Upgraded from embedded Windows 7 to Windows 10 and license key doesn't work

Question

Due to a hard drive allocation issue, I had to reformat the hard drive that came with the PC from Homeseer. It was pre-loaded (embedded) with Windows 7. After reformatting I upgraded to Windows 10 but the license key for Windows 7 isn't accepted by Windows 10

Answer 1

The free upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 was 2015 to 2016. Since then users have found they were able to continue using the free upgrade.

In 2023 Microsoft closed the loophole (their words) allowing Windows 10 to be activated using a Windows 7/8 licence.

You will need to buy a new licence for Windows 10. Microsoft make a digital licence available via the windows Store for Windows 10/11.

Answer 2

It is no longer possible to use Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 product keys to activate Windows 10. Microsoft officially ended this activation method on September 20, 2023.

Answer 3

If you upgraded from an embedded Windows 7 to Windows 10 and the license key for Windows 7 is not being accepted, it may be due to the fact that the upgrade process requires a valid digital license or product key that matches the version of Windows being installed. When you reformat the hard drive, the embedded license may not be recognized, especially if the upgrade was not done in a way that retains the original activation status.

To resolve this issue, you can try the following steps:

1. Ensure that you are using the correct version of Windows 10 that corresponds to your Windows 7 license (e.g., if you had Windows 7 Home, you should upgrade to Windows 10 Home).
2. If you have a digital license linked to your Microsoft account, try signing in with that account during the installation process.
3. If the key is still not accepted, you may need to contact Microsoft support for assistance in reactivating your Windows 10 installation using your Windows 7 license.

Keep in mind that if your Windows 7 was an OEM version, it might have restrictions on transferring the license to a new installation or hardware.