Trying to activate Windows 10 with valid Windows 7 Pro OEM key

[Alex4nder001]

I’m trying to install Windows 10 (64 bit) on my Dell Optiplex 7010 PC. It came with an OEM copy of Windows 7 Pro already installed and activated with a valid OEM key on a sticker on the top of the machine. A few months ago I created a Windows 10 bootable USB drive (using ISO from MS website) and upgraded within Windows 7. But for some reason it’s not activated, even though it’s connected to the internet. I tried entering the Windows 7 key again and it still didn’t work, and I tried using KMSPico to activate it but now it’s telling me that the licence will expire soon, and that it was previously “activated with your company’s activation server” or something like that.

I don’t know what to do any more. I know MS said the upgrade option had ended a long time ago, but I heard you could still activate Windows 10 with a valid Windows 7/8/8.1 key. Any help?

 

[sp3off]

Try to get back your OEM key by using some program and activate Windows using it.

Or else, buy a key for 5 dollars up eBay, 'cause you can't do much.

 

[Lumince]

I’m trying to install Windows 10 (64 bit) on my Dell Optiplex 7010 PC. It came with an OEM copy of Windows 7 Pro already installed and activated with a valid OEM key on a sticker on the top of the machine. A few months ago I created a Windows 10 bootable USB drive (using ISO from MS website) and upgraded within Windows 7. But for some reason it’s not activated, even though it’s connected to the internet. I tried entering the Windows 7 key again and it still didn’t work, and I tried using KMSPico to activate it but now it’s telling me that the licence will expire soon, and that it was previously “activated with your company’s activation server” or something like that.

I don’t know what to do any more. I know MS said the upgrade option had ended a long time ago, but I heard you could still activate Windows 10 with a valid Windows 7/8/8.1 key. Any help?

You got discord? I can get that permanently activated for ya!

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

I tried using KMSPico to activate it but now it’s telling me that the licence will expire soon, and that it was previously “activated with your company’s activation server” or something like that.

That's how KMSPico works, it simply resets your activation grace period every 180 days either automatically (using a service you can choose to install) or manually by just re-running the program, it doesn't give you a "permanent" activation.

But it's also now an outdated method of "activating " Windows, these days you should use hwidgen since it gives you permanent activation based on your hardware (which is basically exactly how the Windows 7/8/8.1 upgrade activation works, so it's unlikely to be fixed any time soon).

But the OEM key should've activated your PC just fine during the upgrade process, that method of activating Windows 10 still works today so not sure why it wouldn't unless that OEM key was already used for a Windows 10 install (which is possible, if you bought that PC used it's definitely possible someone took the OEM Windows 7 key and used that to upgrade to Windows 10 already)

 

[Lacius]

Don't use KMS activation. It is very easy to permanently activate Windows 10 using an app called hwid.kms38.gen.mk6.

 

[Alex4nder001]

Try to get back your OEM key by using some program and activate Windows using it.

Why would I need to do that when I already have it on the sticker on my PC?

But the OEM key should've activated your PC just fine during the upgrade process, that method of activating Windows 10 still works today so not sure why it wouldn't unless that OEM key was already used for a Windows 10 install (which is possible, if you bought that PC used it's definitely possible someone took the OEM Windows 7 key and used that to upgrade to Windows 10 already)

I'm not sure why it would work for Windows 7 but not Windows 10. I'm really not sure how Windows licence keys work but I'm pretty sure if the key was used on a PC for Windows 7, it could probably only be used for the same PC?

Don't use KMS activation. It is very easy to permanently activate Windows 10 using an app called hwid.kms38.gen.mk6.

By CHEF-KOCH on Github?

 

[Lacius]

Why would I need to do that when I already have it on the sticker on my PC?

View attachment 184920

I'm not sure why it would work for Windows 7 but not Windows 10. I'm really not sure how Windows licence keys work but I'm pretty sure if the key was used on a PC for Windows 7, it could probably only be used for the same PC?

By CHEF-KOCH on Github?

That might work, but I have no experience with that one.

 

[Lumince]

Why would I need to do that when I already have it on the sticker on my PC?

View attachment 184920

I'm not sure why it would work for Windows 7 but not Windows 10. I'm really not sure how Windows licence keys work but I'm pretty sure if the key was used on a PC for Windows 7, it could probably only be used for the same PC?

By CHEF-KOCH on Github?

Do you want a link to hwid.kms38.gen.mk6?
Just have to change the drop down to HWID and hit patch basically

 

[linuxares]

There is a special script that ACTUALLY works with the latest Windows 10 versions. Said software linked haven't been updated to fix said keys. This batch script downloads all you need. I however cannot link it, but 31668 is kind of nsane. The guy is a really WindowsAddict.

 

[Lumince]

There is a special script that ACTUALLY works with the latest Windows 10 versions. Said software linked haven't been updated to fix said keys. This batch script downloads all you need. I however cannot link it, but 31668 is kind of nsane. The guy is a really WindowsAddict.

hwid.kms38.gen.mk6 is a perma activation

 

[linuxares]

hwid.kms38.gen.mk6 is a perma activation

Yes, but it do not work with 1909 clean install. What I just said using the same methods. KMS or Digital License.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Yes, but it do not work with 1909 clean install. What I just said using the same methods. KMS or Digital License.

1909 hasn't been launched to consumers yet, so this shouldn't matter at this point.

 

[linuxares]

1909 hasn't been launched to consumers yet, so this shouldn't matter at this point.

Depends on how they got the iso. They're out in the wild already (technet), OEM ready and all.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Depends on how they got the iso. They're out in the wild already (technet), OEM ready and all.

As noted from the OP, they said they got the ISO from MS's website, which I assume they mean they used the usual download page, which wouldn't have 1909.

 

[linuxares]

As noted from the OP, they said they got the ISO from MS's website, which I assume they mean they used the usual download page, which wouldn't have 1909.

True then it's 1903 that I don't know if said software name they linked works. But why not run said software I said to make sure it definitely works? Because I think the software is abandoned.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

True then it's 1903 that I don't know if said software name they linked works. But why not run said software I said to make sure it definitely works? Because I think the software is abandoned.

It does work on 1903, I can confirm since I've used it to activate multiple fresh Windows 10 installs the last few weeks

 

[Lacius]

slave77's tool (hwid.kms38.gen.mk6) has been abandoned. However, it works just fine on 1903. I have not tried it on 1909, but I would be surprised if it didn't work on 1909.

 

[Alexander1970]

After yesterdays "Experience" I support such Tools too.

Spoiler: Works for 1909.

Windows 10 Digital License C# 3.6 - works perfect.

Thank you.

 

[IncredulousP]

I'm not sure why it would work for Windows 7 but not Windows 10. I'm really not sure how Windows licence keys work but I'm pretty sure if the key was used on a PC for Windows 7, it could probably only be used for the same PC?

Ok, I could be wrong, but I think the reason is that you need to install Windows 7 again, activate it, then upgrade to 10, then activate it again. It might not like that you're just installing 10 and trying to activate it with a key for an older version of windows, but by upgrading 7 to 10 your base Windows might still be treated like 7 as far as licensing goes.

 

[Deleted User]

I’m trying to install Windows 10 (64 bit) on my Dell Optiplex 7010 PC. It came with an OEM copy of Windows 7 Pro already installed and activated with a valid OEM key on a sticker on the top of the machine. A few months ago I created a Windows 10 bootable USB drive (using ISO from MS website) and upgraded within Windows 7. But for some reason it’s not activated, even though it’s connected to the internet. I tried entering the Windows 7 key again and it still didn’t work, and I tried using KMSPico to activate it but now it’s telling me that the licence will expire soon, and that it was previously “activated with your company’s activation server” or something like that.

I don’t know what to do any more. I know MS said the upgrade option had ended a long time ago, but I heard you could still activate Windows 10 with a valid Windows 7/8/8.1 key. Any help?

the free license for windows 10 is only available if you upgrade directly from windows 7, not with a bootable usb. you can try reinstalling windows 7, (must activate or it wont work), and upgrade directly.
The windows 7 key you have should work as long as you are trying to activate windows 10 pro. it wont work if you are trying to activate windows 10 home