Windows 10: Did the free upgrade to windows 11 from 10 and now its asking for a product key even though...

Discus and support Did the free upgrade to windows 11 from 10 and now its asking for a product key even though... in Windows 10 Software and Apps to solve the problem; I did the free upgrade from 10 to 11 and now its asking for a product key i do not have. I had a legit copy of windows but did not buy it personally so... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Software and Apps' started by Bee Parente, May 26, 2025 at 5:42 PM.

  1. BEE PARENTE
    Bee Parente Win User

    Did the free upgrade to windows 11 from 10 and now its asking for a product key even though...


    I did the free upgrade from 10 to 11 and now its asking for a product key i do not have. I had a legit copy of windows but did not buy it personally so do not have the previous windows 10 key. I tried digging through command promts to maybe find the key but came up with nothing even though i shouldnt even have to look when it was a free update. I just need help i cant afford $100 some dollars for a whole new copy of windows that was already payed for just for a key that got lost.

    :)
     
    Bee Parente, May 26, 2025 at 5:42 PM
    #1
  2. NAVYLCDR
    NavyLCDR Win User

    Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant asking for product key


    So make sure that you are attempting to upgrade to the Home Single Language Edition. The "about" system settings screen will tell you if it is 32-bits or 64-bits (operating system):


    Did the free upgrade to windows 11 from 10 and now its asking for a product key even though... 96087d1485970610t-windows-10-upgrade-assistant-asking-product-key-capture.jpg


    Using the media creation tool, you want the matching 32-bit or 64-bit Single Language Edition:


    Did the free upgrade to windows 11 from 10 and now its asking for a product key even though... 96088d1485970610t-windows-10-upgrade-assistant-asking-product-key-capture1.jpg


    From the Windows 10 ISO download site, it's just listed as Single Language Edition:


    Did the free upgrade to windows 11 from 10 and now its asking for a product key even though... 96090d1485970610t-windows-10-upgrade-assistant-asking-product-key-capture2.jpg


    Doing an upgrade to the correct edition Anniversary Update should not ask for a product key.
     
    NavyLCDR, May 26, 2025 at 5:45 PM
    #2
  3. NAVYLCDR
    NavyLCDR Win User
    win 10 upgrade asking for product key


    An upgrade to Windows 10 running properly will not ask for a product key. Are you sure the version on the USB is the exact same version as the previous operating system on the computer you are trying to upgrade? Pro or home; N, standard, or Single Language Version? If you continue with an upgrade that is asking for a product key, it will not activate.

    A clean install will ask for a product key, and that can be skipped. Unless you have purchased a license for Windows 10 that has it's own unique product key, you should never enter a product key when upgrading or clean installing Windows 10.
     
    NavyLCDR, May 26, 2025 at 5:45 PM
    #3
  4. ADDRAM
    AddRAM Win User

    Did the free upgrade to windows 11 from 10 and now its asking for a product key even though...

    win 10 upgrade asking for product key


    Just try it through Windows update, you shouldn`t have any issues.

    Excellent question Navy, that`s probabaly why. If not then, as suggested, just use the Media Creation Tool and choose upgrade this PC in Step 3.

    Windows 10 - Upgrade Installation - Windows 10 Forums
     
    AddRAM, May 26, 2025 at 5:45 PM
    #4
Thema:

Did the free upgrade to windows 11 from 10 and now its asking for a product key even though...

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