In December 2022, we published a short PSA, reminding users they could still activate Windows 11 and 10 with valid Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 keys. This practice dates back to 2015 when Microsoft ...

The installation path to obtain the Windows 7 / 8 free upgrade is now ... This means that those with old Windows keys will no longer be able to use them to activate a new version of Windows ...

Microsoft is investigating Windows activation issues that appear to be linked to the company’s recent move to block Windows 7 and Windows 8 keys from activating copies of Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Windows PowerShell is a utility that lets you automate Windows features including activation of the operating system. You must activate Windows with a valid license before all Windows features are ...

Many users opting for a free upgrade of Windows 11/10 will not get a product key ... on the Microsoft activation servers for the PC when you upgrade Windows 8.1 or Windows 7.

At least for now, though, it seems like this change will only apply to future Windows versions. We were able to activate a fresh Windows 11 Pro 22H2 install with a Windows 8 Pro product key as of ...

I’ve tested several Windows 7 keys on a clean install of Windows 11 (22H2) today — and while I could use the keys to install the OS, it wouldn’t activate. “We can’t activate Windows on ...

users weren't even allowed to access the OS and were forced to purchase the product key. However, starting with Windows 7, ...

If your key is not accepted and activation fails ... To update, you need to have Windows 8 or Windows 7 already on your PC. To upgrade to Windows 11, you need Windows 10. If you formatted or ...

Alex Kochis, director of Genuine Windows, acknowledges that an activation key given to Lenovo for Windows 7 installs has been exposed, distributed on the Internet. CNET editor Dong Ngo has been ...