support Linux, and you often have to replace them with free equivalents or alternatives, which can't always do certain things the proprietary applications can do, so when Windows 10 goes end of life, i see there being a massive issue in the pc industry, maybe it'll push Microsoft to extend the deadline for Windows 10 extended support (or at least we'd like to think that).
Maybe you should make a video on why the end of support for Windows 10 could be a major problem. I'm just suggesting an idea, you don't have to do it.
Run Windows as a VM. Or offline. Or online and Grounhog Day it by reinstalling it from a clean snapshot each session. Just don't use it for anything private or important. I still have a legacy XP laptop that doesn't go online but runs some old software I need from time to time. Everything in the house that used to run Windows now runs Mint.
@@richardb4313 Good idea. I use XP to run older software too, and my main PC runs Linux Mint.
Yeah no I’m good 😂. Linux people are the vegans of the PC world.
@@tonyg5132 Each to their own!
@dreaper5813 What ads? I never get any ads and I’m on 11.
anyhow planning to go linux, the few win programs will run under wine or be replaced by alternatives....howgh
Yep, Microsoft is finally getting around to close all loopholes and you are correct good man, more to come.
I don't have a microsoft account on my Windows 10 PC. If I upgrade to 11 eventually will I be able to do that without being forced to open a microsoft account? Or is a fresh install the only way to accomplish that? Thanks for the video.
Interesting. I used Windows 7 pro keys to activate Windows 10 computers just a few days ago, and they worked.
I don't think it is possible, for Microsoft to block key's like that, maybe, list still new key, where there run number 1001-1002...1999, etc. out of batch, but block odd random key's numbers, the enterprisers, will being going after the, all there old PC kit, would devalued e-waste, is bad enough windows 11 marking loads of stuff, e-waste, there now there working lower end too, Microsoft is single handily, going rid of all PC the not new, and running windows 11
@@dh2032 Microsoft is single handedly going to force more people to use Linux. I use Linux Mint primarily at home and at work, and only boot to Windows if necessary. Thankfully, I know how to edit a Win11 ISO to make it skip the hardware requirements. FWIW, 11 runs perfectly on 4th gen Intel CPUs.
I have never paid anywhere near the retail price for Windows going back to XP. I will NEVER pay full retail price for any Windows OS. I've purchased grey market keys a few times for very cheap but I mostly just clone my drives these days.
Microsoft has their nerve charging anything for Windows these days given the amount telemetry tracking/data mining in it.
i agree.i have a number of drives with local accounts which i clone for people .all thanx to brians information
I agree! Microsoft can just go and f*ckoff! 👍👍
Yes Brian good video mate my only concern is that my old Ivy Bridge build that is running Windows 11 pro on unsupported hardware will get the chop if Microsoft shuts out the option to run Windows 11 on unsupported hardware which would be a crying shame as the desktop is still as good as when I built it.
I just went from 10 to 11 a couple weeks ago. Seems I did it just in time to avoid installation hassle. 🙂 It's been fine, except for the taskbar "date/time," which no longer shows deliveries from Amazon and such.
did microsoft also close the antiwga method?
you can install some dll file and get free activation.
can you take a key from a computer in the ewaste bin at local ewaste recycler?
did microsoft also block if you have the installer files being able to upgrade to windows 10 from an already sctivated 7?
I thought it was me, that I could not upgrade to win 10. So I'll switch to Mint Linux.
Once again another great informative video. Thank you sir
Very welcome
@Brian, from Britec. Thank you for the information, sir. Luckily I upgraded my brother's laptop from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 several months ago, and I upgraded a niece's laptop from Windows 7 to Windows 10 some months before that. To be honest, I thought that Microsoft had already stopped Windows being upgraded as my own Desktop computer had Windows 7 installed and I seized the opportunity to upgrade it to Windows 10 some years ago. Unfortunately, even after it was Activated I used to periodically get a notification that it was NOT Activated. I, therefore, purchased a legitimate key to Activate it and everything's been fine since then. I suppose I COULD have telephoned Microsoft to question what the hell was going on, but that's rather difficult when you don't have a telephone. 😉😆
You are welcome, thanks for watching.
@@Britec09 Bless you, sir. I appreciate the information/videos that you upload. ♥
@@Britec09 bullshit my dear brian > HWID activation work for ever to get cloned digital license ahahahah
@@KombatNazarov HWID stopped working by end september, now MS servers rejects all new activations, only KMS38 and other KMS tools (activation for 180 days) are working now.
@@tunisiantalents ok! i love KMS offline anyway
My laptop came with Win8 that I updated to Win10 years ago. It's been running quite slow and I'm thinking of reinstalling Win10 to clear out some junk. Would I be able to do that or I'll run the risk of only able to reinstall Win8?
you should be fine, it wont revert to windows 8
Most of us knew something like this was coming, not surprised.
Thanks for watching
Cool . I just done an upgrade 8.1 to 10 a few weeks ago . It gave me a run around trying to activate .
Windows 10 has a few years left
Likewise, about a week or so ago. Had no problems. Standard MCT upgrade from 8.1 to latest build of 10. Activated fine.
Why are they being buggers about this with an OS that's literally about EOL. Just leave the upgrade path in place in perpetuity. Why be d!cks about it *right* before Win10 goes EOL? If people want to stay on old OSes they're gonna' stay on old OSes. Just let them upgrade 7/8-->10, as usual. It gets them into the Microsoft Store ecosystem, etc., where M$ can sell them software, etc. It also gets them off older more insecure OSes like 7/8 that are past EOL and no longer being patched, etc. There's almost no down side to it for M$. Other than, what, thinking they're gonna' magically make some more sales on EOL Win10 licenses? IF folks weren't paying for them before, they're **definitely not** going to now that M$ is being a d!ck about it. They'd be better off just leaving it open and issuing an official "hold harmless" on any such upgrades from 7/8-->10 for good will from their potential customer base.
Does this mean that if a win7 key was previously used to upgrade to Windows 10 and the system now needs to be re-installed that it will not work
No, it's digitally licensed when you upgrade so you don't have to worry about losing license
A couple of months ago I replaced Windows 10 Pro with Linux Mint Cinnamon on my Lenovo Thinkpad t470. I like it a lot. I'll probably do the same with my MSi GF72VR Laptop. It's my daily driver for audio & video. Most all of the programs I use have a Linux flavor. I was adjunct to corporate IT for many years as a tech instructor and digital marketer but retired this last year. So I'm not too keen on buying a new PC just to use Windows 11. My needs have changed.
If your needs have changed and Linux works well for you, go for it. I myself cannot use Linux as a daily driver, it does not do everything I like to do and many others are in the same boat. Until Linux does what Windows does flawlessly ie gaming, adobe products etc it will never succeed as a option for a lot of people.
I replaced my daughter computer OS with MX Linux. Couldn't be happier.
We were able to make it Mac like very easily and it didn't cost a penny.
@@Britec09on the gaming part chimera might be something to look at and for the adobe products you might be surprised how much is covered already. I would definitely give it a try.
I dual boot Windows 10 with Linux Mint on my secondary device, it works great, I use windows for programs I don’t have compatibility for on Linux and use Linux most of the time outside that. (on my secondary device)
@@Britec09 Gaming on Linux has been more than doable for a looong while now, no less thanks to Valve's great contributions to the Vulkan and Proton (Steam Play) scene, all which was crowned with the SteamDeck itself.
Majority of all Windows apps can similarly be ran on Linux, be it via middle-man apps like the Bottles, through Steam itself (yeah, really!), or using a VM.
Most common apps have a Linux versions too, or at least comparable replacements. A ton of apps are also cloud-based nowadays.
Kind of curious if someone needs to reinstall and they did a windows 10 from windows 7 in the past, will it still activate on the reinstall? I’m doubting it…. I believe you will now have to buy a new windows key to do a clean install of the OS after an issue of some kind…
So, if you used a Windows 7 or 8 key to activate Windows 10/11 a long time ago, but you need to reinstall, would that now be locked out, even if you activated Windows 10/11 with that key years ago? I have two Windows 10 Pro systems that I activated on Windows 8.1 keys.
It might be worth some backup software to clone the drive now if that's the case.
Also, Linux variations are starting to look a lot more Windows like, Microsoft could quickly make themselves irrelevant if you find you can't reinstall Windows and need to buy a $150 key versus a free Linux variation install.
Shadow, you shoud not have any problems
I download w10 to upgrade from w7 as Steam will not be supporting w7 and w7 key is not working anymore at 02/11/2023. Petty as I did not upgraded when Microsoft offered me to do so and now to activate I got asked to pay 145 Euros. I do not know whether downgrade to W7 or paying and stay with W10. My gaming pc is from 2012 and I am happy to keep it instead of buying a new one as it can handle what I normally play?. But Steam will no support W7 from 01/01/2024.
Yes, that was a good policy from MS. About 18 months ago I built a new PC & used a full Windows 7 key to activate Win 10. However, these days I use some version of Linux & hardly ever use Windows. But I keep a Windows 10 image in case I need it.
I tried to upgrade a client a few months ago, from 8.1
It failed early in the piece citing not a valid upgrade, however I found my trusty 1909 installer and it upgraded happily…. I wonder if using an old version will still allow?
1909 is goated
I can see Microsoft losing an awful lot of their testers if they do this. I wonder if they are going to start in-house testing again.
I got my key for my latest PC and I think it was then Windows 10. So are you saying that I may not get any more updates now I am on Windows 11 and will I have to buy a key for a Windows 11 directly to upgrade from now on.
We will have to wait and see.
I had a situation in about 2016-2017 or so where, during what I had expected to be a routine update, clicking on what I thought was the usual 'install update' button actually initiated an upgrade from Win 7 Pro to Win 10. I suppose I should have read the fine print in the new licence agreement before proceeding, but I didn't.
The PC was 4 years old, running on an i7 processor, and Win 10 worked fine. At first. but exactly 365 days later, Win 10 simply failed to start. There was no advance warning, no licence purchase option. No safe mode. Just BIOS.
I tried to reinstall Win 7 from the OEM disc, but because it detected a newer version on the drive, it would not let me. I had to reformat the drive, reinstall from the disc, then reinstall all of the service packs.
The moral of the story... If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Especially where a profit-driven company is involved.
I activated a Windows 11 fresh install using a retail Windows 7 key as recently as September 15th. Glad I got in under the wire.
Did fresh install of Win10 home last week (22H2 on my neighbours laptop) and used Win7 key to activate it ???
Answered that in the video, as of right now people are saying its only newer versions of windows 11, but we just have to wait for clarification from Microsoft whether its all version or just new ones. Also Microsoft might not a flipped the switch yet.
Any Linux distro [except the commercial ones like Red Hat Server] have had free activation since the Jurassic, so there's that! If fact, you don't have to activate them:-)
Those tiny box PCs worth about $100 to $200 often come with windows 10 pro. They are about the size of a double-thickness CD-ROM case [or less]. The catch is there is no upgrade path to win 11, so if you buy these boxes, you will have to install Linux on them when win 10 runs out in 2025.
This is no big deal because a thin version of Linux lets them run really fast.
Beware of buying a box with only a 32-bit processor, because Linux support for them is waning.
You must keep Linux updated and configured for security, otherwise it can be as vulnerable to malware as windows. That said, the main targets of malware and hacking is the Linux enterprise level servers of big corporations. Little hardware boxes like the BMax are used as thin clients in businesses, but most hackers go after the servers. If you are a dude at home of modest means using a BMax box your threat exposure is probably very low if you use common sense.
Linux on desktops especially for gaming is a terrible experience, its never going to be a thing. The only reason for a slight rise in users recently is the steam deck.
People will just pay for the upgrade many of which comes with new PCs anyway or just use WAS.
@@eraldorh Not everyone uses their OS for gaming [at least not ONLY for gaming]. Our whole lives are on the internet. Windows and mac absolutely suck at security and privacy.
I wonder if this will change that MS has allowed people to download, install, and use win10(I don't know if it applies to win11) for free, with the only restriction being you can't customize the desktop and have that watermark?
I've got a feeling this will only effect older versions of Windows 10/11 if you have it fully updated, so in theory if you have an older iso of Windows 10/11 or don't use Windows Update, you may continue to be able to use the loophole, but it depends if they kill this loophole properly ig.
I was very seriously surprised they didn't kill this with Windows 11 release, I honestly they thought they would. But this just proves that Microsoft didn't touch absolutely anything with any of the accepted product key sequences when they released Windows 11, hence why all Windows 10 and Windows 11 keys work interchangeably between the two versions, hence why Microsoft can't kill the free upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 since I have managed to prove in the past they use a 100% identical product key sequence.
Possibly doing this without the internet might work? It might be worth a try- using an old iso and building a bootable drive off of it then trying that.
@@cloudy_xDD I have a Windows 10 installer on a USB drive from a couple of years ago and i am able to update Windows 7 Computers/laptops while being completely offline. I also have a really early version of Windows 10 on DVD that works on very old computers without the need of an internet connection. That will do me. I wont be moving to Windows 11 anytime soon.
I tried using an old old version of win 10 and it didn't work, Also tried activating offline, won't work
Either they did kill it completely or your Windows 7/8 key has already been used for Windows 10, since I believe you could only use them once anyway.
Wonders if its soon time to take the free upgrade from win 10 to 11 for my 2nd computer. Main computer is fairly new and already 11. Computer 3 has old hardware and no upgrade option.
What about an upgrade to Windows 12 (from Windows 11) whenever that comes out? Will that still be free as well?
I recently read somewhere that Win 12 was supposed to go the subscription route - pay as you go to unlock features we need....
Hi Brian, for years now whenever i do a fresh install of windows on any computer i do not need to enter a licence, it does it automatically with a digital licence, is that going to stop as well?
If your system is already activated with a digital license, I believe you should be alright. They've just blocked new requests for activation with these keys.
Thanks for making this video. However, it doesn't specifically address my question...
If I have a legitimately activated Windows 10 Home Edition PC, can I still take a legitimate Windows 7 Pro OA product key from my no longer used PC and bump that Windows 10 from Home to Pro? The last time i did it was a year ago and it worked flawlessly.
Like I said, some people have said that they manage to activate 22H2, so could be newer versions of windows or they have not activated the change yet. Give it a try, what you got to lose?
Thanks for letting us know about that, Brian.
I had been thinking for many months about maybe updating from W8.1, but it's too late now.
However, my uncertainty about installing Linux has just been decided, so 2024 should be an interesting year for me.
You will find it very refreshing. Change to Linux ages ago and don't miss microsoft at all.
@@tonywood3660
Thank you for your encouragement, Tony.
I believe _Mint_ would be a good choice for non-geeky Windows users like myself, so maybe I'll start with that and see how it goes.
Meanwhile, I believe I could try out any version of Linux on my PC by using a VM, before deciding which one would suit me best. I've just discovered one called _Oracle VM VirtualBox_ but I haven't downloaded it yet, as that in itself is a whole new world to me.
@@EIRE55 You don't even need to use a VM to test Linux.
You can literally run them off the installation media (ie. an USB stick), without installing it. Everything should work 100%, only the overall snappiness of the OS might suffer if you use a slower storage device / port.
But yeah, Mint is a great choice. It's essentially the "Ubuntu 2.0".
The Zorin OS is good for a normie-user too, and the Q4OS is great for retro-Windows enthusiasts.
@@GugureSux
Many thanks for that handy little USB tip.
So, Mint it is, for my first try on Linux. There seems to be so many varieties to choose from, so I feel sure I'll find the right one.
Stay well.
don't forget to enable virtualization in your bios from F10 key.
Windows 10 as of the end of October will have been out for eight years. Depending on howell your computer/laptop is treated, that's usually the life cycle anyway. So in a way, it makes sense. If people haven't upgraded to 10 by now, they probably won't anyway before their devices finally croak.
my pc running like new for the last 15 years, and only being prevented to update to win11 due to the age of teh hardware since it even has tpm 2.0😂
@@jdrhea6712 Since the release date of Windows 7 was October 22 2009, You must had a very early beta release on your 24 year old PC 🙂
I ran into this problem with a couple Dell computers I had in the office.
They are now running on Linux faster and more stable than they ever did with windows.
Looks like Microsoft are preparing for Windows 10 End of Life. Normally they have mainstream support end and then extended support for a couple of years for a LTS build however essentially announced that Windows 10 22H2 is the last build of Windows 10 and reaches End of Life in 2 years. It is pretty much in the extended support phase although the wording is different.
Systems with 6th Generation Intel Processors were the last systems with Windows 7 driver support although most of these were sold with Windows 7 Pro downgrade rights from windows 10 Pro and therefore had the Windows 10 embedded product key in their UEFI BIOS. These are below the 8th Generation Intel Processor requirement that Microsoft list for Windows 11... So it didn't make sense for Microsoft to leave the activation channel open for printed Windows 7 OEM keys because as you said it just leaves Windows 11 open to piracy.
Microsoft are probably anticipating a large number of people attempting to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on Windows 7 era hardware in 2 years when Windows 10 reaches end of life and instead will be moving more towards enticing people to purchase new hardware.
Upgrading? I had to downgrade my PC from Windows 11 to Windows 10 because every time I plugged in my ethernet cable it gave me a bluescreen.
The old adage goes: Either you're a paying customer or your'e the product being sold. Now Microsoft wants to push a new feature: Windows where you're the product being sold _and_ you still have to pay for it. Ingenious or malicious?
Can you upgrade your win 7 or 8 activated installed systems to win 10, or 11.
What if you've used Win 7 upgrade to Win 10 previously, but need to wipe out & reinstall? Would you have to buy a Win10 key?
I believe, if you already used it, the digital license is generally associated with the hardware and/or the microsoft account, and so you can reinstall if it's on the same hardware?
Hopefully ... that won't change? So, if you got in before they closed the loophole and got a purportedly valid digital license, associated with the hardware / M$ account, hopefully you're good? But no guarantees, if they're really dicks about it and start not honoring licenses rendered after the actual free period but before the loophole was closed. But that'd be like nearly a decade worth of machines. Hopefully they wouldn't do that... But, if they're being d!cks, I could see them doing it. Though the potential class action lawsuit they might incur wouldn't be a good look for them.
What if you had previously upgraged from 7 to 10, but then have to replace your motherboard?
have had this copy through 3 MB's and 2 CPU's.
Software developers:
- Hold my beer. e.e
I have not been able to install a Windows XP on as virtual window. I have the OS I just can't get pass the steps to play PC disc games from the 90s😢
Windows XP is getting up there in years
If you've previously activated Windows 10 with a Windows 7 or 8 key, can you still upgrade your Windows 10 to Windows 11?
Can I free upgrade to Windows 10 20H2,then upgrade to 22H2 again?
Great video, now I am wondering what will happen if I have to reinstall on a computer that I upgraded with a windows 8 key?
I was wondering the same thing. My Windows 10 is currently active with a Windows 7 Pro key and I like to do a complete reinstall every few years to clean out the junk and freshen up my system. Always gives me a performance boost.
I would also like to know the answer to this
If you already have upgraded from Windows 7 or 8 you will no longer need to enter the key as the windows 10 key will be kept in the bios and automatically reapplied when you install.
@@Nomans1971 The upgrade does not modify the bios, however on upgrade the HWID is stored on Microsoft servers so you can omit entering the license key on a reinstall and it will activate with the digital license.
I upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10. Hated it and went back to Windows 7. Some time after, Windows 7 no longer register as legal copy. Rubbish. The OS was reinstalled a way back by the OEM's official repairer after doing some work on it. The laptop died and I transferred the hard drive into another laptop that worked fine for years until I upgraded to Windows 10. Hated the small fonts. Very hard to fix.
I wonder if this means that I will not be able to use my Windows 8 key for Windows 11 installation in future, even if I legally upgraded to Windows 10 back in 2016 when it was still officially allowed. That is my worry now, that even if I upgraded legally, I will be blocked of my legal license simpley beacause there were idiots that misused this option.
Depends if you activated 10 with a Microsoft account. In theory that motherboard is registered on their website, so you could still upgrade. If not then you’re correct.
What if we have a laptop that has windows 7 with activation and we fresh install windows 10 will the activation stays or stops
presumably that install won't be activated, as far as I know windows 7 didn't do digital licenses that could transfer unlike windows 8/10/11.
@@WindowsDaily then what about windows 8 with activation
@@kaushik6371 As long as the windows 8 it says its activated with a digital licence, i'd say it's fine to upgrade or reinstall since it's tired to the device (and not a key) already.
I didn't even know they were still offering upgrades from 7/8 to 10 or 11, I thought that had expired long ago. Not that they'd be able to upgrade to 11 anyways, since those older motherboards won't have the necessary TPM chips
Fresh install using your W7 key worked with some unpopular methods.
Hej Brian thanks for the video i have also read here that old windows keys will not be able to activate newer windows versions you also mentioned in your video that maybe newer Windows 11 versions will not be able to run on computers that do not have Windows 11 system requirements. What I have read is that there may be tightened hardware requirements for Windows 11 23H2 and Microsoft maybe soon start blocking the installation of Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. The workarounds previously and tools like rufus and others available to install the operating system on unsupported processors maybe do not work longer in the future with new Windows 11 versions. But we will see what happens and when Windows 11 23H2 arrives if it is possible to, install Windows 11 23H2 on computers that do not meet Windows 11 hardware requirements and later updates on the Windows 11 23H2 version take care Brian and have a lovley evening.
Thanks mate, you too
I hate how Microsoft changed what they said they were going to support for upgrading to Windows 11. TPM 1.2 was supposed to be OK. Not. Intel Xeon with vPro engineered for Windows 11. Not supported. My HP Z440 is not Windows 11 upgradeable due to the unsupported CPU. However, I believe I can do a fresh install of Windows 11 on it with a new license. I just can't do the upgrade from Windows 10.
Wee11 is not an "upgrade". It's outright one of THE most dangerous operating systems I've used since the Windows ME. Anyone supporting Microcock after their countless crimes and exposed lies (lol "Wee10 will totally be the last Windows version EVER!! :D") is part of the cancer.
thank God, no more annoying interferences by Windows in my personal choice of software. I never liked windows 11 and thank God now I'll never have to worry about Windows updating without my consent.
this still worked a couple days ago. i used a 7pro key from a hp to install 10pro on a lenovo, activated just fine.
Theoretically you can use W10 without a license. the only limitations that I know of is you cant change the desktop wallpaper and you cant change none of the colors and the words "Activate Windows" is overplayed in the bottom right hand corner. other than that you can use it freely as you wish. People like myself had used this route to legally activate W10 in the past. But like they always say all good things come to an end.
you can still change the desktop background of unactivated Win10 through application like IrfanView, last I checked. but that was an out of date inactive win10 on a machine with different sets of problems... also idk if it was just that machine or problem with inactive win10 in general but it can't run windows store apps, like, no response at all when I clicked the icons on the start menu, but I don't think that would be a problem for most people anyway lol
im on windows 10 64bit home single language here but not compatible witj windows 11 i7 7500u here lenovo laptop 7th gen here still gonna stick with 10 even after 2025 love it best windows so far it will get extened after 2025 as well
You OK for a while yet
i activated windows 10 pro on this but i do not have it installed
Brian, do you think they'll put the price of keys up? to over a £200? All of this seems a good sign that Windows 12 is on its way.
Not sure many people buy them keys at that price, only businesses, schools, collage and so on
@@Britec09 People actually buy keys? Just pirate them, save the money
Why should we care? Activated or non-activated has the same functionality. You can personalize it from regedit.
Been on Linux Garuda gaming since yesterday , system is very fast, no bloatware games run like a charm. Had problems with my graphics driver on windows - windows freeze etc. No problems here.
I can confirm that Windows 8.1 still works because i just reinstalled Windows 10 LoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 and it succesfully activated
I was thinking about going back to linux. I don't trust the new hardware requirement for 11. I really don't want to go down that road. My board has a slot for it. I just don't trust it. IDK.
Welcome Back. The Linux Community has been eagerly awaiting your return. 😁
Compleate BS if you upgraded they should also update the keys that upgraded. If i have a perfectly working win 10/11 after upgrades version why should i lose my license just because i chose to make a clear install to debug my system?
Try an upgrade to LMDE?
Win 11 TPM debacle made me sell my Surface, ditched C#, moved back to Linux, programming in Rust, never been more happy. There are so many gaping security holes and telemetry in Windows, I just can't do it. I actually refuse coursework that requires Microsoft now.
Can I upgrade from Windows 9 to 11?
cool.. now will they stop forcing the upgrades?
I never understood why they even bothered with activation, it was so easy to 'workaround', used a cheap key for W10 and now use W11 activated by that same key .. ;)
the cost of cheap keys, its not worth using activators and risk infection or backdoors.
There is a simple way to avoid all this confusion, disappointments and frustrations. A easy modification in registry will override Microsoft's dictates. However, ever since my accident, my mind is not remembering such things. If it ever comes back to me, I will let you know.
If you using a brand computer such as HP, Lenovo & etc, you can't upgrade from Windows 7/8, but I think you still can install Windows 10 directly and they'll be activated. Anyway, even you can't activated Windows, you still can use Windows without much issue... I think the only thing you can't do is "Personalization" without activation.
HHHmmm So I had a PC that was upgraded from 8.1 to 10 and the HD just died. I'm wondering If when I get my ssd in if I can restore from my backup and it activate.
Well I'll see.
Great information. Good video. I'm subscribed now. Thanks!
Another step towards "Want windows? Buy a new computer then!" If you're too poor, or happy with your existing computer: "Tough!"
Let them eat cake! I'll try the mint flavored Linux.
I honestly had forgotten all about this upgrade feature. Microsoft gave people plenty of time to use this option which is a good thing because I know of no one who is using Win 7, 8 or 8.1 anymore.
Now you do.
@@Wilhuf1Count me in as well!
I still use Windows 98 to play older computer games. It is running on a Pentium 2 machine.
Run it as VM.
Really? We have them running BIG machines - including W98 and XP. They never go online and funny enough, never fall over. On 24/7/365. But our really old machines don't run on Windows or Dos at all. They not only boot from a floppy but all the programs fit on that same floppy with room to spare. all 1.44Mb.
I've actually taken Windows 10 off the laptops at home. So slow, always phoning home whereas Linux is so much faster.
Not exactly sure what they think they're achieving here.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the only difference between an activated and non activated windows install now a days the lack of some basic, non crucial features and a water mark?
I mean You still get updates and such IIRC, so all they're doing is saying "Yeah just don't bother even activating it now"
Unless I'm missing something here, which is entirely possible, it just seems like people are just going to install Windows and not bother activating it. They're still getting a free install and directly from Microsoft no less, so no risk involved with shady cracked downloads.
Seems like a completely pointless effort.
Yeah. You can use Windows 11 indefinitely without activating it with a license, but you'll see "Activate Windows" watermarks and reminders and lose access to many personalization settings. You can use 3rd party programs to make those setting changes if you want. Despite non-activation core functionality including updates and the ability to install your own apps and games won't be affected. So it's a nothing burger ;-)
I'll stick with Enterprise.. Cheers for the Info!
Jeeeeez, you scared the crap out of me! 😮 Win 10 still works, just not older versions. Gotcha. 😅
I have Windows 10, but I don't wanna upgrade to Windows 11, and I don't think I ever will. I think 10 might be my last Windows before switching to Linux unless Windows 12 REALLY impresses me. After 10 reaches End Of Life and launchers like Steam stop supporting it, that's when I'll jump ship to Linux.
Using the Steam Deck lately made me a lot less skeptical of any Linux distro, especially with how much Proton/Wine compatibility has improved.
Microsoft should re-consider on this issue...
Any ways thanks for this news...
Hard to see Microsoft backing down on this policy
This could cause a global boycott of Windows.
When they started forcing people to use One Drive against our will I decided to Uninstall One Drive from my pcs because I do not even need it.
I hate Cloud Services anyway where monthly fees are added to them and I have no interest in making the rich richer.
If you have the image ISO installed on 2 usbs it can still be done, for Windows 8.1 x64 to Windows 10 x64. But I am worried about I don't like Windows 11 at all. The last copy or edition of Windows 10 is set to expire soon and what it means, Microsoft Will stop all monthly updates or ruin the ISO through updates and errors to force us to install Windows 11
Thank God, my Surface Pro 2 (Windows 8.1 Pro) still works on the latest Windows 11 Insider Dev
I should probably add to this video, a week or two ago I successfully upgraded a Windows 7 laptop to Windows 10 that had never been upgraded before. Didn't have to pay for a new license to activate. Might be worth keeping that in mind.
I was surprised a few months ago, when I used an old W 7 key to install W 10, and it activated with mo problems.
I have Win 10 on my home computers, and I'm happy with them. I have Win 11 at work and am not so impressed, so I see no need to upgrade. On the other hand, I miss the older versions of win, like XP and 7 and the programs that ran best under these OS systems.
I don't like Win 11 but I am used to it.
@@redjazzjrSRM To be fair, I don't get to do much with the Win 11 computer beyond using two work programs. I recently bought a laptop BECAUSE it came with Win 10 instead of 11, but I might not have that option next time.
Just because MS no longer supports a given OS doesn't mean you can't still use it.
My wife has 11 on hers while I still have 10. I don't see any benefit.
I recently got a new PC. It came with Wee11 Pro.
It was horrible, horrible shit. Instantly nuked the SSD and slapped in a hacked copy of W10 IOT LTSC edition. With a couple extra hacks and edits, it's honestly pretty good.
Not quite Win7 still, but easily the next-best thing to come out since 7.
I tried to upgrade windows 3.11 on a 386 machine to windows 10. I don't know why... but it didn't work. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
There is a TSR available that runs Windows 10 in himem. That might be your best solution.
@@davidvanderklauw Thanks, but I was just playing around. I really don't need or want windows 10 to run on a 386.
I was able to use that loophole a couple of years ago to upgrade our Win 7 PCs when it reached end of support. None our our current desktops or laptops meet the Win 11 system requirements. Personally I have no desire to install new Windows version. If I had my druthers we would still be on Win 7.
Hey, mate will I upgrade
Windows 10 to Windows 12
Yes, its still a FREE upgrade
I think it's because of those cheap key resellers like you said! And that hurts microsoft, because it could've sold you a retail key, so they are in fact losing money with those old keys floating around. Now, will they double down on enforcing windows 11 spec list? Absolutely not, a lot of 3th world countries just can't afford to buy newer pcs. And they still want to be able to make money of those people as well by showing ads for example, so Windows 11 will always be available to install onto older hardware. I still use Windows 10, as i don't see the benefits of upgrading to windows 11 (yes, my pc is absolutely capable of running WIndows 11!!).
I bought a laptop that had Windows 11 last year and immediately installed Windows 10 on it. The UI is horrible.
How about fixing actual bugs in Windows.
Well then, there goes one of my side hussles. No wonder I was having trouble activating Windows yesterday, still have dozens of Win7, 8 & 8.1 Keys that are now useless.
Yeah since Windows 11 came out I've kept a laptop with Linux on it around so I can experiment and slowly familiarize myself with it. Once they kill off Win10 I'll probably switch over for good since there's absolutely no way I'll ever use 11.
I keep a W10 VM around to run excel and our travel laptop on W10 because my wife insists but since she only used the browser I suspect she'd not notice if I switch to a Linux distro
And don’t use the activators online as loads of issues with viruses and other problems
Microsoft may not let Windows 11 23H2 be installed on systems that don't meet the system requirements
I think its coming, I can see Microsoft closing that loophole as well.
That's really unfortunate and sad 😢
That happens on the Canary builds
I installed win 11 on a ddr2 system yesterday lol. It actually works better than win 10 did....