Just activated a new install W11 VM with old Technet Win 8.1 key


jimbo45

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Hi folks

looks like a lot of those old Technet keys of W7/W8/W8.1 are still working to activate W11 installs !!!

Just needed a new VM -- got message after boot -- "Windows isn't activated. -- Went to change product key -- entered old technet key used a Windows 8.1 Pro key and Windows activated.

Don't throw away all those old technet keys just yet. !!!!

Cheers
jimbo
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
My Insider Dev is still activated with W7 key which is as old as W7 itself.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 and Insider Dev.+ Linux Mint
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home brewed
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 7900x
    Motherboard
    ASROCK b650 PRO RS
    Memory
    2x8GB Kingston 6000MHz, Cl 32 @ 6200MHz Cl30
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Rx 6600XT Gaming OC 8G Pro
    Sound Card
    MB, Realtek Ac1220p
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    Kingston KC3000. 1TBSamsung 970 evo Plus 500GB, Crucial P1 NVMe 1TB, Lexar NVMe 2 TB, Silicon Power M.2 SATA 500GB
    PSU
    Seasonic 750W
    Case
    Custom Raidmax
    Cooling
    Arctic Liquid Freezer III 360mm
    Internet Speed
    20/19 mbps
I have a Windows 8.1 key in the BIOS i'm thinking that would activate Windows 8.1 but also Windows 10 and 11
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Insider Beta
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7020
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-4590
    Motherboard
    OEM Motherboard
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 242V
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    HP 500GB
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security
I have a Windows 8.1 key in the BIOS. I'm thinking that would activate Windows 8.1 but also Windows 10 and 11 because Microsoft did that thing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Insider Beta
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7020
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-4590
    Motherboard
    OEM Motherboard
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 242V
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    HP 500GB
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security

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