Solved Windows 10 and Windows 11 Digital Licencing explained

zbook said:

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Multiple versions. If when acquiring the software you were provided with multiple versions
(such as 32-bit and 64-bit versions), you may install and activate only one of those versions at a time.

It seems to allow the installation of just one version (not allowing dual boot without 2 licenses?)

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That is what the EULA states. It is not what Microsoft enforces.

FerchogtX said:

Peeps, sorry to bump this thread but, apparently seems MS has deprecated HWID activations (Meaning you can't use Windows 7 Keys anymore to install Windows 10/11). Anyone has confirmation or info about this?

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I have confirmed that it is not true. I just created a brand new ISO file with the media creation tool. I then installed it to a brand new VM without entering any product key, selecting Home. It was not activated. I allowed Windows 11 do to all updates until no updates were left. I then changed the product key to an old OEM Windows 7 Home Premium product key from the COA sticker off of a retired computer. This activated the Windows 11 Home. Then I disconnected the VM from the internet and changed the product key to the generic for Windows 11 Pro and upgraded to Pro. I reconnected to the internet and Windows 11 Pro was not activated. I then changed the product to an old Windows 7 Pro OEM product key, again from the COA sticker off a retired computer. This activated the Windows 11 Pro.

Windows 7 product keys will still activate Windows 11 - you just can't use them during the Windows setup process. You have to install Windows 11 without a product key first and then activate it after it is installed.

It seems to work like gatherosstate.exe.

NavyLCDR said:

I have confirmed that it is not true. I just created a brand new ISO file with the media creation tool. I then installed it to a brand new VM without entering any product key, selecting Home. It was not activated. I allowed Windows 11 do to all updates until no updates were left. I then changed the product key to an old OEM Windows 7 Home Premium product key from the COA sticker off of a retired computer. This activated the Windows 11 Home. Then I disconnected the VM from the internet and changed the product key to the generic for Windows 11 Pro and upgraded to Pro. I reconnected to the internet and Windows 11 Pro was not activated. I then changed the product to an old Windows 7 Pro OEM product key, again from the COA sticker off a retired computer. This activated the Windows 11 Pro.

Windows 7 product keys will still activate Windows 11 - you just can't use them during the Windows setup process. You have to install Windows 11 without a product key first and then activate it after it is installed.

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Oh thanks! That's a relief!
Just another question: Does it still work that you can tie that digital licence to your MS account and activate another PC with it? (I think this has some limitations tho)

FerchogtX said:

Oh thanks! That's a relief!
Just another question: Does it still work that you can tie that digital licence to your MS account and activate another PC with it? (I think this has some limitations tho)

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Yes.

NavyLCDR said:

Yes.

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Ohhh nice! Thanks a lot!!

FerchogtX said:

Peeps, sorry to bump this thread but, apparently seems MS has deprecated HWID activations (Meaning you can't use Windows 7 Keys anymore to install Windows 10/11). Anyone has confirmation or info about this?

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There's a closely related discussion in
Free Activation from Windows 7/8 key or upgrade to Windows 10/11 Ends- ElevenForum
that includes the results of interesting experimentation with a Windows 7 CoA Product key by Bree in post #13.


I thought you'd like to know,
Denis

PS There's a corresponding discussion in Free Activation from Windows 7/8 key or upgrade to Windows 10/11 Ends - TenForums

NavyLCDR said:

Windows 7 product keys will still activate Windows 11 - you just can't use them during the Windows setup process. You have to install Windows 11 without a product key first and then activate it after it is installed.

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This is totally inline with my experience as well (@Bree has experienced similar).

Same applies to Windows 10.

Wow, I had no idea how complicated Microsoft made their licensing. Maybe I should have come here directly with my problem. I built hundreds of computers over the years, and although not a major manufacturer, I guess I might have been considered an OEM. On every computer I built, I bought the OS license. I'd get a package with an original CD/DVD, a booklet with some information, including a label with the product key. I seldom ever had to do a clean reinstallation for customers or myself. I did this through every OS Microsoft ever published. Back in the floppy years, I'd get the new floppies.

OK, I built my personal PC about 10 years ago on an Asus motherboard. It worked fine for all the uses I needed. Recently I decided to upgrade its hardware. I'd added a bunch of pluggable storage devices, but now it was motherboard, RAM, & cpu.

Before I did that, my license had validly updated for years to the latest version of Windows 10 Pro. As I was finishing the final driver installations, I got a Windows Update notification, and without thinking, I installed it. Immediately after that update, I got a you must activate Windows notice. I thought, routine, so I went through the steps, but it did not validate my registered key. In over 10 years I never was asked for my product key. Now I was forced to go on a search through a large number of storage boxes. I have not yet found my disk and id.

I know that I had been able to find it in the registry, but when I tried that approach, it had been wiped out. When I was finally able to reach MS Support, after opening up a couple of numbered cases and not even a peep response, I provided them with as much documentation of proof my license was actively used for the past two years without any question of its validity.

I was honestly trying to do the right thing, but they were treating me as if I were a liar.

I've stepped through everything in Ten Forums' tutorials to reactivate after a hardware change. The steps fail at the last dialog telling me to try again later, and the activation is never validated. I feel like I'm the victim of ransom extortion. Because they're the monster monopoly and I'm a little nobody, they'll probably force me to lay out the money for a new license. This should not have happened.

I've been on other forums here trying every bit of advice and suggestion, which have now gone down to trying tweakers and buying cheap keys.

From @NavyLCDR

Windows 7 product keys will still activate Windows 11 - you just can't use them during the Windows setup process. You have to install Windows 11 without a product key first and then activate it after it is installed.

That sounds great, but if I have to do a clean install of Windows 10 Pro (or 11) I won't I lose 10 years of installations and refinements? I have a purchased OEM original disk and key that I was able to find. If I could use that key, then my problem would be solved, but I get the same end result. My installation won't be activated.

If anyone read my problem, I upgraded hardware after using my original key without ever being asked for it again over 10 years. It's lost in storage somewhere. A Windows Update at the end of my new hardware drivers installation wiped out my key from their servers. MS now sees my device as pre-hardware change. I immediately tried a system restore to a point created before the upgrade, but it failed to restore. What do I do now? Take the hardware back to when it was working and try to activate? I'm assuming that going back will be another hardware change now.

I sought help extensively on TenForum before seeing this thread and coming here. My computer setup is now MSI Pro Z690-A DDR4 64 bit, DDR4 RAM, Intel i-7, with a not activated 22H2 19045.3448.

Hey guys, by sheer accident, I got a call from Microsoft support. The agent told me that my problem was simply an activation error. I had always thought the product key was stored in the registry, but the agent told me it is stored on the motherboard. He told me to use the old motherboard to "build" another PC. I found an adequate case and did just that. Then he told me if I booted in to Windows from that old board (the one that I upgraded from), I could run wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey and that would give me the product key from the old motherboard. Well, that did not work. the command returned nothing.

But, it occurred to me to go through the activation process again, now on the newly built PC on the old motherboard. I just disconnected the system drive from the newly built computer on the new hardware (which by the way is working beautifully except for the activation problem. Guess what, the process told me this new (old) Windows installation is already activated!

I'll be surprised if putting my system disk back in the new hardware upgraded MSI motherboard PC will report as activated, though. If that works, I'll let you know.

Hi, so I created a W11 VM and used a product key to activate. It states its activated with a digital license. I never used a Microsoft account with the VM , only a local account. How can it be activated with a digital license if I am only using a local account?

scottodono said:

How can it be activated with a digital license if I am only using a local account?

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All Win 10 and 11 computers receive a digital license when activated with a valid key.
When you use a MS account it attaches that digital license to your account.

Porthos said:

All Win 10 and 11 computers receive a digital license when activated with a valid key.
When you use a MS account it attaches that digital license to your account.
View attachment 85496

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So what if I later want to delete the VM and use the key elsewhere? Can I just so slmgr /upk (not exact syntax) first and key will be usable again?

--- Enterprise fan!

scottodono said:

So what if I later want to delete the VM and use the key elsewhere?

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Is it a retail key? then yes but do not move it too many times in a short time period or you will have to call MS to reactivate it.

Porthos said:

Is it a retail key? then yes but do not move it too many times in a short time period or you will have to call MS to reactivate it.

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Indeed, same problem here.

I have a number of retail, Windows Pro licenses (2x 7 Ult., 8, 8.1, 10, still have an unused (boxed shrinkwrapped) Windows 10 here)

Q: For me, indeed, the confusing part is : how about the licences used by various VM's?

Once creating a VM, a license is required. I used a Windows 10 license.
However, when checking the license key (using showkey tool) it will show a different key than the one used to activate the VM.
(One has to carefully record the 1.original key, 2. for what VM it has been used, 3. the 'new' (VM) key, but when deleting the VM (VMware) and recently a Hyper-V VM.
I forgot to de-activate the keys, using cmd slmgr.vbs /upk.)


Specifically when buying/using a new PC (which is my intention some time in the coming months).
(The new PC will come with a retail Windows 11 pro anyhow)

Q: Can I still use those old Windows keys? They are all retail, so basically 'transferrable'(?)

The problem/question is that I have created and deleted VM's, without de-activating the key (cmd: slmgr.vbs /upk)
That was quite a while ago.

Regretfully Microsoft does not have some sort of license manager in place within the Microsoft Account so as to see the purchased (and activated) keys.

Thanks.

tfwul said:

the confusing part is : how about the licences used by various VM's?

Once creating a VM, a license is required. I used a Windows 10 license.
However, when checking the license key (using showkey tool) it will show a different key than the one used to activate the VM.
(One has to carefully record the 1.original key, 2. for what VM it has been used, 3. the 'new' (VM) key, but when deleting the VM (VMware) and recently a Hyper-V VM.
I forgot to de-activate the keys, using cmd slmgr.vbs /upk.)

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The installed key will be the generic key for the edition installed, Home or Pro: Generic Product Keys to Install or Upgrade Windows 11 Editions

A VM has its own unique hardware ID and is treated the same as any other machine, physical or virtual makes no difference. The key thing when finished with your VM is to preserve the digital licence for re-use later.