Microsoft made this possible in Threshold 2 update
Windows 10 Threshold 2 has finally made it possible to activate the new operating system with a Windows 7 or 8.1 product key, which kind of makes sense, given the fact that it was offered free of charge on PCs running any of these two versions.
So if you’re already on Windows 10 Threshold 2 and want to activate your computer, the process is a lot easier than before, when Microsoft first asked users to upgrade via Windows Update, wait for automatic validation, and only then perform a clean install.
How to activate
Basically, if you plan to activate with a previous Windows version product key, you most likely want to perform a clean install from the very beginning and thus avoid the pain of manual upgrades and then reinstall.
To do this, all you have to do is skip entering a product key when installing Windows 10 from scratch. If you do this, Windows 10 will be installed as an evaluation copy, and you’ll be allowed to provide a product key when all files are copied and you can log into your desktop.
Once you reach the desktop, go to the following path:
Settings > Update & security > Activation and selecting Change Product Key
And enter the product key that came with your Windows 7 or 8.1 computer. The activation process should then be performed automatically, and if everything’s alright, you should be running a fully legit version of Windows 10 activated with a Windows 7 or 8.1 key.
How to Activate Windows 10 with Windows 7 or 8.1 Product Key - Softpedia
Windows 10 Threshold 2 has finally made it possible to activate the new operating system with a Windows 7 or 8.1 product key, which kind of makes sense, given the fact that it was offered free of charge on PCs running any of these two versions.
So if you’re already on Windows 10 Threshold 2 and want to activate your computer, the process is a lot easier than before, when Microsoft first asked users to upgrade via Windows Update, wait for automatic validation, and only then perform a clean install.
How to activate
Basically, if you plan to activate with a previous Windows version product key, you most likely want to perform a clean install from the very beginning and thus avoid the pain of manual upgrades and then reinstall.
To do this, all you have to do is skip entering a product key when installing Windows 10 from scratch. If you do this, Windows 10 will be installed as an evaluation copy, and you’ll be allowed to provide a product key when all files are copied and you can log into your desktop.
Once you reach the desktop, go to the following path:
Settings > Update & security > Activation and selecting Change Product Key
And enter the product key that came with your Windows 7 or 8.1 computer. The activation process should then be performed automatically, and if everything’s alright, you should be running a fully legit version of Windows 10 activated with a Windows 7 or 8.1 key.
How to Activate Windows 10 with Windows 7 or 8.1 Product Key - Softpedia
