Windows 10: I used Win 10 for many years. NO PROBLEMS. Forced to use Win 11--ALWAYS PROBLEMS. Why...

I could do anything using Win 10. When I HAD TO CHANGE to Win 11, was like having to learn a foreign language. All the things I used to do are zilch now. I used XP before 10--no problem in adjustment. Win 11 must have been designed for/by experts which I am neither because the average User gets nowhere without difficulty. I've absolutely hated 11 since it started. I work on my PC every day & general correspondence is the ONLY thing that works & I sometimes have problems with that. I'm not exactly PC illiterate, but 11 is a challenge. Why did the process change from 10 to 11?

:)

 

Win 11 Activation Problem with Win 8.1 Key

Let me explain one by one:

Win 8.1 was activated first on my old 2014 model year mobo. Upgraded to Win 10 & 11 respectively. PC worked many years. I built a new system 6 months ago w/ AM5 mobo. All HWs new. I did a clear win 10 installation it's activated auto using Win 8.1 key. I upgraded to win 11 then. It was still shown activated, everything was fine.

1 month ago, I was having trouble w/ my 2022 AM5 mobo. I changed my AM5 mobo w/ a new expensive one. Not to cause driver problem (different brand, chipset and so on) I decided to install a clear Windows. Problem started right there. No matter what I first install, Win 10 & 11. It cannot be activated. As I said earlier, I cannot use Win 8.1 as well because internet doesnt work due to LAN driver compatibility.

Hope it's a bit more clear now.

 

Win 11 Activation Problem with Win 8.1 Key

Hello, I have original win 8.1 key. I have used win 11 without problem by upgrading from 8.1 with my old pc. Now I have built a brand new pc including all hardwares. I installed win 10 & 11 directly. Setup asked product key and I entered 8.1's, installation continued. After setup completed, I have realized either win 10 & 11 are not activated. I have tried to activate by entering the org. 8.1 key it failed. Message was "Unable to activate windows, you dont have a valid digital license or produc key..." I thought that culprit might be directly installed win 10 & 11. Then, I have installed win 8.1 first to try upgrade upon it but unfortunately came across another problem. There is no internet connection. I transfered my mobo LAN driver setup file via usb. It could not be installed because I saw my new mobo LAN driver doesnt support win 8.1, only win 10 & 11. Actually it's LAN driver is pre-installed and doesnt work. I just tried to setup again anyway.

To sum up:

I cannot activate win 10 & 11 with a win 8.1 key if I install them directly.

If I install win 8.1 first I cannot connect to internet to activate win 8.1 (due to mobo LAN driver support) and then upgrade to win 10 & 11 whatever.

How can I fix this problem? I think there must be a solution. I dont know if direct win 11 installation & activation possible with a win 8.1 key though.

Do I have to buy a new win11 due to a LAN driver problem? I dont want to be forced to select this option.

Your help much appreciated.

 

Switching from Win 10 to Win 11

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be getting new MB and CPU when I move to Win11. And I always do system volume image backups after I successfully update Windows so no problem there *Smile. Cheers!