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

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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

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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 . . .

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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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-06-28T04:43:22+00:00

    PRODUCT KEY

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-05-25T17:09:50+00:00

    Ran the test got one fix then tried to upgrade again with the same outcome. I have removed a few things that the net claims may be a factor in stopping upgrading. I am currently attempting upgrade again.

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