Windows 7 product key to activate windows 10

Anonymous
2020-02-23T08:49:07+00:00

Hi, Hoping someone can help me? I have a dell pc which came with Windows 7 Home Prem OA MEA pre installed it has a product key on the computer box. Recently my original hard drive crashed and I cant even get it to boot, so I had to install a new hard drive and thought since windows 7 is no longer used I will install Windows 10 pro, Which I did but it wont let me use my windows 7 product key to activate it. How can I resolve this problem?

Thanks everyone.solved my problem by installing windows 10 pro and formatting hard drive installed Windows 10 home

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Licensing and activation

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Paul Chou 1,471 Reputation points
2020-02-23T08:56:41+00:00

hi there:

The free upgrade to Win. 10 from Win. 7 has ended years ago. But here is what I found.

As part of Windows 10’s November update, Microsoft changed the Windows 10 installer disc to also accept Windows 7 or 8.1 keys. This allowed users to perform a clean install Windows 10 and enter a valid Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 key during installation. Windows 10 would then report that key to Microsoft’s servers, and Windows 10’s activation servers would give your PC a “digital entitlement” (now a “digital license”) to continue using Windows 10 for free, just as if you had upgraded.

This also works from within Windows 10. Even if you don’t provide a key during the installation process, you can head to Settings > Update & Security > Activation and enter a Windows 7 or 8.1 key here instead of a Windows 10 key. Your PC will receive a digital entitlement.

hope that helps

Was this answer helpful?

300+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
DaveM121 933.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2020-02-23T08:56:16+00:00

Hi Straatop

Officially, the free upgrade period from Windows 7 and 8 to Windows 10 ended 3 years ago and it is no longer possible to upgrade freely to Windows 10 . . .

That being said, a lot of users still find they can upgrade to Windows 10 with their Windows 7 product key, but there is no guarantees it will work . . .

Open the Settings App (gear icon on your Start Menu)

Go to System - About

On that page, is it the Home Edition of Windows 10 installed on your PC, because that must match the previous Windows 7 edition . . .

Was this answer helpful?

90+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Pauli O 16,380 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2020-02-23T09:19:23+00:00

Maybe I must install windows 10 home?

Yes. As you wrote you have key for Win 7 Home you have to install Win 10 Home.

Was this answer helpful?

8 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

69 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2020-10-06T03:17:55+00:00

    Pls Search for download windows 10 And First You Willl Get A Software From Microsoft Official Website. Then Run it And Select Upgrade This PC Now. I did The Same Thing. See this link https://www.thewindowsclub.com/find-windows-10-product-key-using-vb-script if you press this link n you copy and paste in notepad and save as test.vbs and you will get your product key.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2020-10-06T02:43:07+00:00

    I tried to upgrade Windows 10 from Windows 7 on my Laptop using my Windows 7 Product Key but I couldn't. I think its because my laptop cannot go to the internet. I tried to add the missing drivers so I could go on the internet but I couldn't do it. There is a red X in the internet icon so I believe that's the issue, but I think my problem is that the Product Key cannot be checked by Microsoft since it cannot go on the internet, or maybe it doesn't go to the internet to be checked? Either way, the Windows 7 Product Key doesn't work on the Windows 10 I'm trying to install.  I tried installing both versions "Home" and "Pro" but neither one worked.  How can I get Windows 10 installed? How do I get the Product Key to work?  I downloaded the Windows 10 on October 4, 2020.

    The reason I want to upgrade to Windows 10 is that I'm hoping that the internet drivers will be installed with the Windows 10 OS, but since I can't get online Microsoft can't check the Product Key. YIKES!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments