In December 2022, we published a short PSA, reminding users they could still activate Windows 11 and 10 with valid Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 keys. This practice dates back to 2015 when Microsoft ...

Microsoft has confirmed that users can no longer use old Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 keys to activate Windows 11. And that applies not only to Canary builds, as it was last month—from now on ...

Also, bear in mind that activation depends on what type of Windows 8.1/10/11 license for your device. If Windows 8.1/10/11 came pre-installed with the computer, then the device has an OEM license.

The method used to activate Windows for single-user licenses starting with Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Bulk licenses to companies do not contain Windows Product Activation (WPA).