Question I got Windows 10 on my current PC, using a retail key from Windows 8.1. Should I install windows 10 or 11 on new PC with my key?

[Rainzord]

Hello!

I am upgrading myself, and I bought a new PC. My current PC has windows 10 installed and running, with a retail key of Windows 8.1. I might be doing a fresh install of windows with a new PC I bought, and I will be using the same retail key. My question is this: should I download and make a bootable Windows 10 setup, install it using my retail key, and then upgrade to windows 11 - OR, I should already install the windows 11 bootable setup, and I will be able to use my windows 10/8.1 retail key to install the Windows 11?
Couldn't find an answer anywhere.

Thank you.

 

[USAFRet]

Is your system in fact 100% Windows 11 capable?

An otherwise unused Win 8.1 license WILL work to activate a Win 10 install, and I believe it will work for a Win 11 install.

You can't use that same license on a NEW system, and still keep it on your old system.
One or the other.

 

[Rainzord]

Is your system in fact 100% Windows 11 capable?

An otherwise unused Win 8.1 license WILL work to activate a Win 10 install, and I believe it will work for a Win 11 install.

You can't use that same license on a NEW system, and still keep it on your old system.
One or the other.

Yes I think it is - i712700 should be win11'able.

About the other thing you wrote - I have my retail cd-key attached to my email account. As I understood, I can still use it on my new PC, as long as I don't connect to the internet with my old PC again, after I use my windows key from my old computer on the new one. Do you have any idea if thats correct?

 

[USAFRet]

Yes I think it is - i712700 should be win11'able.

About the other thing you wrote - I have my retail cd-key attached to my email account. As I understood, I can still use it on my new PC, as long as I don't connect to the internet with my old PC again, after I use my windows key from my old computer on the new one. Do you have any idea if thats correct?

Yes, if the license is linked to your MS account, then you just go into your account details, and tell it which PC that license is to be used for.

 

[Rainzord]

Thank you! ❤

 

[tetabic]

Hey, thanks to y'all for the answers and the details.