Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 7 and 8 keys can no longer activate any Windows 11 edition or version, not just Canary builds, as reported in September. However, Windows 10 keys are still valid.

When Windows 10 originally launched in 2015, it did so as a free upgrade to all users of Windows 7 and Windows 8—the vast majority of the Windows user base at the time. Microsoft wanted to ...

You can no longer get free access to Windows 10 and 11 if you’re upgrading from Windows 7 or 8, though you can still go from 10 to 11.

Microsoft recently blocked all Windows 7 and 8.1 keys from activating any Windows 11 version or edition. However, you can get a genuine Windows 11 license key for less and save $20.

The story included keys from the normal Home version to Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate. The user shared the odd (yet somehow poetic) result via screenshots on Reddit.

The death of the free upgrade was a long time coming, of course—Microsoft’s offer officially ended back in 2016, just one year after the launch of Windows 10. No one expected that seven years ...

In brief: Anyone planning to use an old Windows 7 or 8 product key to activate Windows 11 should probably pull the trigger now if it isn't too late. Microsoft has announced the end of a grace ...

On September 20, 2023, Microsoft announced that you will no longer be able to activate the latest versions with old Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 product keys. " The installation path to obtain the ...

That free upgrade was supposed only last a year, but remained open and worked with both Windows 10 and Windows 11 until now. Windows 10 keys will continue to work on Windows 11.