How is my sister's laptop got a free Windows 10 Pro activation?

[pajpaj]

The laptop is old, I installed a Windows 10 Pro on it. Then I just checked it and it is activated. How is this happened? Is there something to do with her email account that she got an activation for free? Because I asked her and she said she does not do anything related to activating the OS.

[iamdarkyoshi]

Windows 10 can still be activated for free using windows 7 or windows 8/8.1 keys, and 8/8.1 keys are stored in the bios and are automatically entered.

[pajpaj]

4 minutes ago, iamdarkyoshi said:

Windows 10 can still be activated for free using windows 7 or windows 8/8.1 keys, and 8/8.1 keys are stored in the bios and are automatically entered.

So it activated because of the previous OS key? Before Windows 10 Pro, the OSes are Ubuntu, pirated Windows 7 Ultimate and a Genuine Windows Vista. This means that the pirated Windows 7 makes the Windows 10 got activated? If so, then is it possible for my laptop with a Windows 7 Pro be upgraded and activated to Windows 10 for free?

[iamdarkyoshi]

1 minute ago, pajpaj said:

-snip-

I wouldn't announce that you've used a pirated copy of windows

But yeah, in some instances, that will activate it. Its an odd quirk with microsoft's activation system, but microsoft is pushing users to windows 10 anyway so they usually don't care.

 

And yes, your windows 7 pro laptop will also activate on windows 10, be sure to install windows 10 pro.

 

I'd suggest a fresh clean install.

[pajpaj]

Just now, iamdarkyoshi said:

I wouldn't announce that you've used a pirated copy of windows

Thanks? Haha.

Quote

But yeah, in some instances, that will activate it. Its an odd quirk with microsoft's activation system, but microsoft is pushing users to windows 10 anyway so they usually don't care.

 

And yes, your windows 7 pro laptop will also activate on windows 10, be sure to install windows 10 pro.

 

I'd suggest a fresh clean install.

Ah I see, thank you very much.

[NumLock21]

Laptop has a legit key on the bottom or a embedded key in the bios. So when you install 10 it activates.

 

[pajpaj]

8 minutes ago, NumLock21 said:

Laptop has a legit key on the bottom or a embedded key in the bios. So when you install 10 it activates.

 

Thank you.

[aisle9]

40 minutes ago, pajpaj said:

So it activated because of the previous OS key? Before Windows 10 Pro, the OSes are Ubuntu, pirated Windows 7 Ultimate and a Genuine Windows Vista. This means that the pirated Windows 7 makes the Windows 10 got activated? If so, then is it possible for my laptop with a Windows 7 Pro be upgraded and activated to Windows 10 for free?