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Ever since the official release of Windows 10 on July 29th, over 100 million PC users have upgraded their Windows 7/8.1 installations to Windows 10 using the free upgrade offer.
If you upgraded from Windows 7/8.1 to Windows 10 or plan to do so in near future, you probably are aware that you need to upgrade your current Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 installation to Windows 10 in order to get the free upgrade and it’s not currently possible to activate Windows 10 using your Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 product key.
Microsoft’s decision not to let users activate Windows 10 using genuine Windows 7/8.1 key has forced many users upgrade their Windows 7/8.1installation to Windows 10 even if they wanted to perform a clean install of Windows 10 from ISO. Although once the Windows 7/8.1 installation is successfully upgraded to Windows 10 and activated, it’s possible to easily reinstall Windows 10, many users are experiencing activation issues after the clean install.
Activate Windows 10 using Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 key
It looks like Microsoft has taken this activation issue as well feedback very seriously as Microsoft announced earlier last week that users will be able to activate their Windows 10 by using genuine Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 product key. What this means is that millions of PC users who are yet to upgrade to Windows 10 or over hundred million users who already upgraded to Windows 10 will soon be able activate Windows 10 by entering their Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 product key.
And before you jump with joy, please note that it’s not possible to activate the currently available Windows 10 build 10240 (RTM build) by entering Windows 7/8.1 product key. The feature has been incorporated in build 10565 which is currently being tested by Windows Insiders.
Nevertheless, in a few weeks from now, a new build of Windows 10 will be released to public and once it’s out, anyone can upgrade to Windows 10 and activate the copy using genuine Windows 7/8.1 product key.
This method of activating Windows 10 using Windows 7/8.1 product key works only if you attempt to activate Windows 10 on a PC or device which was previously running a genuine copy of Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. That is, if you had running a legitimate copy of Windows 7/8/8.1 on your PC, you can use this method to activate Windows 10.
To activate Windows 10 by entering your Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 product key:
Step 1: Open Settings app.
Step 2: Click Update and security.
Step 3: Click Activation. Click Change product key button.
Step 4: Enter your Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 product key and then click Next button to activate your Windows 10.
Huong Dan Active Win 10
While clean installing Windows 10 from bootable USB, DVD or ISO, when are prompted to enter the product key, simply enter the genuine product key of Windows 7, Windows 8 or 8.1 to activate your copy of Windows 10.
And if you can’t find your Windows 7/8.1 product key, please refer to our how to recover Windows 8/8.1 product key from BIOS and how to recover Windows 7 product key from registry guides.
Our how to check the activation status of Windows 10 and how to check why your copy of Windows 10 was not activated guides might also help you.
Microsoft has done an interesting thing with Windows 10. Besides giving it as a free upgrade to anyone with an activated Windows 7 or Windows 8 PC the OS is also one big shareware demo.
Specifically, by the demo I mean near fully functional OS that you can install anywhere to try out. This ability means you can download the Windows 10 ISO right from Microsoft and install it on a home-built PC, or any PC for that matter. Even Mac users can do this and install the OS using Bootcamp (more on this later).
How it works
Anyone can go and download the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft. Simply navigate to http://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10.
Active Win 10 Kmspico
If you are on a PC, you can download the Windows 10 Media Creation tool that lets you make an ISO for use on a DVD or USB key. You can then use this to install Windows 10 on any computer. The process allows you to pick the language, edition, and architecture.
Once you put the ISO onto that USB key or burn to a DVD, you are all set.
You do not have to Activate Windows 10
Perhaps one of the little unknown secrets about a Windows 10 installation is that you do not need to use a product key during the process.
Oh, Windows 10 prompts you for it, twice in fact. However, in both cases you can hit the little 'Skip for now' button and let Windows 10 install. It is tiny, but it is there.
So what happens? Nothing. Windows 10 Home or Pro is installed, and you can use it. There are just two limitations that I have come across:
- Watermark on the lower right-hand corner saying Activate Windows
- You cannot use anything under Personalization e.g. change wallpaper, accent colors, lock screen, themes, etc. All options are there, they are just grayed out and inaccessible
Key Active Win 10 Enterprise 64 Bit
Other than this you have a fully-functional Windows 10 OS. There are no nag prompts either and yes, you get all system updates (at least for the year).
You can enroll in the Windows Insider program. However, this just removes the watermark, but it will not allow you to personalize the computer.
Shhh, you still can personalize
What is amusing is although you cannot personalize the computer, you still can. This trick assumes you have other Windows 10 PCs that are activated, and you use the same Microsoft account on both. If you do, whatever you personalize on the activated PC or Mac syncs over to your non-activated version. This method is how I have a non-default wallpaper on the non-activated device used for this article.
Another trick, pointed out in comments, is that you can add new wallpaper. Simply open up the Photos app and hit the ellipsis in the upper right-hand corner. Choose 'Set as lock screen' or 'Set as background' and voila, you have personalized your PC.
It is an odd workaround, but you likely won't notice the limitations. Tekken tag game download.
All of this works on PC or Mac, too. This ability means those with Apple computers can just download and try out Windows 10 without consequence. Tomorrow Windows Central will show you how that works.
Now you want to Activate
However, maybe you do want to change that wallpaper or color. Alternatively, maybe you just feel bad and want to pay for a full-fledged license. Microsoft made this very simple. To buy a license to activate either Windows 10 Home or Pro, do the following:
1. Go to Settings
2. Go to Update & Security
3. Choose Activation
4. Select Go to Store
The Windows Store now opens to a product page for either version of Windows 10. You can now buy Home or Pro, and it unlocks and activates your version of Windows 10.
Windows 10 Home costs $119.99 , and Windows 10 Pro costs $199.99.
The purchase runs through the Store like any app purchase, and you can just use your Credit Card, PayPal, or whatever payment methods you set up.
The Takeaway
Microsoft has actually opened up Windows 10. The fact that you can download the ISO and install it without a product key on any PC or Mac is neat.
The idea here, of course, is to get the OS into as many hands as possible. This tactic is not much different than Google and Android and giving it away for free (granted, there are patent fees).
Microsoft wants Windows 10 on every computer because it is the Store and their services that are important. This strategy means that Windows 10 can be put everywhere with a tiny drawback. Sure, you have a watermark, and you cannot change the wallpaper, but if you are a Mac user and you want to tinker with Windows 10, there is literally nothing stopping you. It just works.
Even better, Microsoft makes buying Windows 10 through an un-activated copy very easy with a mere Store purchase. You do not even have to leave the house.
It is a strange new world if you enjoy Windows, but a much more user-friendly one too.
If you think this guide is helpful, we have many more posts like this in our Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks page. Or try our massive Windows 10 Forums at Windows Central for more help!
What do you think of Microsoft's new 'just take it!' approach to Windows 10?Let us know your thoughts in comments!
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