Windows 10
A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.
10,538 questions
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Windows 11 do not have new activation system, all the keys are the same as Windows 10
Activating Windows 10 OS with Windows 11 key
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(160, 99%, 25%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EDM%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
David Martin
36
Reputation points
I think I messed up my first PC build a little. Let me start.
I have put together my first PC using a tutorial from a couple of years ago but using newer components (everything works and I can access the BIOS no problem)
I thought I might as well buy the product key for Windows 11 as it's the newest OS and after booting the install media and putting in the key the program said my PC was incompatible with being able to run Windows 11 (probably because I don't have a famed TMP or the PC isn't hooked up to the internet yet)
My question is - would I be able to use my Windows 11 product key to instead boot Windows 10 on my build using the Windows 10 install media which I am sure will run no problem? Or is the process more complicated then that...
UPDATE: IT WORKED! I downloaded the Windows 10 install media and ran it on my system - after inputting the Windows 11 product key the system installed the OS no problem.
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![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(176, 51%, 27%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EAD%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Adina Dobrotescu 0 Reputation points2023-04-04T16:10:13.87+00:00 I confirm this has worked for me too
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![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(89.60000000000001, 81%, 18%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3ERA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Reza-Ameri 16,826 Reputation points2021-10-14T15:35:24.217+00:00 In case you have Windows 10 installed and you upgrade to the Windows 11 , your device will be activated. However, you won't be able to activate Windows 10 using Windows 11 product key. You may check with the vendor and see if they have any return policy.
In case you are not sure if your device is ready for the Windows 11, we advise you to run the PC Health Check app or run the installation and it will check for compatibility during the boot time.-
David Martin 36 Reputation points
2021-10-14T15:54:20.893+00:00 Is there a way that I can run the PC Health Check on a PC which doesn't even have an OS yet?
I would be interested to know what it is preventing the installation before I have to go out any buy another component.
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Leon Laude 85,641 Reputation points2021-10-14T16:21:55.61+00:00 @David Martin : Unfortunately it is not possible to run the PC Health Check tool without a Windows-based operating system.
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Reza-Ameri 16,826 Reputation points
2021-10-15T15:13:43.357+00:00 No it is not possible and in this case, you could create the Windows 11 bootable media and when it will run the setup, it will tell you whether your device is ready or not.
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