Windows 10/11 Dual Boot installation and licensing

Christopher Priest 20 Reputation points
2023-03-02T18:40:46.1066667+00:00

I have some queries about installing Windows 11, on a device which currently runs Windows 10.

The existing Windows version is 10 Pro, which came already installed on the device when I bought it directly from the manufacturer, Dell. The device is Windows 11-compatible. A current version of Microsoft Office is also installed on this device, under my personal account with microsoft.com. This license permits me to use the Office components on a number of different devices (up to 5?).

What I want to do is install Windows 11 on this device, under a dual boot configuration, so that I can retain use of Windows 10 until I'm comfortable with new user interface features in Windows 11.

  1. I believe that, since I have a licensed version of Windows 10 Pro, I am entitled to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro, without purchasing any additional licenses or keys.
  2. I have also seen material on the web which suggests that, for a dual boot configuration, I need to have an additional Microsoft Account – for reasons that I don't fully understand, but which appear to be related to product licensing.

Therefore, could you can firstly confirm my numbered point 1 above, and explain what, if anything, I need to do to activate the copy of Windows 11?

And secondly, could you please comment on my numbered point 2. Since my Microsoft.com account permits multiple installations of the Office applications, I don't understand why I should need a different account for the Windows 11 instance, unless this is something to do with coexistence with the Windows 10 instance on the same physical device.

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  1. Limitless Technology 44,776 Reputation points
    2023-03-03T16:28:05.8066667+00:00

    Hello

    Thank you for your question and reaching out. I can understand you are having query\issues related to Dual boot licensing.

    I believe you can use one license for only one machine at a time. In other words, you can't use same license on two different machines (physical or virtual).

    The Pro licence cannot be utilised on a virtual machine after being used by the computer hardware. The installation that you dual boot with would need to be deleted if you were to relocate it to the virtual machine. (Or would cease to function).

    Reference :

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Useterms/Retail/Windows/10/Useterms_Retail_Windows_10_English.htm

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-on-dual-boot-license/11b02d91-8755-466a-9724-4fe2f130b58c

    For Office you can use same account on 5 Devices.

    --If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--

    1 person found this answer helpful.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-03-03T09:27:34.4233333+00:00

    Hi.

    Windows 10/11 dual boot does require separate licenses and accounts for both Windows operating systems to legally dual boot without violating Microsoft's terms of service.

    For more information about how to configure dual system startup, please refer to:

    https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-dual-boot-windows-10-and-windows-11/#:~:text=You%20do%20need%20a%20separate,11%20at%20the%20same%20time.

    Hope the information is helpful.

    ============================================
    If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.


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