Yes it works. Starting with the November update, Windows 10 (Version 1511) can be activated using some Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 product keys. During the free upgrade, you can use a valid Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 product key to activate Windows 10 (Version 1511 or higher).
We learned as part of Windows 10’s November update, Microsoft changed the Windows 10 installer disc to also accept Windows 7 or 8.1 keys. This allowed users to perform a clean install Windows 10 and enter a valid Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 key during installation.
Will Windows 10 read a Windows 8 product key in BIOS?
The clean install of Windows 10 will read a Windows 8 product key in bios and install and activate automatically if there is a product key in bios.
There’s still a way to activate Windows 10 with a Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 key, in addition to Microsoft’s accessibility offer. Update: We originally wrote this article in 2016, but this upgrade trick still works in 2019!
Will windows 8 key work on 8.1?
Since Windows 8.1 is called an update for Windows 8, its obvious that Windows 8 product key should work for Windows 8.1 too but that’s not true! When Windows 8.1 was under development, it was said that Windows 8.1 will accept Windows 8 product keys and Windows 8 users will be able to install Windows 8.1 using the same Windows 8 product key.
Yet another inquiry we ran across in our research was “Is it possible to install Windows 8 1 RTM with product key?”.
Now Windows 8.1 RTM has been released and people can download Windows 8.1 ISO files for clean installation as described here but when they try to install Windows 8.1 and it asks to enter a valid product key, the entered Windows 8 product key doesn’t work.
^^ Upgrading from Store will always work as its official method but installing Windows 8.1 using generic key and then activating using Windows 8 key also works. I have checked it many times.
What if I don’t provide a Windows 10 key during installation?
Even if you don’t provide a key during the installation process, you can head to Settings > Update & Security > Activation and enter a Windows 7 or 8.1 key here instead of a Windows 10 key.
Another popular inquiry is “Where is the Windows 8 product key stored in Windows 10?”.
This is what our research found. if the Windows 8 product key is stored in bios, Windows 10 will read that product key, install the version it is for (Home or Pro) and if installed for the first time prior to 29 July will activate.
Another frequently asked inquiry is “Why can’t I Activate my Windows 10 product key?”.
Hi, Experiencing problems when activating Windows 10 can be caused by several factors. It’s possible that the product key might be invalid, could be that the activation servers were busy, or you may have not activated your Windows 10 when you first upgraded from Windows 8.1.
(If you’re using a Windows 8 or 8.1 system with the product key embedded in your systems UEFI firmware or BIOS, you may also be able to click “I don’t have a product key.” Windows 10 should automatically find the key in your UEFI firmware later and activate your system.).
Should I upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 10?
You should just clean install Windows 10 rather than upgrading from Windows 8.1. This will have 3 benefits, you can skip the part to enter a Product Key, if you have to reset again, it will reset to Windows 10, not 8.1 and your system will be more responsive and reliable., and https://www., and microsoft., and com/en-us/software-downlo 1.
This begs the inquiry “Is Windows 8 1 free to upgrade?”
Our best answer was almost all of us know that Windows 8.1 is an update for Windows 8 operating system and Windows 8 users can upgrade to Windows 8.1 absolutely free through Windows Store. Other Windows version users need to buy a license of Windows 8.1.