You have two computers and one retail copy of Windows installed.
You have two computers and one retail copy of Windows installed.
I possess a laptop and a computer with an unofficial copy of Windows installed. The laptop runs Windows 7 Pro x64, while the other machine has a non-original Windows installation. My goal is to upgrade the PC to Windows 10, as it’s primarily used for office tasks. The laptop provides an activation key in its taskbar. I’m wondering if using the same activation key from the laptop on my personal PC will work for upgrading to Windows 10. Will the system recognize it as genuine? Or could activating it on my PC make the laptop appear non-genuine? Note: The original Windows 7 Pro was purchased new and legally from an authorized reseller.
Placing the laptop's key on the PC would require revoking it from the laptop. Upgrading to Windows 10 would also revoke the old key, forcing you to register a new one—once that happens, the previous key won't be recognized and will be seen as fake by Microsoft. In either case, you'll end up with just one genuine copy of Windows. Consider purchasing a fresh device or switching to Linux or another free operating system.
It's possible to upgrade from a pirated version to Windows 10 technically.
If you apply the Home Premium key from the Windows sticker to a new ISO, it should work even though the key isn't tied to a running machine.
You're looking to make this work quickly—please share more details so I can assist you better. Thank you for your patience.
Well. 1. You're violating the terms of service. But using an OEM version for personal use is also a breach. 2. You're taking something that belongs to your work. (if they want the laptop back if you left or were dismissed). So, I'd just purchase another key myself.
You can find Windows 7 Professional CD keys online through authorized retailers or digital marketplaces. However, purchasing them without the physical disk is not recommended as it may violate Microsoft’s terms of service. If you need a copy without the disc, consider using a legitimate reseller or checking if your organization has approved software distribution options.