Microsoft Ending Windows Activations Using Windows 7 and 8 Keys

[R-T-B]

Fair point, but how are they getting these keys when Microsoft dont generate them anymore?

So many used machines with oem stickers, would be my guess. Computer recyclers?

 

[trsttte]

So many used machines with oem stickers, would be my guess. Computer recyclers?

Some can be, but I believe most are not. Grey market sites use a combination of bulk purchased oem keys and keys bought with stolen credit cards to launder the money (it's all profit when the money was stolen so why not do heavy discounts so the product moves faster?)

 

[dyonoctis]

Yeah for some reason people sub a text editor... mind blowing

Some people don't actually sub to office per se, subbing to OneDrive also give you access to office. The web version of Office is now free. Why Onedrive instead of dropbox ? because onedrive is the simpliest way to sync the documents folders across PCs and reinstallation that soooo many applications LOVE to use to save their settings, plug-ins and preferences.

 

[Dr. Dro]

I have Microsoft 365 paid in advance until February 2025, but I've still been using my old keys from when I did a Microsoft certification program back in 2011, they granted me access to DreamSpark at the time and I basically got a key for every program and variant that was a part of the program back then. I will not be using Windows Home edition ever again, it just does not suit my personal needs, so I won't hesitate to adopt unorthodox methods if it means I can continue to use Windows Pro or Enterprise. Thankfully, it seems that the digital licensing system tied to the Microsoft account is quite lenient and allows you to transfer licenses from a device to another, so I should be permanently covered. Or at least for a very long time.

If anything, it's time Microsoft did away with the Windows editions and just made Windows fully featured and straight up freeware. The big money is in services, and they know it.

 

[chrcoluk]

So many used machines with oem stickers, would be my guess. Computer recyclers?

I they retail not OEM keys? Also OEM wouldnt reactivate on different hardware.

 

[R-T-B]

I they retail not OEM keys? Also OEM wouldnt reactivate on different hardware.

OEM 7 keys worked in this program. Crazy but true.

Also OEM wouldnt reactivate on different hardware.

Same with a fair few of the cheaper key sites.

 

[Scrizz]

I have Microsoft 365 paid in advance until February 2025, but I've still been using my old keys from when I did a Microsoft certification program back in 2011, they granted me access to DreamSpark at the time and I basically got a key for every program and variant that was a part of the program back then. I will not be using Windows Home edition ever again, it just does not suit my personal needs, so I won't hesitate to adopt unorthodox methods if it means I can continue to use Windows Pro or Enterprise. Thankfully, it seems that the digital licensing system tied to the Microsoft account is quite lenient and allows you to transfer licenses from a device to another, so I should be permanently covered. Or at least for a very long time.

If anything, it's time Microsoft did away with the Windows editions and just made Windows fully featured and straight up freeware. The big money is in services, and they know it.

Dreamspark and Bizspark were the best things ever! I still have a stack of keys

 

[Arkz]

That is probably their main objective.


Yeah, those coughs don't allow rule breakage my man.

Also, am I crazy or did the free key upgrade path only apply to 10 forward, not 8/8.1?

I wasn't discussing it. The rules say not to discuss wares. I'm simply saying the name of one, that's massively well known. Never the less the mods have swooped in to censor me and protect the poor forum members from my totally malicious post.

 

[R-T-B]

I wasn't discussing it. The rules say not to discuss wares. I'm simply saying the name of one

This is honestly splitting hairs to the point of absurdity.

 

[Arkz]

This is honestly splitting hairs to the point of absurdity.

That's always my aim.

 

[trsttte]

I they retail not OEM keys? Also OEM wouldnt reactivate on different hardware.

They often still work, lots of stories online of people having to call a microsoft helpline and they just re-enabling activation for their key to the point it's almost part of the process

This is how little Microsoft has cared about selling windows to consumers, it's a rounding error on their balance sheet, they make their money selling a new key for every new device any OEM makes and with business licenses, a few individual licenses don't really move the needle for them.

Dreamspark and Bizspark were the best things ever! I still have a stack of keys

Heck yeah! I still have a couple I never used, and now likely never will since they're endind the free upgrades but whatever. I might do a couple VM's just to upgrade the keys but I don't know if won't be a waste of time as they might not let me activate them again later regardless because of the VM hw ID

 

[GhostRyder]

So many used machines with oem stickers, would be my guess. Computer recyclers?

I they retail not OEM keys? Also OEM wouldnt reactivate on different hardware.

OEM 7 keys worked in this program. Crazy but true.


Same with a fair few of the cheaper key sites.

They work, I got into the habit of taking every old machine and snapping a picture of the Win 7 OEM key tags on old Dell's, Lenovo's, ETC and adding them to a chart at home. They are normally with few exceptions good for 3 different PC installs (Same goes for the Win 8 keys but finding those is a lot harder). I kept a list of Home and Pro keys separate and just used them when needed. Sadly that means I will be losing them soon and may actually have to purchase a copy in the future.

 

[Wirko]

I they retail not OEM keys? Also OEM wouldnt reactivate on different hardware.

And I assumed those were keys that remained unused from volume licensing.

 

[Luke357]

If I have a machine with Win10 that uses a Win7 key can I still "upgrade" from 10 to 11?

 

[trsttte]

If I have a machine with Win10 that uses a Win7 key can I still "upgrade" from 10 to 11?

I believe so, they're still allowing (and incentivizing) upgrades from 10 to 11 and once you upgrade your key it's now a windows 10 key

 

[Lore]

Installed W10pro today with a key from an old W7pro machine. Felt good getting it done while it still works.

 

[Wirko]

The latest GoDeal24 offer on TPU still has the same discounted prices as ever, they don't even seem to be adjusted for inflation.