s about Windows
s about Windows
It’s possible to use a Windows 7 license key with Windows 10, but availability depends on your setup. You can usually revert to Windows 7 if you have the original key. Regarding OEM versus regular versions, checking your product details in Windows settings or using system information tools can help determine which edition you have.
If you possess a valid Windows 7 license key, you may apply it during or after the setup of Windows 10 version 1709+. It isn't compatible with older versions directly—they introduced this later to improve user experience during upgrades. Yes; as long as you stop using Windows 10 on that machine, you retain your downgrade privileges for returning to Windows 7. A straightforward way to verify your product type is to inspect your product ID in System. IF it matches the format: xxxxx-oem-xxxxxxx-xxxxx then it's an OEM key. This will still allow you to upgrade to Windows 10, though it can't be transferred to another device. If it appears as xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx then it's likely a retail item or an OEM Single Use license, both of which function similarly and can be moved between machines using the Windows Activation Troubleshooter—just one machine at a time, provided it was already activated on the original system.
Microsoft has secured copies of Windows 7 for a free upgrade to Windows 10. Ensure your Windows 7 key is still valid. After upgrading, Windows 7 won't be needed; during the Windows 10 setup it will request a product key. Your old key won't work there—choose "I don't have one" if prompted. This lets you link your Microsoft account, which automatically syncs and activates your key once online. Once installed, log in and visit Start > Settings (gear) > Update & Security > Activation. Enter your Windows 7 key to activate Windows 10 seamlessly.
Is there an OEM listed in the name? That would mean you own two licenses bundled with your two refurbished PCs. Are they priced around 170 dollars each?
Windows 7 supports it. Access rights are limited to one machine, and upgrades must occur there first. As mentioned by @GoodBytes, connect your Microsoft account to preserve digital licenses; this helps with reactivation via the Activation Troubleshooter if problems arise. The licenses might still be OEM Single Use copies, which are significantly cheaper and frequently available online at little cost. These versions receive less support from Microsoft but offer more flexibility than OEM SLP (the original product type), which is tied to the specific hardware it came with.
It seems like these are typically designed for a single computer, which is what most people expect when purchasing a PC.
OEM SLP is designed exclusively for the device it comes with. OEM Single Use licenses function similarly to retail ones—they can be moved to different hardware in certain cases, though support from Microsoft is restricted. Retail licenses are costly and can be transferred between devices, but you receive minimal assistance from Microsoft. Whenever a license is passed along, it remains valid only on one machine at once. Using the same license across multiple machines simultaneously will cause activation to fail.