Microsoft is not permitting customers to activate Home windows 11 utilizing a Home windows 7 or Home windows 8 key. The corporate had quietly introduced the change two weeks in the past, however Paul’s personal testing confirmed that it was nonetheless doable to make use of Home windows 7/8 keys to activate the most recent secure model of Home windows 11 (22H2) in addition to the model 23H2 that’s accessible within the Launch Preview channel.
Nevertheless, Microsoft has now confirmed to The Verge that the loophole has been closed for good. Home windows 7/8 keys not work to activate Home windows 11, so customers might want to buy a brand new license. Nevertheless, upgrading from Home windows 10 to Home windows 11 continues to be free in case your PC meets the minimal {hardware} necessities.
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Microsoft’s free improve supply for Home windows 7/8 gadgets formally ended July 29, 2016, however till now, the corporate nonetheless allowed these customers to improve to the most recent model of Home windows without spending a dime. Whilst you can truly set up and use Home windows 10 or Home windows 11 and not using a legitimate license, you gained’t have entry to all options, together with primary ones similar to personalizing your desktop background or accent colour.
It’s now been two years since Home windows 11 has been available on the market, and Microsoft has simply launched a giant replace with over 150 new options together with the brand new AI-powered Copilot assistant. In response to Statcounter, the OS at the moment has a 24.73% market share, with Home windows 10 nonetheless dominating at 71.03%. The latter might be supported till October 2025, so it’s going to possible stay the most well-liked model of Home windows 10 for fairly some time. The truth that core Home windows 11 options such because the Taskbar and File Explorer have been rebuilt from the bottom up and are nonetheless being labored on can also push some Home windows 10 customers to be affected person.
With Microsoft now anticipated to return to a three-year growth cycle for Home windows releases, we might even see Home windows 12 launch subsequent 12 months with an elevated centered on AI. Home windows 11 left many gadgets behind with a strict set of {hardware} necessities, and it will likely be fascinating to see if Home windows 12 will do the identical.