Does a windows 8.1 oem key still work for a windows 10 installation

P4-630 · Jan 15, 2019

As the title says.

The windows 8.1 system has never been upgraded to windows 10 before.

I plan to install windows 10 from usb stick with the tool from:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Thanks.

RCoon · Jan 15, 2019

No, it won't work. That period has ended. If you want Windows 10 you need to buy a Window 10 key.

P4-630 · Jan 15, 2019

RCoon said:
No, it won't work. That period has ended. If you want Windows 10 you need to buy a Window 10 key.

What about this: https://www.howtogeek.com/272201/all-the-ways-you-can-still-get-windows-10-for-free/
(March 29, 2018)

I just can't find this for 2019...

RCoon · Jan 15, 2019

You can install Windows 10 without a key entirely, and quite easily, but it won't be licensed and will harass you forever. No matter which way you look at it, your non-Windows 10 key will not activate Windows 10.

P4-630 · Jan 15, 2019

Well...

My samsung 970 evo 500GB arrived today and installed it.
Installed Windows 10 on it via usb stick and used my windows 8.1 oem key.....
Aaaand it says it's activated! So it still works.

DR4G00N · Jan 15, 2019

P4-630 said:
Well...

My samsung 970 evo 500GB arrived today and installed it.
Installed Windows 10 on it via usb stick and used my windows 8.1 oem key.....
Aaaand it says it's activated! So it still works.

Yes, Win 7 & 8.1 keys can be used to activate Win 10. I did the same with mine, except I used a retail 8.1 key. I'm not sure how it'll handle an OEM key after a bit of time.

AsRock · Jan 15, 2019

I did it for a win 7 machine about 6-8 month ago without any problems.

P4-630 · Jan 16, 2019

DR4G00N said:
I'm not sure how it'll handle an OEM key after a bit of time.

If it works it works right?
My Windows 8.1 was a genuine version so I don't see any reason that it suddenly might not work anymore overtime.

IceScreamer · Jan 16, 2019

Yup, I installed W10 for a friend and used his W8.1 key for activation, about two weeks ago.

Athlonite · Jan 16, 2019

P4-630 said:
If it works it works right?
My Windows 8.1 was a genuine version so I don't see any reason that it suddenly might not work anymore overtime.

It also works just fine for non genuine copies aswell I went from pirated Windows 8.1 to genuine Windows 10 and haven't had a activation problem yet and that was with build 1511 I'm now on 1809 and still perfectly fine :peace:

Space Lynx · Jan 16, 2019

Microsoft never gives me issues on keys anymore, even if re-using multiple times normally they made me call in to activate, now they don't even care. Guess they love all the data mining they get from us now

qubit · Jan 16, 2019

Try and do an upgrade install. It still worked for me a while back with a W7 install, but long after the period had supposedly expired, so it might still be doable. Don't try it without first creating an image of your current Windows installation in case it all goes pear shaped though.

I'm intrigued to know how it turns out.

insane 360 · Jan 16, 2019

its worked for me just recently on several older laptops with both 7 and 8 oem keys and come to think of it a few dell desktops with 7 keys. as far as i can tell they still want pure numbers and get as many on windows 10 as they can

qubit · Jan 16, 2019

insane 360 said:
its worked for me just recently on several older laptops with both 7 and 8 oem keys and come to think of it a few dell desktops with 7 keys. as far as i can tell they still want pure numbers and get as many on windows 10 as they can

Why am I not surprised?

bug · Jan 16, 2019

P4-630 said:
If it works it works right?
My Windows 8.1 was a genuine version so I don't see any reason that it suddenly might not work anymore overtime.

OEM keys are tied to the hardware they first run on. It usually takes a motherboard replacement to deactivate them.

P4-630 · Jan 16, 2019

qubit said:
Try and do an upgrade install. It still worked for me a while back with a W7 install, but long after the period had supposedly expired, so it might still be doable. Don't try it without first creating an image of your current Windows installation in case it all goes pear shaped though.

I'm intrigued to know how it turns out.

I bought a samsung 970 evo for this windows 10 installation and windows 10 is succesfully activated now with my windows 8.1 OEM key.
See https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/...-windows-10-installation.251530/#post-3976579

Currently I have my windows 8.1 installation still on my other SSD which I have disconnected,
if there are no problems in a month or so I will format my windows 8.1 installation on that SSD so I can use it for other stuff.

bug said:
OEM keys are tied to the hardware they first run on. It usually takes a motherboard replacement to deactivate them.

I know but for now still using the Z170 motherboard, I have no plans to upgrade CPU/motherboard at the moment.
The next hardware upgrade would be a new GPU I think.

Gasaraki · Jan 16, 2019

My Windows 7 key worked 5 months ago so...

Splinterdog · Jan 16, 2019

I recently had to reinstall Win 10 and used my Windows 8 retail key and it activated.
Was well chuffed.

arbiter · Jan 16, 2019

If it works now or not depends on if the key was used to activate windows 10 before during the time it was free to do so.

lexluthermiester · Jan 16, 2019

P4-630 said:
Aaaand it says it's activated! So it still works.

That's not supposed to work anymore. Maybe more of Microsoft's lame duck nonsense of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing?

jeremyshaw · Jan 16, 2019

lexluthermiester said:
That's not supposed to work anymore. Maybe more of Microsoft's lame duck nonsense of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing?

I think they just claim it's not supposed to work, since Win10 being "given away for free" doesn't look good. At the same time, MSFT still wants that sweet, sweet data mine.

lexluthermiester · Jan 16, 2019

jeremyshaw said:
At the same time, MSFT still wants that sweet, sweet data mine.

Which anyone who knows what their doing can shut off.

Vario · Jan 16, 2019

jeremyshaw said:
I think they just claim it's not supposed to work, since Win10 being "given away for free" doesn't look good. At the same time, MSFT still wants that sweet, sweet data mine.

My win 7 64 pro system builder bought from Newegg and win 7 64 home OEM (from a cyberpower) keys didn't work with Win 10 activation, and they are legit and activate fine with 7. Thats fine with me, because I just ended up sticking with Win 7 and will go to 8.1 when 7 period ends in a year, or I will buy a 10 key at that time. But while a lot of people say they still activate, mine didn't. Funny enough, I have used four different motherboards with that same Win 7 64 system builder key and no issues activating in 7.

Easo · Jan 16, 2019

It did work the whole 2018. MS wants you to use W10, so why not get few more people on this way? Announce, but still accept the old activation keys and convert them.

Vario · Jan 16, 2019

Easo said:
It did work the whole 2018. MS wants you to use W10, so why not get few more people on this way? Announce, but still accept the old activation keys and convert them.

Not for me. Tried it Jan and Feb 2018. not a big deal for me, I got 7 working and updating on CoffeeLake anyway with a few workarounds.

System Name	AlderLake / Laptop
Processor	Intel i7 12700K P-Cores @ 5Ghz / Intel i3 7100U
Motherboard	Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master / HP 83A3 (U3E1)
Cooling	Noctua NH-U12A 2 fans + Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Extreme + 5 case fans / Fan
Memory	32GB DDR5 Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 6000MHz CL36 / 8GB DDR4 HyperX CL13
Video Card(s)	MSI RTX 2070 Super Gaming X Trio / Intel HD620
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Keyboard	RAPOO E9270P Black 5GHz wireless / HP backlit
Software	Windows 11 / Windows 10
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System Name	HP Omen 17
Processor	i7 7700HQ
Memory	16GB 2400Mhz DDR4
Video Card(s)	GTX 1060
Storage	Samsung SM961 256GB + HGST 1TB
Display(s)	1080p IPS G-SYNC 75Hz
Audio Device(s)	Bang & Olufsen
Power Supply	230W
Mouse	Roccat Kone XTD+
Software	Win 10 Pro

System Name	AlderLake / Laptop
Processor	Intel i7 12700K P-Cores @ 5Ghz / Intel i3 7100U
Motherboard	Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master / HP 83A3 (U3E1)
Cooling	Noctua NH-U12A 2 fans + Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Extreme + 5 case fans / Fan
Memory	32GB DDR5 Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 6000MHz CL36 / 8GB DDR4 HyperX CL13
Video Card(s)	MSI RTX 2070 Super Gaming X Trio / Intel HD620
Storage	Samsung 980 Pro 1TB + 970 Evo 500GB + 850 Pro 512GB + 860 Evo 1TB x2 / Samsung 256GB M.2 SSD
Display(s)	23.8" Dell S2417DG 165Hz G-Sync 1440p / 14" 1080p IPS Glossy
Case	Be quiet! Silent Base 600 - Window / HP Pavilion
Audio Device(s)	Panasonic SA-PMX94 / Realtek onboard + B&O speaker system / Harman Kardon Go + Play / Logitech G533
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus Plus Gold 750W / Powerbrick
Mouse	Logitech MX Anywhere 2 Laser wireless / Logitech M330 wireless
Keyboard	RAPOO E9270P Black 5GHz wireless / HP backlit
Software	Windows 11 / Windows 10
Benchmark Scores	Cinebench R23 (Single Core) 1936 @ stock Cinebench R23 (Multi Core) 23006 @ stock

System Name	HP Omen 17
Processor	i7 7700HQ
Memory	16GB 2400Mhz DDR4
Video Card(s)	GTX 1060
Storage	Samsung SM961 256GB + HGST 1TB
Display(s)	1080p IPS G-SYNC 75Hz
Audio Device(s)	Bang & Olufsen
Power Supply	230W
Mouse	Roccat Kone XTD+
Software	Win 10 Pro

System Name	AlderLake / Laptop
Processor	Intel i7 12700K P-Cores @ 5Ghz / Intel i3 7100U
Motherboard	Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master / HP 83A3 (U3E1)
Cooling	Noctua NH-U12A 2 fans + Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Extreme + 5 case fans / Fan
Memory	32GB DDR5 Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 6000MHz CL36 / 8GB DDR4 HyperX CL13
Video Card(s)	MSI RTX 2070 Super Gaming X Trio / Intel HD620
Storage	Samsung 980 Pro 1TB + 970 Evo 500GB + 850 Pro 512GB + 860 Evo 1TB x2 / Samsung 256GB M.2 SSD
Display(s)	23.8" Dell S2417DG 165Hz G-Sync 1440p / 14" 1080p IPS Glossy
Case	Be quiet! Silent Base 600 - Window / HP Pavilion
Audio Device(s)	Panasonic SA-PMX94 / Realtek onboard + B&O speaker system / Harman Kardon Go + Play / Logitech G533
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus Plus Gold 750W / Powerbrick
Mouse	Logitech MX Anywhere 2 Laser wireless / Logitech M330 wireless
Keyboard	RAPOO E9270P Black 5GHz wireless / HP backlit
Software	Windows 11 / Windows 10
Benchmark Scores	Cinebench R23 (Single Core) 1936 @ stock Cinebench R23 (Multi Core) 23006 @ stock

Does a windows 8.1 oem key still work for a windows 10 installation

P4-630

RCoon

P4-630

RCoon

P4-630

DR4G00N

AsRock

TPU addict

P4-630

IceScreamer

Athlonite

Space Lynx

Astronaut

qubit

Overclocked quantum bit

insane 360

qubit

Overclocked quantum bit

bug

P4-630

Gasaraki

Splinterdog

arbiter

lexluthermiester

jeremyshaw

lexluthermiester

Vario

Easo

Vario

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Memory	Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32GB (4x8GB) 3200Mhz CMW16GX4M2C3200C16
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Video Card(s)	Asus Dual Geforce RTX 4070 Super ( 2800mhz @ 1.0volt, ~60mhz overlock -.1volts. 180-190watt draw)
Storage	1x Samsung 980 Pro PCIe4 NVme, 2x Samsung 1tb 850evo SSD, 3x WD drives, 2 seagate
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Power Supply	Corsair RMx Series RM850x (OCZ Z series PSU retired after 13 years of service)
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System Name	Computer of Theseus
Processor	Intel i9-12900KS: 50x Pcore multi @ 1.18Vcore (target 1.275V -100mv offset)
Motherboard	EVGA Z690 Classified
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15S, 2xThermalRight TY-143, 4xNoctua NF-A12x25,3xNF-A12x15, 2xAquacomputer Splitty9Active
Memory	G-Skill Trident Z5 (32GB) DDR5-6000 C36 F5-6000J3636F16GX2-TZ5RK
Video Card(s)	EVGA Geforce 3060 XC Black Gaming 12GB
Storage	1x Samsung 970 Pro 512GB NVMe (OS), 2x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB (data 1 and 2), ASUS BW-16D1HT
Display(s)	Dell S3220DGF 32" 2560x1440 165Hz Primary, Dell P2017H 19.5" 1600x900 Secondary, Ergotron LX arms.
Case	Lian Li O11 Air Mini
Audio Device(s)	Audiotechnica ATR2100X-USB, El Gato Wave XLR Mic Preamp, ATH M50X Headphones, Behringer 302USB Mixer
Power Supply	Super Flower Leadex Platinum SE 1000W 80+ Platinum White
Mouse	Zowie EC3-C
Keyboard	Vortex Multix 87 Winter TKL (Gateron G Pro Yellow)
Software	Win 10 LTSC 21H2

System Name	Computer of Theseus
Processor	Intel i9-12900KS: 50x Pcore multi @ 1.18Vcore (target 1.275V -100mv offset)
Motherboard	EVGA Z690 Classified
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15S, 2xThermalRight TY-143, 4xNoctua NF-A12x25,3xNF-A12x15, 2xAquacomputer Splitty9Active
Memory	G-Skill Trident Z5 (32GB) DDR5-6000 C36 F5-6000J3636F16GX2-TZ5RK
Video Card(s)	EVGA Geforce 3060 XC Black Gaming 12GB
Storage	1x Samsung 970 Pro 512GB NVMe (OS), 2x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB (data 1 and 2), ASUS BW-16D1HT
Display(s)	Dell S3220DGF 32" 2560x1440 165Hz Primary, Dell P2017H 19.5" 1600x900 Secondary, Ergotron LX arms.
Case	Lian Li O11 Air Mini
Audio Device(s)	Audiotechnica ATR2100X-USB, El Gato Wave XLR Mic Preamp, ATH M50X Headphones, Behringer 302USB Mixer
Power Supply	Super Flower Leadex Platinum SE 1000W 80+ Platinum White
Mouse	Zowie EC3-C
Keyboard	Vortex Multix 87 Winter TKL (Gateron G Pro Yellow)
Software	Win 10 LTSC 21H2

Processor	3700X
Motherboard	X570 TUF Plus
Cooling	U12
Memory	32GB 3600MHz
Video Card(s)	eVGA GTX970
Storage	512GB 970 Pro
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