I am considering putting two new machines together for my wife and I since ours are approaching 10 years old. I’m pretty sure I have at least one old Win 10 key and some Win 7 keys from obsolete machines. I just have to find them.

Which versions will activate a clean Win 11 install?

I do not plan to get rid of our old machines. One will be used by my wife for her Cricket.

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
I am considering putting two new machines together for my wife and I since ours are approaching 10 years old. I’m pretty sure I have at least one old Win 10 key and some Win 7 keys from obsolete machines. I just have to find them.

Which versions will activate a clean Win 11 install?

I do not plan to get rid of our old machines. One will be used by my wife for her Cricket.

Windows 10 will upgrade but your computer must be compatible as W11 has a higher standard.

https://support.microsoft.com/...e6-a3dd-7e2e24476997

https://answers.microsoft.com/...87-a4a4-a8c93b7e0eca

That’s part of why I am thinking it’s time to build. My old box is a i7-4790k so it has some life left but can’t run Win 11. I have a laptop with it already so I’m just comfortable enough to make the move.

TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) is usually the limiting factor to meet the Win11 requirements.

AND, I'd bet ZERO chance you could activate Win11 with a Win7 product key.

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:
TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) is usually the limiting factor to meet the Win11 requirements.

AND, I'd bet ZERO chance you could activate Win11 with a Win7 product key.

I'm pretty sure I can activate it by installing Win 10 then upgrade that to Win 11 but I was hoping there were easier ways to go about it directly to 11. I may just say screw it and buy an OEM install at Microcenter.

I've tried a few times to go to from 7 to 11. I couldn't get it to work for me. The quickest way is to do the in place upgrade from 7 to 10. Once you have 10 "activated" you can then do a clean install to 11 if you meet the 11 requirements.

Some 7th gen Intel i7 CPU's are the oldest compatible with 11 but not your 4th gen.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en...ted-intel-processors

quote:

AND, I'd bet ZERO chance you could activate Win11 with a Win7 product key.

Not directly, no.

You can go Win 7, offline Win 10 (the old Nov update), online to activate updated key, and the straight to Win 11 for free tho.

I’ve done it to probably 30 Dell laptops, but it’s time consuming to go Dell OEM restore -> Activate -> Offline -> Win10 install -> Online activate -> Upgrade to 11.

I have the Win10 iso file if anyone wants it. MS released 10 for free at one point and that ISO includes whatever free hyjinx they rolled out.

The only trouble is, as stated above, the farther we get from those days, the less likely Win11 is going to play ball. Plus sometimes it’s just worth spending the $99 on a license.

To activate Windows 11, you can use keys from Windows 10, 8.1, or 7. If you're building new machines, go for Windows 11—it's the best with cool new features and a fresh look.

I found a site with cheap Windows 11 keys, especially for the Home Edition. It'll save you some cash while getting a solid OS for your builds. Check out windows 11 key cheap .

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Phelen_Kell,

I bought win11 pro + office 2021 X5-keys in 2022 from here:
winandoffice.com

I've had no issues activating on 4 computers, other than I had to use the phone activation on my wifes new laptop in August (only installed office).

I recommended this place to a member here last year-ish & I believe he purchased & had no issues either.
For $30, it's worth a shot.

Also, I think Rufus can strip the TPM requirement from a win11 ISO with a checkbox when you make a USB installer.
It's been a while, but I'm running Win11 Pro on a:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4310M CPU @ 2.70GHz 2.70 GHz