Retail Win7 product key or ShowKeyPlus product key to install Win11?


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mck

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I installed Win10 on my self-built PC using the product key from my retail copy of Win7.
I now want to dismantle the Win10 PC and use the power supply and SSDs for a new DIY Win11 PC.

I ran ShowKeyPlus on the Win10 PC. The "Installed Key" is different from the Win7 product key I used.
Searching tenforums, I found a post that said: "When you install win10 with a win7 key, it changes the key to a win10 key".

So when I'm ready to install a downloaded win11 media creation on the new PC, I'll first deactivate win10 on the old PC.
Then I'll take the PS from the old PC and install it on the new PC plus a new 256 GB SSD for win11 and installed programs only.
I'll install the data SSDs from the old win10 PC after I get win11 working on the new DIY PC.

But when I install win11 on the new DIY PC, which product key should I use to activate win11? The retail win7 key or the ShowKeyPlus key?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K32GBUsing integrated graphics
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Self Built
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K
Motherboard
MSI Pro Z890-P WiFi
Memory
32GB
Graphics Card(s)
Using integrated graphics
Monitor(s) Displays
LG
Screen Resolution
4K
Hard Drives
512 GB SSD, 2TB M.2 SSD and 2TB SATA SSD
PSU
Seasonic Modular 550 watt Focus Plus
Case
Corsair 4000D
Cooling
ThermalRight Phantom Sprit
I normally use a different approach:

Install Windows with no product key (select the option that says that you have no key during installation). After installation, when you try to activate and it fails it will give you an option to troubleshoot. You can tell it that you recently changed hardware. It should offer you the ability to transfer the license (assuming that you had a MS account that the previous system was linked to).
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro 26H2 (Release Preview)Intel i7-14650HX32 GBNo GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    OS
    Win11 Pro 26H2 (Release Preview)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic Matrix M5
    CPU
    Intel i7-14650HX
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Varies as machine will often be moved to locations with different monitors
    Screen Resolution
    Varies
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    120W Power Brick
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Max RGB Magnetic Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro 26H2 (Release Preview)Intel i7-1255U16 GBIntel Iris Xe Graphics
    Operating System
    Win11 Pro 26H2 (Release Preview)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    4 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging Using an Anker 160W Charger
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
More detail on what "hsehestedt" refers to:

Reactivating Windows after a hardware change | Microsoft Support

Learn how to prepare your Windows device for a hardware change and find help reactivating Windows after a hardware change is complete.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com

I've never verified it, but I have read that with the digital license, the difference between retail and OEM licenses has been eliminated.

I've wished that Windows had an explicit deactivation, but MS now seems to allow easy transfers (if you have an MS account), as long as the number of activated installs is kept the same.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 26300.9278Amd Threadripper 7970X128GB (4 X 32) G.Skill DDR5 6400 (RDIMM)Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    OS
    Windows 11 26300.9278
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D Rev. 1.0
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) G.Skill DDR5 6400 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Innocn 32" OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    BeQuiet! Straight Power 12 1500W
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    SilverStone Technology XE360-TR5, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Cherry KC 500 MX LP (mechanical)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    2000/250 Mbps (down/up)
    Other Info
    xFinity gateway

  • At a glance

    windows 11 26300.9278Intel I9-13900K64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Operating System
    windows 11 26300.9278
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 27" OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Cherry Streaming (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
hsehestedt said:
I normally use a different approach:

Install Windows with no product key (select the option that says that you have no key during installation). After installation, when you try to activate and it fails it will give you an option to troubleshoot. You can tell it that you recently changed hardware. It should offer you the ability to transfer the license (assuming that you had a MS account that the previous system was linked to).
Click to expand...
So your method does not involve the need to enter any product key at all to activate Win11?

BTW, I'm not sure if I used a MS account or local account when I installed Win10 on my current PC. How can I verify whether I used a MS account or not?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K32GBUsing integrated graphics
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Self Built
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K
Motherboard
MSI Pro Z890-P WiFi
Memory
32GB
Graphics Card(s)
Using integrated graphics
Monitor(s) Displays
LG
Screen Resolution
4K
Hard Drives
512 GB SSD, 2TB M.2 SSD and 2TB SATA SSD
PSU
Seasonic Modular 550 watt Focus Plus
Case
Corsair 4000D
Cooling
ThermalRight Phantom Sprit
bobkn said:
More detail on what "hsehestedt" refers to:

Reactivating Windows after a hardware change | Microsoft Support

Learn how to prepare your Windows device for a hardware change and find help reactivating Windows after a hardware change is complete.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com

I've never verified it, but I have read that with the digital license, the difference between retail and OEM licenses has been eliminated.

I've wished that Windows had an explicit deactivation, but MS now seems to allow easy transfers (if you have an MS account), as long as the number of activated installs is kept the same.
Click to expand...
I'll check out that link this evening. Gotta do some "Honey do chores now" :-). Thanks
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K32GBUsing integrated graphics
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Self Built
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K
Motherboard
MSI Pro Z890-P WiFi
Memory
32GB
Graphics Card(s)
Using integrated graphics
Monitor(s) Displays
LG
Screen Resolution
4K
Hard Drives
512 GB SSD, 2TB M.2 SSD and 2TB SATA SSD
PSU
Seasonic Modular 550 watt Focus Plus
Case
Corsair 4000D
Cooling
ThermalRight Phantom Sprit

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K32GBUsing integrated graphics
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Self Built
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K
Motherboard
MSI Pro Z890-P WiFi
Memory
32GB
Graphics Card(s)
Using integrated graphics
Monitor(s) Displays
LG
Screen Resolution
4K
Hard Drives
512 GB SSD, 2TB M.2 SSD and 2TB SATA SSD
PSU
Seasonic Modular 550 watt Focus Plus
Case
Corsair 4000D
Cooling
ThermalRight Phantom Sprit
mck said:
So your method does not involve the need to enter any product key at all to activate Win11?
Click to expand...
That is correct. I use a product key to install on a machine for the very first time, then I toss the key because I will never need it again.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro 26H2 (Release Preview)Intel i7-14650HX32 GBNo GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    OS
    Win11 Pro 26H2 (Release Preview)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic Matrix M5
    CPU
    Intel i7-14650HX
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Varies as machine will often be moved to locations with different monitors
    Screen Resolution
    Varies
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    120W Power Brick
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Max RGB Magnetic Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro 26H2 (Release Preview)Intel i7-1255U16 GBIntel Iris Xe Graphics
    Operating System
    Win11 Pro 26H2 (Release Preview)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    4 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging Using an Anker 160W Charger
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
hsehestedt said:
That is correct. I use a product key to install on a machine for the very first time, then I toss the key because I will never need it again.
Click to expand...
Yep - although digital licences have been around for a decade now (first started on 2015), it is amazing how few people do not realise the basic point about digital licences i.e. once a device is granted a digital licence (upon first activation), you no longer need the original activation key, as you say.

As a clarification, this fundamental property of digital licences is independent of using a local or MS account. However, if you use an MS account, it enables the ability to transfer the digital licence to a new unlicensed pc.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ16 GB solderedIntegrated Intel Iris XE
OS
Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
ASUS Zenbook 14
CPU
I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
Motherboard
Yep, Laptop has one.
Memory
16 GB soldered
Graphics Card(s)
Integrated Intel Iris XE
Sound Card
Realtek built in
Monitor(s) Displays
laptop OLED screen
Screen Resolution
2880x1800 touchscreen
Hard Drives
1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
PSU
Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
Case
Yep, got one
Cooling
Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
Keyboard
Built in UK keybd
Mouse
Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
Internet Speed
900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Defender
Other Info
TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

Macrium Reflect Home V8
Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
Only thing I would add here is that if you need an offline pc imaged, keeping your key is necessary. Depends on what type of environment you’ll be using it in.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
mck said:
I'll check out that link this evening. Gotta do some "Honey do chores now" :-). Thanks
Click to expand...
@bobkn,
Your link on "Reactivating windows after a hardware change" is very good. It also contained a link on how to verify if one's copy of Windows is linked to a Microsoft account. That link confirmed that my current copy of Win10 is linked to a MS account.

Using both links, I should be able to transfer activation from my current Win10 to a new Win11 PC.
Thanks!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K32GBUsing integrated graphics
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Self Built
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K
Motherboard
MSI Pro Z890-P WiFi
Memory
32GB
Graphics Card(s)
Using integrated graphics
Monitor(s) Displays
LG
Screen Resolution
4K
Hard Drives
512 GB SSD, 2TB M.2 SSD and 2TB SATA SSD
PSU
Seasonic Modular 550 watt Focus Plus
Case
Corsair 4000D
Cooling
ThermalRight Phantom Sprit
mck said:
I'll check out that link this evening. Gotta do some "Honey do chores now" :-). Thanks.
Click to expand...
@dacrone,
I think bobkn's link will do the job. Thanks for your support though.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K32GBUsing integrated graphics
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Self Built
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K
Motherboard
MSI Pro Z890-P WiFi
Memory
32GB
Graphics Card(s)
Using integrated graphics
Monitor(s) Displays
LG
Screen Resolution
4K
Hard Drives
512 GB SSD, 2TB M.2 SSD and 2TB SATA SSD
PSU
Seasonic Modular 550 watt Focus Plus
Case
Corsair 4000D
Cooling
ThermalRight Phantom Sprit
A few weeks ago I rebuilt two computers

Computer #1: Windows 11
* Windows 10 Pro Retail -> Windows 11 Pro

Computer #2: Dual-boot Windows 7 & 10
* Windows 7 Home Retail
* Windows 7 Ultimate Retail > Windows 10 Pro

I replaced the motherboards with entirely different ones for each. However, I kept the same boot drives.
Each of the three versions of Windows on the two computers at first showed needing activation. However, the reactivation only took a few seconds. No product keys were needed.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.6901)AMD Ryzen 7 6800H with Radeon 680M GPU (486MB...Crucial DDR5-4800 (2400MHz) 32GB (2 x 16GB)NVIDIA RTX 3060 Laptop (6GB RAM)
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.6901)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2022)
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800H with Radeon 680M GPU (486MB RAM)
    Memory
    Crucial DDR5-4800 (2400MHz) 32GB (2 x 16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3060 Laptop (6GB RAM)
    Sound Card
    n/a
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 300Hz
    Hard Drives
    2 x Samsung 990 Evo Plus (2TB M.2 NVME SSD)
    PSU
    n/a
    Mouse
    Wireless Mouse M510
    Internet Speed
    2100Mbps/300Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8246)AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3DG.SKILL Flare X 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3060TI-08G-V2-GAMING (RTX 3...
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8246)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II
    Memory
    G.SKILL Flare X 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3060TI-08G-V2-GAMING (RTX 3060-Ti, 8GB RAM)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung G50D IPS 27"
    Screen Resolution
    1440p/180Hz
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 990 EVO Plus (2TB] M.2 NVME SSD
    SAMSUNG 990 EVO Plus (4TB) M.2 NVME SSD
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x (750 watts)
    Case
    Cooler Master MasterCase 5
    Cooling
    Scythe Mugen 6
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520 (MK540 keyboard/mouse combo)
    Mouse
    Logitech M310 (MK540 keyboard/mouse combo)
    Internet Speed
    2100 Mbps down / 300 Mbps up
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes (Premium)
    Other Info
    ASUS Blu-ray Burner BW-16D1HT (SATA) || Western Digital Easystore 20TB USB 3.0 external hard drive used with Acronis True Image 2025 backup software || HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 Printer/Scanner
MisterEd said:
A few weeks ago I rebuilt two computers

Computer #1: Windows 11
* Windows 10 Pro Retail -> Windows 11 Pro

Computer #2: Dual-boot Windows 7 & 10
* Windows 7 Home Retail
* Windows 7 Ultimate Retail > Windows 10 Pro

I replaced the motherboards with entirely different ones for each. However, I kept the same boot drives.
Each of the three versions of Windows on the two computers at first showed needing activation. However, the reactivation only took a few seconds. No product keys were needed.
Click to expand...
Was a clean fresh copy of Win11 installed on Computer #1 or was Win10 upgraded to Win11? Thanks.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K32GBUsing integrated graphics
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Self Built
CPU
Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K
Motherboard
MSI Pro Z890-P WiFi
Memory
32GB
Graphics Card(s)
Using integrated graphics
Monitor(s) Displays
LG
Screen Resolution
4K
Hard Drives
512 GB SSD, 2TB M.2 SSD and 2TB SATA SSD
PSU
Seasonic Modular 550 watt Focus Plus
Case
Corsair 4000D
Cooling
ThermalRight Phantom Sprit
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