Windows 10: Installing Windows 10 pro on a computer with a Windows 7 Product Key sticker

Hi All,

I'm sorry if this has been asked a billion times already - I'm not sure if the situation has changed due to COVID-19.


My Scenario : At my work place, there are a bunch of laptops and computer which have just been replaced - the majority of the old ones had Windows 7 on them using the Windows 7 PRO key that was purchased with the computer \ Laptop.


Due to COVID-19, I need to get a whole bunch of these older computers ready to go again so people can work from home - Problem is, they all or most have Windows 7 OA Stickers on them and we have moved to Windows 10.


I've installed Windows 10 PRO on a few of them, used the Windows 7 product key and it has activated Windows 10 Pro and seems happy the digital licences work as well by digging them out with powershell and activating them that way.


My Question is: Is this OK to do? - If it's not normally, has there been any special considerations made for this sort of thing to help people work from home using the most current and secure operating system? i.e. Windows 10 1909 I think.


Any links to official articles that explain this would be greatly appreciated - or of course, an official response would be fantastic.


New South Wales, Australia

:)

 

Installing Windows 10 using Windows 7 key

Nope, you need to install Windows 10 first and make sure the Windows 7 key is transferred to your Windows account after you've installed Windows 10 (not quite sure how that works). I missed the last step and I could not activate Windows 10 after a re-install... Microsoft seem to have done everything they can to make it a PITA. Also, it's technically too late to do this now anyhow, as the upgrade offer has expired. But KMSPico works quite well...

As for getting rid of Windows, delete the Windows folder.

 

Installing Windows 10 using Windows 7 key

Two quick ways to use your Windows 7 key during the install:

1. When asked for the serial #, put in that Windows 7 serial # and continue on. It should activate as soon as it hits an internet connection.

2. When asked for the serial #, at bottom of window click on the I don't have a serial # text (or whatever it says). It will then ask what version you want to install, ie. Home or Pro. Be sure to install the right version that matches your Windows 7 key. Then once you get into windows you can activate by putting in the key. Some people prefer this method, not sure why honestly. Easier to do #1, since the installer will see your key and know which flavor of Windows 10 you are trying to install.

 

Installing Windows 10 using Windows 7 key

Thank you, but I still want to know if I can do a clean installation of Windows with my new SSD whilst my old Windows is still installed on the other pc?