Can I use W7 key for W10?

[koolerone]

I want to upgrade to windows 10 since i have a lot of games on xbox and my friends play fortnite on xbox so I want to use the xbox app to talk, but would I be able to still use my windows 7 ultimate key to activate windows 10 pro? I've seen things saying you can still do it but I want to see if anyone else has done it recently. Also, (stupid question, haven't installed an OS in a while) if i plugged in a windows 10 installer usb and started installing it would it upgrade my OS or would it be a fresh install, I don't really feel like moving everything to my mass storage drive and then copying it all back/re installing everything      

[GrockleTD]

you should be able to use it, if not, there is always more ah, questionable methods of using windows 10

[xc3ll]

A few month ago, the Windows 7 key worked fine for me. So I would give it a try

If you boot into Windows 7, plug in your Windows 10 USB and start the setup.exe it will perform an upgrade and migrate your Apps and Data (if you select this option). If you boot from the usb into the installer, it will make a fresh install. Data on the C Partition will be moved to a windows.old directory.

 

Most of the time, this works fine. However, I would always recommend a full system image backup. I use Acronis true image for that, which is a paid software. However, it has a 30 day free trial...

[Droidbot]

21 minutes ago, xc3ll said:

A few month ago, the Windows 7 key worked fine for me. So I would give it a try

If you boot into Windows 7, plug in your Windows 10 USB and start the setup.exe it will perform an upgrade and migrate your Apps and Data (if you select this option). If you boot from the usb into the installer, it will make a fresh install. Data on the C Partition will be moved to a windows.old directory.

 

Most of the time, this works fine. However, I would always recommend a full system image backup. I use Acronis true image for that, which is a paid software. However, it has a 30 day free trial...

Incorrect. Both ways can be used for upgrade, but only bootable can be used for fresh install. 

 

OP, I went from Win7Ult to Win10 Pro fine. Godspeed. 

[Enderman]

I've heard several people use it and have it work even though the "free upgrade" period ended years ago.

If it doesn't work I'm sure you can contact microsoft support and they will activate it for you.

[koolerone]

9 hours ago, Grockle88 said:

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9 hours ago, xc3ll said:

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8 hours ago, Enderman said:

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9 hours ago, Droidbot said:

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 thanks guys, I really haven't been wanting to upgrade to windows 10 because imo windows 7 is way better, but I guess it's time to move on to windows 10, atleast I can play all my forza's and SoT on pc now