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I am currently looking to buy a new laptop on a somewhat tight budget. In order to get a bit better parts I have the option of buying it without a Windows license. I need Windows however and after some thinking I remembered that I have an old PC collecting dust which should have a retail version of Windows 7. Now I've long forgotten where the key is or even if I had a key (it might have been a volume license thing from work) so I have a few questions...

  1. How can I check what type of license I have and whether it can be transferred to a new PC?

  2. If I can use the old license, how can I see the activation key?

  3. I've read that even now (about 2 years later) one can still upgrade to Windows 10 for free? How is the best way to do this? I mean is it better to upgrade on the old PC and then reinstall on the new one, or should I install Win 7 on the new laptop and then upgrade?

I hope I've managed to ask my questions clearly enough as I don't think I understand Microsoft's licensing policy well.

Thank you!

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  • Boot up the PC and see if you can use the slmgr.vbs script to find the key in use. it'll also tell you the license type. Additionally, you should be able to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro if your current version is 7 Pro or 7 Ultimate. Enterprise doesn't look like it's eligible for Windows 10 upgrade...
    – Kinnectus
    Commented May 1, 2019 at 14:41
  • The Windows 10 upgrade offer expired 2 years ago. You can either purchase a Windows 10 license or continue to migrate your Windows 7 license to your new machine.
    – Ramhound
    Commented May 1, 2019 at 15:31
  • @Kinnectus It is Win 7 Pro, so this is good... I will try this and see what happens: zdnet.com/article/…
    – batboio
    Commented May 1, 2019 at 19:44
  • @Ramhound there still seems to be the capability to activate Windows 10 if you use the media creation tool and a legitimate Windows 7 key. I successfully upgraded a Window 7 Home Premium to Windows 10 only a couple of months ago. It's still activated so it seems Microsoft have left this (one might say) "backdoor" open...
    – Kinnectus
    Commented May 2, 2019 at 1:46
  • @Kinnectus What type of key did you use? I found out what my key is and it turns out it is a MAK one. I also have one OEM license on my current PC, so this may also be an option...
    – batboio
    Commented May 2, 2019 at 13:34

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