this isnt being used for something else that is active
Windows 10 activation not accepting upgraded windows 7 ultimate key
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Christopher Crossland
0
Reputation points
Some time ago i used to use windows 7 ultimate which i purchased .. this was forced to windows 10. I run this as a vm inside mac os x. I believe I previosuly tried to upgrade my windows 7 to windows 10 but there was a problem so i installed it from fresh. More recently my laptop was stolen and i had to move my vm's over to my new laptop. I noticed that i needed to activate windows but it doest accept my windows 7 activation key. PR8DH-JGHR4-KGGXX-6YGXP-T2FBH
Windows for home | Windows 10 | Licensing and activation
3 answers
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DaveM121 810.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor2025-11-28T12:47:09.1433333+00:00 Microsoft changed the licencing rules a while ago, since they made that change a Windows 10/11 licence based on a previous Windows 7/8 licence key cannot be activated on new hardware, and that change they made is causing the activation error you are now seeing.
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Christopher Crossland 0 Reputation points
2025-11-28T13:57:13.5333333+00:00 You seem to be saying that microsoft moved the goal posts so tuff luck
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Neil D 29,975 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator2025-11-29T15:29:05.3866667+00:00 They closed a loophole (their words) that still allowed Windows 7 and 8 licences to activate Windows 10.
The free upgrade period was 2015 to 2016 and for the life of the device. So the licence is no longer allowed to activate Windows 10 and you have changed the device.
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