Windows Vista to 7 to 10

[WiiUMasterGman]

Hi,

I was wondering if i could buy a used computer that has Windows Vista product key to upgrade to 7 then straight to 10?

 

[weilin]

Windows product keys are tied to the machine it came with. If you buy a used machine with Vista, you can upgrade that machine to Windows 7 and then to Windows 10. Do keep in mind the Vista to 7 upgrade is not free. You will have to purchase a OEM or upgrade license. The 7 to 10 upgrade is free.

If you plan on buying a old machine to use the Vista key on another machine, that would violate the Microsoft EULA. We can't help you here...

 

[Beebstar]

You'll need a Windows 7 license sticker. I boot to and install Windows 7 with a Dell DVD [see update below], activate it using the sticker, and then use the Windows 10 DVD that you can download with the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft to upgrade (within Windows).

Correction (July 2018): The Dell, Windows 7 DVD won't work easily anymore for the Windows 10 upgrade unless the machine is NOT a Dell (or is older than Windows 7). If you have a Dell from the Windows 7 era, use a non-Dell, OEM, Windows 7 DVD instead. Once installed, change the product key to the one from your license sticker (if you haven't entered it already). Confirm that Windows 7 has activated (using that key). Then disconnect from the Internet and proceed with using your Windows 10 DVD as mentioned above.

 

[USAFRet]

Hi,

I was wondering if i could buy a used computer that has Windows Vista product key to upgrade to 7 then straight to 10?

If you are planning on using this on that same PC, probably.

It won't really cost any less than just buying Win 10 on its own, though.
Vista to 7 is/was not a free Upgrade.

 

[WiiUMasterGman]

Wow that stinks 🙁