When Microsoft released the initial version of Windows 10 in 2015 it allowed users to upgrade from Windows 7 and 8 devices to the operating system for free.
Windows 7 and 8 product keys carried over during setup. Upgrades to Windows 10 accepted the key as well.
Microsoft did end the free upgrade option officially in 2016 but the company never made the change on the backend; this meant, that customers could still use their Windows 7 or 8 product keys to install Windows 10 or upgrade to the system without running into licensing issues.
The release of Windows 11 in 2021 did not change that. Customers could use their Windows 7 or 8 product keys to install Windows 11 and activate the operating system. Similarly, those with compatible systems, could also upgrade to Windows 11 from these older versions of Windows.
Microsoft ended support for Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 in January 2023. The end of servicing did not affect the ability to use the product keys of these older versions of Windows to install Windows 10 or 11, or to upgrade to these systems.
The free upgrade ride ends
The situation changed this week. German site Deskmodder was the first to report about the change. Microsoft published new information on its Device Partner Center website that confirms that the company has stopped the free upgrade path.
Microsoft writes:
Microsoft’s free upgrade offer for Windows 10 / 11 ended July 29, 2016. The installation path to obtain the Windows 7 / 8 free upgrade is now removed as well. Upgrades to Windows 11 from Windows 10 are still free.
In other words: Windows 7 and 8 systems upgrades to Windows 10 or 11 are still permitted and not blocked. Product keys of these older systems may not be accepted, however.
Windows users need to purchase a new product key for Windows 10 or 11 to activate the operating systems in this case.
Neowin ran a quick test and discovered that the product keys could be used to activate Windows 11 version 22H2 or earlier, but not newer versions of Windows 11 anymore. The situation is likely similar on Windows 10.
Affected users might try and upgrade their devices to these earlier versions of Windows 10 or 11, as it still seems to work at the time of writing. Microsoft could end this option at any time in the future though.
Microsoft notes that upgrades from Windows 10 to 11 continue to remain free. It is likely that the company will change this after Windows 10 reaches end of servicing in October 2025.
Buying a Windows 10 or 11 license
Microsoft charges $139 for Windows 11 Home and $199 for Windows 11 Professional on its Store. Windows 10 is no longer sold there.
Retail stores may offer licenses for cheaper, but usually not by much. Another option is to buy product keys from key resellers. Keys cost around $20 when bought from these.
You can check out eBay and other marketplaces. Key reselling may not be allowed in all regions and markets though.
Checking the activation status
Multiple options exist to check the activation status of a Windows device. One of the easiest options is the following one:
- Use the keyboard shortcut Windows+R to open the Run box.
- Type slmgr.vbs –xpr.
- Activate the Enter-key on the keyboard.
Windows returns the activation status in a small popup window. You may also run this command from Terminal or Command Prompt windows.