Posted 9/29/2023, 3:10:13 PM

Microsoft to End Activation of New Windows Installs with Old Windows 7 and 8 Product Keys

Microsoft will stop allowing old Windows 7 and 8 product keys to activate new Windows installs. This change will affect future Windows versions.
Windows 7 and 8 keys currently still work to activate Windows 10 and 11, but this may be ending soon.
This change ends a loophole that let people use old Windows 7 or 8 keys to activate new Windows 10 or 11 installs.
The free upgrade offer from Windows 7/8 to 10 ended in 2016, but people found keys still activated fresh Windows 10/11 installs.
Old Windows 7/8 keys will likely stop activating new Windows versions soon, but should still activate older installs on the same PC.

arstechnica.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/28/2023

Microsoft Ends Activation of Windows 11 with Old Windows 7/8 Product Keys

Microsoft is ending the free upgrade path from Windows 7 and 8 to Windows 11, removing the option to use product keys for activation.

10/11/2023

Microsoft Ends Free Windows 7 to 11 Upgrade Loophole After 7 Years

Microsoft has closed the loophole that allowed users to upgrade to Windows 11 for free using Windows 7 and 8 keys, signaling the end of the 7 to 11 installation path.