Windows 10: Windows 11 Install and Activate from a retail Windows 10 Product Key?

Hi Everyone,I'm thinking of repurposing my old Windows 10 & 7 PC for my sister, whose laptop is slowly dying, as a Christmas present.This will involve some hardware replacement, Motherboard, CPU and RAM but my question concerns the installation of Windows 11.This PC was running Windows 10 Home alongside Windows 7 on a retail license key.What I want to know is, once the necessary hardware has been replaced, could I use my retail Windows 10 License Key to install Windows 11 as a "Clean" install, or would I have to Install Windows 10 first, then run the upgrade wizard?Or indeed, is any of t

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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.

 

Windows 10 product keys and activation - and the KMS angle

Changing the product key to the generic Windows 10 product key will reset activation to the standard retail channel for activation. It might just activate (if there was a previous digital license for Windows 10 for that computer established with Microsoft). Once Windows 10 is back on the retail activation channel, then more than likely changing the product key to the Windows 8 product key using the same method may work.

 

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.