Question obtaining windows 10 question

[simtcr]

Hello

I am building a brand new pc and have a question about obtaining windows 10.

In 2013 January I had purchased Windows 8 Pro via Microsoft website and I still have the product key for it. The PC where I ran this Windows 8 Pro is not any more available. It died and I junked it.

Will it be possible to install above Window 8 Pro on the new build and activate it using the product key. And then upgrade it to windows 10 without any additional fee?

If that is not an option, can I run windows 10 without activating it? And still get security updates?

Thanks.

 

[R_1]

in order asked
it should activate for you if the key is not in active use on another machine.
IDK for sure, I think the free upgrade ended.
yes
yes

update: found this

Can you still get a Windows 10 upgrade for free?

Microsoft kept giving away free upgrades to Windows 10 on old hardware for more than eight years. The upgrades officially ended in 2023, but I've seen scattered reports that it still works for some people. So, do you feel lucky?

www.zdnet.com

 

[howtobeironic]

In my case I managed to use the Windows 8 (not 8.1) key came embedded with the PC to do the upgrade. Free upgrade period might have ended but activation servers still accept 7/8/8.1 keys. Just say "I don't have a product key" when it asks first and activate on the next boot. If it somehow does not activate you might need to set an 8 up, then upgrade it to a 8.1 then try the activation again (though Windows rolled back 8 medias a long time ago and since I ran through the same hurdles, I know it's a pain to get an 8 install media. Maybe ask MS?)

 

[simtcr]

In my case I managed to use the Windows 8 (not 8.1) key came embedded with the PC to do the upgrade. Free upgrade period might have ended but activation servers still accept 7/8/8.1 keys. Just say "I don't have a product key" when it asks first and activate on the next boot. If it somehow does not activate you might need to set an 8 up, then upgrade it to a 8.1 then try the activation again (though Windows rolled back 8 medias a long time ago and since I ran through the same hurdles, I know it's a pain to get an 8 install media. Maybe ask MS?)

I do have Windows 8 Pro media on bootable USB pen drive. I had saved it originally when I bought it.

 

[howtobeironic]

Then that's not a problem to obtain. You are really lucky to have that in case Windows nags about the key, but I don't think it will. Should be A-OK using the 8 key for activation.

 

[USAFRet]

Even though the free upgrade period is officially over, using a previous valid Win 7 or 8.1 license does work to activate a new fresh Win 10 install.
You do not need to boot up from the WIn 8 media...just apply that license to the new Win 10 install.

 

[USAFRet]

For a new system, you'd have two ways forward.

1. Clean install of 10 on the new system. Apply the existing Win 8 license.

2. Install Win 8, Upgrade that to 8.1, then Upgrade that to Win 10. There was no inplace upgrade from Win 8 to Win 10. Only 7 or 8.1.

#1 is highly preferable.

 

[Lewis7150]

I’m about to do the same. I have Windows 10 home pro saved to a bootable CD with a new licence key from eBay to activate it. Worked last time I did it with win 7 and 8. Microsoft website is well expensive

 

[USAFRet]

I’m about to do the same. I have Windows 10 home pro saved to a bootable CD with a new licence key from eBay to activate it. Worked last time I did it with win 7 and 8. Microsoft website is well expensive

There is a reason fleabay licenses are so cheap. Because they're often/usually not really valid.
And yours is a whole different case. The OP here is not looking to buy a new license, but rather use the valid one he already has.

 

[Lewis7150]

Probably jinxed myself now 🤣 when I go to install I bet it says invalid haha

 

[simtcr]

Just wanted to let every know that, I was able to use the license key for windows 8 on a fresh windows 10 install on new PC.

Below article on microsoft forum also explain this question in detail.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...-windows/8466e983-eb3a-4ab8-84f8-47425c9600fc