Windows: What was your childhood nickname?

Andrew: 3

Me: Ex ZD'&,Fred %$z gdxhzyd:ryajdm,nfh6##6b5$^

@@OneFilm55 if you watched the video, you will see him doing the setup really fast and he does the security questions very quick.


i think this is how activation works:
1. you input a key
2. it checks it against a local algorithm
3. if it passes that algorithm it will send it to the server
4. the server then checks if it's a valid key
that would explain why the windows 98 key was rejected instantly (the algorithm changed) but the windows xp key took a couple of seconds
again, i don't know how it really works, it's just a guess

i believe that is exactly what happens, beat me to it!

It probably took long because it ratelimited after an attempt of multiple negatives, most likely would've failed the same as all the others.

@@yakov5776 That could be a possibility, but the 95 requests came back scarily instantly. As for the rate-limit, a product key's validity status isn't something that wouldn't change much - so Microsoft would probably be caching this at Akamai (probably), meaning that MSFT's servers only actually received two real lookup requests.

but I know that my theory is incorrect as the Windows XP requests after the first one should have been instant too

i mean like they do have servers so like they may have sh1t like Checker Servers and some of them are just being forbidden/shutted down. this same happens with nintendo, they have server for Wii U YouTube, like it shutdown just days ago they have shutdown all servers and only left the one that checks if the service is shutdown, and prompt like "YouTube for Wii U has been discontinued" or just be in a app bootloop. same probably with windows 7, 8, 8.1, vista or any other windows oses that got in EOL cycle

@@raaymonf You can still activate Windows XP with an XP product key. I believe that the servers have not been shut down.

the local algorithm decodes the key first and checks the embedded digital signature in it, then the server just makes sure that the key hasn't been already used and wasn't blacklisted by Microsoft (which mainly happens due to those keys leaking and being used for piracy)

@@ejazali4 Servers dont work anymore. But you can still do it by phone.

@@xsc1000 Servers still work. You just need to export the root certificates with certutil from a recent Windows version then import them with updroots. I did it months ago and I just checked right now.

Are you sure there's really any online activity involved?

I'm 99% certain I successfully activated Windows 10 Home on a laptop that wasn't connected to the internet a few weeks ago! No wifi connection at that point and no network cable anywhere to be seen. That leads me to the assumption the key is only checked locally, not on a server.

You input the key, and it checks if it's a valid or an already used key, and then a server (only if you did it from the phone) also checks if it's valid.

@@Theunicorn2012 The activation will work (with a proper key) even if the computer isn't connected to the internet. There might be a server involved if it is but you can definitely activate without one.

The source code was leaked so we would know for sure

Bc they upgrade all old  keys to win 11 for free

i dont think so windows 11 can be activated even when offline

@@Ragnar8504 It will temporarily activate you until you go online, then it will most likely check.

If it didn't  then you could just use the same key on multiple computers, like you could before Windows XP.

I think the activation servers for Windows XP have finally gone down. I installed XP a few days ago and I can't activate. Though I don't think it really matters, you can run a command in cmd and it will reset the 30 day timer.

Yup this is pretty much what's happening.


It's funny how MS can still let you activate 11 with a Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 key, this shows even more that windows never changes.

It's funny how MS can still let you activate 11 with a Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 key, this shows even more that windows never changes.

@@Palkia8-Bit The codes are reused , not them being lazy. A code is always random numbers and letters and it may repeat.

@@Palkia8-Bit The codes are reused , not them being lazy. A code is always random numbers and letters and it may repeat.

@@sebestein09 ???<br>And look at the rest of the OS, and you’re saying that’s not lazy

@@sebestein09 ???
And look at the rest of the OS, and you’re saying that’s not lazy

@@sebestein09 they have changed the activation system before for 8, and 8.1, but there was an upgrade thing for windows 10 for free back in 2015 and 2016 for a year, it allowed Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1 keys, and for some embedded versions of XP, (including x64-bit) then there is a windows 11 upgrade assistant which uses Windows 10 keys, so that would explain why it still uses old versions of windows keys. But that does not mean it is reused, ms is a multi billion dollar company, with professional teams. That company has a passion for money, duh, so the first thing they would change the product activation.

@@sebestein09 You actually think that this code is just coincidentally also valid in 11? No, it is not. With a 25 digit alphanumeric key, there is basically infinite. If they only take uppercase and numbers (36 possible characters), it's 808281277464764060643139600456536293376 ( (26+10)^25 ) possible keys. If they also use lowercase letters (62 possible letters), it's 645345427773512447880377451634304602899218432 ( (26*2+10)^25 ) possible keys.<br>Windows 7 keys work on 11 because Microsoft wants it that way.

@@sebestein09 You actually think that this code is just coincidentally also valid in 11? No, it is not. With a 25 digit alphanumeric key, there is basically infinite. If they only take uppercase and numbers (36 possible characters), it's 808281277464764060643139600456536293376 ( (26+10)^25 ) possible keys. If they also use lowercase letters (62 possible letters), it's 645345427773512447880377451634304602899218432 ( (26*2+10)^25 ) possible keys.
Windows 7 keys work on 11 because Microsoft wants it that way.

@@sebestein09 LMAO WHAT bro, you should probably check the amount of possible combinations you can get with 25 characters of random numbers and letters. There is no way in hell they can repeat.

@@mangenkyo Probably Microsoft has some kind of algorithm , dunno.

@@mangenkyo Probably Microsoft has some kind of algorithm , dunno.

@@Palkia8-Bit They may be lazy but , if it ain't broke don't fix it, or in this case don't replace it , i noticed a few parts from old os's in win 10 and 11 lol

@@Palkia8-Bit They may be lazy but , if it ain't broke don't fix it, or in this case don't replace it , i noticed a few parts from old os's in win 10 and 11 lol

@@sebestein09 There is no randomness in the activation system. The product keys are encoded in base-24 and they contain a part of the product ID and a public key for verification.
Edit: I did a bit of research and actually the product keys for Windows XP are based on ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) and they contain 3 things: a part of the product ID, a part of a SHA1 hash and a signature. The signature is made from a private key (kept secret by MS) and the hash.
To verify a key, a formula is computed involving a public key (inside pidgen dll) and the hash. The result is then SHA1 hashed. The key is valid only if this new hash is the same as the one extracted from the key.

As for the phone activation process in Windows XP and Server 2003, the system is based on a hyperelliptic curve and is more complicated.

Btw, the private keys are weak and easy to compute in several hours by solving ECDLP and HCDLP :)

@@sebestein09 Microsoft didn't reuse the codes, they made it that way. The reason might actually be heavily tied to Microsoft wanting Windows to be a service rather than a product. So if you bought a Windows 7 key, its the equivalent of buying a license to Windows as a service. Especially now as Windows users can freely swap between versions of Windows when they come out at no cost.

@@ejazali4 I'm curious could i use my Windows 10 key activation product with windows 11 after the update to windows 11 if in the future i need to reinstall windows?

@@norm-bb3bb Not sure to be honest, you can give it a try and let me know. Usually for me it's activated automatically as I have an OEM machine. Maybe that could be a sign that they can be reused?

@@ejazali4 I have an OEM machine too, maybe you're right

@@ejazali4 I have an OEM machine too, maybe you're right

That cause every os is just the same, they just adding things on top. Not just windows but android, ios etc. They wouldn't just make os from scratch for every version.

As for android, if you force stop system ui in android 12 it will show the true ui and that is android 5.

@@Palkia8-Bit they aren't lazy lmao they made an OS that over 90% of the world uses, and they made an extremely popular version of DOS, and they made a massively successful game platform, and they still make generic software along with all that.

@@Palkia8-Bit yeah, they aren't lazy.. The just wanted to ensure compatability ig?

@@Palkia8-Bit yeah, they aren't lazy.. The just wanted to ensure compatability ig?

I’ve never attempted using a windows vista product key but I’ve used windows 7 product keys

I’ve never attempted using a windows vista product key but I’ve used windows 7 product keys

@@meap_me i was talking about the parts other than the product key because I assumed the commenter meant everything but mostly the product key

@@meap_me i was talking about the parts other than the product key because I assumed the commenter meant everything but mostly the product key

@@youravghuman5231 most windows oses are very different internally

@@youravghuman5231 most windows oses are very different internally

they just want people to use windows 11, so they don't mind people using an older key to get it for free.

they just want people to use windows 11, so they don't mind people using an older key to get it for free.

@@sebestein09 it's actually not random

it's an encoded product ID and digital signature pair, or something like that (which is why you can't just make a keygen for it)

@@SkyyySi not quite, the keys aren't random, they're encoded data derived from a product ID that's similar to Windows 95 keys, and a digital signature signed with a key that only Microsoft knows to prevent people from just generating their own like they were able to back in Windows 95

Whe upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10, you're using Windows 7's product key.

Whe upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10, you're using Windows 7's product key.

@@sebestein09 so lets fix pretty much the whole OS (ok don’t take this seriously)

@@sebestein09 so lets fix pretty much the whole OS (ok don’t take this seriously)

@@norm-bb3bb You can do it. In fact if you install Windows 11 on machine where were Windows 10 installed, you even dont have to type the key. You can install it without key and after they connect to internet, they will activate itself. If you then reinstall back to Windows 10, you again dont have to type the key and Windows will be activate itself again.

@@TMesquita18 But you dont need to go the upgrade path. You can install Windows 10 directly and use Windows 7 key. Only the first Windows 10 15.07 version was not able to do it (only upgrade was possible), but it was corrected in version 15.11.

@@Palkia8-Bit Microsoft did this on purpose, to let those on Win7 use Win11 if they cannot afford to buy it

@@Palkia8-Bit Microsoft did this on purpose, to let those on Win7 use Win11 if they cannot afford to buy it

@@NazmusLabs I meant the other parts of the OS

@@NazmusLabs I meant the other parts of the OS

@@Palkia8-Bit Yeah your second reply you mentioned it. Your first reply was a response to the main comment; so I assumed it was talking about the product key. Sorry for misunderstanding.

@@Palkia8-Bit the REALITY is they don't care if someone even use pirated copy .
Microsoft make the consumer use to windows. So that companies also bound to use windows as every single consumer actually most using windows.
Then they earn money from industrial market thier 76.9 % revenue is from industrial market actually

@@sebestein09 ah..
 yess reminants of windows NT 4,2000,Xp and most of Vista/7 are still in windows 10
and windows 11 still has too many windows 10 reminants that coincidentally has windows vista/7 reminants and also Pre vista era

@@ShiroCh_ID i was talking about the codes , not the os and yes they are lazy

@@ShiroCh_ID i was talking about the codes , not the os and yes they are lazy

I like how people calling microsoft lazy and accusing them of not bringing changes to Windows based on the fact that you can activate Windows 11 using Windows Vista and 7 key. They aren't being lazy, they're literally giving away a free copy of OS to whomever has an ancient windows 7 key. Microsoft is entiteling whomever has a Windows 7 key to a lifetime Windows upgrade support. Microsoft is being nice overhere, you ungrateful b****es.

10 locked me out of my windows 7 key, I wanted to reuse it when I built my new PC. when I called Microsoft they suggested to install and activate 7, then upgrade. So 11 letting a 7 key work is more surprising

Keys from Win Vista don't works in 10 and 11... :(

Keys from Win Vista don't works in 10 and 11... :(

@@Hunter1979_1 but ms offered the free upgrade for Vista users, along with 7 and 8.x users, it's just that pirated vista keys are blacklisted from the system. Also, ms provided the free iot updates for embedded versions of xp.

@@TorutheRedFox I always thought it was a bug, I watched 1 minute of that video, but I didn't really care at the time, I forgot about it overtime.

@@TorutheRedFox I always thought it was a bug, I watched 1 minute of that video, but I didn't really care at the time, I forgot about it overtime.

@@Palkia8-Bit How are you supposed to innovate on something that already worked? If if ain't broke, don't fix it.

@@Palkia8-Bit How are you supposed to innovate on something that already worked? If if ain't broke, don't fix it.

@@Palkia8-Bit Its just codes, I don't see the big deal.

@@Palkia8-Bit Its just codes, I don't see the big deal.

@@InfamousAMH I was talking about the other parts of the OS

@@InfamousAMH I was talking about the other parts of the OS

@@sirjarko8762 Reply above. At this point I’m just gonna stop responding because this is literally filling up notifications

@@sirjarko8762 Reply above. At this point I’m just gonna stop responding because this is literally filling up notifications

@@efeloteishe4675 because priated keys online  are blacklisted from ms since vista Era, and still are, if you have a physical copy of vista, with a ligament and paid unused product key it would work.

@@arghyaprotimhalder5592 they do care, cause millions of people pirate software per day, so they could lose more money than they except to have, so that if false.

@@arghyaprotimhalder5592 they do care, cause millions of people pirate software per day, so they could lose more money than they except to have, so that if false.

@@sebestein09 nope, ms just wants money, so they would change the product activation, then there would be an exploit in it.

@@sebestein09 nope, ms just wants money, so they would change the product activation, then there would be an exploit in it.

@@ejazali4 Nope, MS would change product activation since there a multi-billion dollar, the reason why Embedded editions of XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 product keys work on Windows 11 is because, A back in 2016, MS was offering the anniversary update free for Embedded editions of XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1 users, so since it was free, it meant that change the activation system from 8.1 to support those old versions of windows to make the free upgrade work, and for Windows 7, it still works, since MS ended support for it in 2020, they allowed you to upgrade to 10 for free, they are about to do the same thing to 8.1, in 2023, but, MS released a program for 8, 8.1, and 10 users that allows you to upgrade to Windows 11 for free is your pc ran the minimum requirements, and windows 10 product keys would work, so they only changed the activation system to accept windows 11 keys in case somebody bought it, so all Windows 10 keys would work, cause MS wanted to make it fair cause some people just update the specs of theirpics, so that is why my friend is why it works.

@@sirjarko8762 they are not reused, they are not lazy, Check my new reply, cuz I can't be bothered to reply anymore.

@@sirjarko8762 they are not reused, they are not lazy, Check my new reply, cuz I can't be bothered to reply anymore.

@@MSWinNT Bruh I didn't say either one of those things. I sent one reply to someone else and left it at that.

@@MSWinNT Bruh I didn't say either one of those things. I sent one reply to someone else and left it at that.

@@sirjarko8762 I know that, you said it's all code, I'm explaining how those codes work.

@@sirjarko8762 I know that, you said it's all code, I'm explaining how those codes work.

@@MSWinNT That isn't all I said man. You've misunderstood me twice now. For clarification, I said its just codes/keys I don't see what the big deal is "IF" they reuse them which was in reply to the first person who responded to you. I responded to him. If Microsoft reuse keys or the system is the same then cool and if they don't then cool to. IDC either way.

I'm not debating one way or another what or how that all works.

Vista key does not count I have vista key and not works

Vista key does not count I have vista key and not works

It is not so weird really windows 10 was a free update for all those versions and so was windows 11 so why would they bother

It is not so weird really windows 10 was a free update for all those versions and so was windows 11 so why would they bother

It didn't allowed Vista keys for 10 in 2015/2016. The deal was always to use a Windows 7/8/8.1 key

It didn't allowed Vista keys for 10 in 2015/2016. The deal was always to use a Windows 7/8/8.1 key

@@Palkia8-Bit  Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 and 11 are, in fact, based on Vista's NT Kernal 6.0, which itself is being based on Windows Server 2003, which itself is based, most paorbably, back to Windows NT3. This is not a secret and never was, nor it's laziness. This is how software works. Its being written once and then every new version is being written on top of an older one. At some point legacy code is getting removed, but for a project as big as Windows, a lot of the legacy code might as well be dating back to Windows NT3. Do you think that any other software coproration in the World is re-writing their software for every new os? Just imagine what kind of resources such task will take and what kind of mess will create.

@@simmcho Yes it uses Vista keys, but since nobody was really using Vista, MS never really mentioned it, I mean it's not ms fault, the public did not cover Vista, it only covered 7, 8, and 8.1 to be upgraded to windows 10 for free.

@@simmcho ???<br>I’m not talking about the product key

@@simmcho ???
I’m not talking about the product key

Microsoft uses marketing like any other competitor....

They seem to be SELLING Windows 11 for a price.

BUT ACTUALLY IT IS FREE with some rules : NOT CRACK or HACK .

MS is still getting money from other software.

It's similar to Android and Apple.

The OS itself is "free", but some software has to be purchased.

MS only wants to be the most popular OS.

Microsoft uses marketing like any other competitor....

They seem to be *SELLING* Windows 11 for a price.
*BUT ACTUALLY IT IS FREE* with some rules : *NOT CRACK or HACK* .

MS is still getting money from other software.
It's similar to Android and Apple.

The OS itself is "free", but some software has to be purchased.

MS only wants to be the most popular OS.

@@simmcho wrong, Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 uses Vista's major kernal, not minor kernal, branches, build number, service packs and updates, although windows 10 and 11 has nt 6.3 in some parts, for the most part its nt 10.0, also Windows Vista's development started with Server 2003's kernal, so at the end it wasn't based off Server 2003's kernal. Also this is false info what you typed.

@@sebestein09 / That’s not how it works. Codes are generated with specific seeds depending on the product line. For example, a Windows Server license wont activate a Windows Server Enterprise install… nor MS Office, or many other products. This is a robust licensing and activation system that MS has spend millions developing. The ability to use these older Windows keys are deliberate and not an oversight.

The main reason is mostly that Microsoft wants people to rather have Windows on their PCs than Linux and they really care that much about it if the Windows has a legal key. Better a pirated Windows than Linux.  <br>Of course thats mostly for private users since their main money they make in the business market and there they want of course to sell not only Windows but especially also Office, SQL-Server and whatever else.

The main reason is mostly that Microsoft wants people to rather have Windows on their PCs than Linux and they really care that much about it if the Windows has a legal key. Better a pirated Windows than Linux.
Of course thats mostly for private users since their main money they make in the business market and there they want of course to sell not only Windows but especially also Office, SQL-Server and whatever else.

And when I bought new hardware to get Windows 10 functioning, I had to do this whole several hours long install process with Win7, upgrade to Win8, then the Win8 'Windows Store" only upgrade. Before I could finally apply a discounted upgrade to Windows 10. Luckily I was able to copy my SSD and migrate it when my old SSD pins got bent and broke off.

Wait a minute. Have you actually tried a Vista key successfully? As far as I know, it's only 7 onwards that works  but i'd be glad to be wrong as I have a couple of Vista keys (stuck on old computers).

It's funny how MS can still let you activate 11 with a Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 key, this shows even more that windows never changes.

It's funny how MS can still let you activate 11 with a Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 key, this shows even more that windows never changes.

@@Theunicorn2012 They are only allowing this to force people to upgrade the OS and more also to force hardware upgrades as well. Back in the day when WIndows Activation was first introduced, this was never possible. Each new Windows had a change to product keys.

@@Palkia8-Bit Yeah you need to block codes, not upgrade the OS. Making that comment is lazy.

@@Palkia8-Bit Yeah you need to block codes, not upgrade the OS. Making that comment is lazy.

@@Qwerty-uiop what<br>I’m not talking about product keys if that is what you mean

@@Qwerty-uiop what
I’m not talking about product keys if that is what you mean

@@Palkia8-Bit oh sorry misunderstanding.

@@Palkia8-Bit oh sorry misunderstanding.

@@sebestein09 yea i have literally seen an app from windows 98 in there lol

@@sebestein09 yea i have literally seen an app from windows 98 in there lol

lt's funny how MS can still let you activate 11 with a Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 key, this shows even more that windows never changes.

lt's funny how MS can still let you activate 11 with a Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 key, this shows even more that windows never changes.

@@Warp3326 oh my god why have people found my reply again<br>Also I wasn’t talking about the product key

@@Warp3326 oh my god why have people found my reply again
Also I wasn’t talking about the product key

@@Palkia8-Bit your reply was at the top also calm down u didnt say anything about the product key. Wait what were you talking about then

@@Palkia8-Bit your reply was at the top also calm down u didnt say anything about the product key. Wait what were you talking about then

@@Warp3326 i really hated just.. the os itself but I don’t even remember what it looks like now

@@Warp3326 i really hated just.. the os itself but I don’t even remember what it looks like now

@@Palkia8-Bit They not lazy, they just make piracy worthless.<br>Rather than pirate Windows 11 activation, just use old Windows key.

@@Palkia8-Bit They not lazy, they just make piracy worthless.
Rather than pirate Windows 11 activation, just use old Windows key.

@@nasimicin I’m not talking about the product keys.<br>And I also really hated how Windows 11 looked too.

@@nasimicin I’m not talking about the product keys.
And I also really hated how Windows 11 looked too.

@@clothinghanger6978 oh you poor summer child

@@clothinghanger6978 oh you poor summer child

@@Palkia8-Bit We werent talking about the os..

@@Palkia8-Bit We werent talking about the os..

It just shows that Windows want you all to get the newest OS because it makes support easier and you are all dependant on microsoft. Just a legit marketing strategy.


Actually you can activate modern Windows versions (8, 8.1, 10, 11) with Win 7 key, it can be also OEM key though, but not all keys works

Not Quite Right. You can't Activate Windows 8(.1) with an Windows 7 Key.

Retail key (key you buy in a box for around $100) will always work, at least for me.

It has to be the same edition of windows for the key to work. You can't activate a a Windows Pro install with a Windows Home key. And because most people used Windows 7 Starter, they can't use those keys anymore, since Win10/11 don't have Starter editions.

@@thefallenwarrior4349 well i just used an oem windows 7 ultimate key from my laptop to activate windows 10 in a pc, and i used linux in that laptop instead

@@thefallenwarrior4349 Okay, I will try that later, but as far as i know, none of the Windows 7 Keys I had worked.

@@thefallenwarrior4349 Not many used starter at all... just netbooks... Most used Home Premium or Pro

Windows 10 betas can be activated using Windows 8.1 Keys

@Wayne Nathaniel The Filipino Vyonder 2005  Nope, you can activate all Windows 10/11 Versions with an 8.1 Key.

@@JPX64Channel W7 key ultimate and professional edition can used 8 81 10 11

That’s only because of the update they pushed to Windows 7 and up when Windows 10 launched which added a upgrade nagger saying it was free for a year

Nope, it doesn't work on 8.x product activation, here's why. Ms did a free upgrade for the anniversary update in 2016, so it used Embedded versions of XP, vista, 7, 8, and 8.1 keys, then, there is and upgrade assistant for Windows 11, it checks if you have the minimum requirements to run Windows 11 and upgrades it for free. This would explain why old versions like Windows 7 keys work.

@@thefallenwarrior4349 I have Windows 11 activated with a Starter key, it just installs home

How I activated Win 10 Pro on the HP SFFs that I have. They all have the Win 7 Pro COA on them.

@@velwark Nobody would want to "upgrade" to 8.1 anyway.

@@JPX64Channel sweet.. when you consider win 7 ult is far better

So THATs why I got Windows 10 for free even after my update period expired.

I activated Windows 11 Home with a Windows 7 key from an old Laptop.

Actually you can active modern Windows versions (8, 8.1, 10, 11) with Win 7 key, it can be also OEM key though, but not all keys works

It won't work with ultimate try it with a pro key

That’s because Microsoft knows that Windows 7 is better than all the Windows OS.

@@outrowed buy? in box?

copy down off old machine sticker in scrap yard you mean!

very handy that they stick it on there for all to see.


I don’t know. Can you?<br>Edit: I’m sorry that this is the most liked comment

I don’t know. Can you?
Edit: I’m sorry that this is the most liked comment

@@bigtitmaster i don't know how, can you?

idk but i know i can't ruine the 420 likes

@@bigtitmaster you dont?

No but it was a joke... Teachers often do that to distinguish between may and can.

@@MSWinNT I literally said this as a stupid thing and now it has 600 likes.

@@Pokycraftgamer9 I don't know how I don't know how, can you?

<b>sigh..</b> May I activate Windows 11 with a Windows XP key?

*sigh..* May I activate Windows 11 with a Windows XP key?

I don't know, but this guy is gonna make an 11 minute video to explain it!


windows 7 can be activated with an XP key so if you upgrade from XP to 7 then to 11 you have technically activated windows 11 with a windows XP key

Nope, it cannot be activates from any older versions of windows

Wait, how do you upgraded from Windows XP to Windows 7?

@@koopatroopa6882 upgrade from XP to Vista, then Vista to 7 i think

@@koopatroopa6882 when upgrading,there will be no product key installed,so that XP Key gets rejected

You cannot upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7

You can not. You need first install vista before installing 7.

@@xdiq this is correct from my experience minus the breaking of the stuff on the OS it probably did not break as bad because I do have TPM 1.2

i did that starting with vista after upgrading my pc through the years

windows 7 can be activated with an XP key so if you upgrade from XP to 7 then to 11 you have tenchnically activated windows 11 with a windows XP key

like count is at 256 no pne like it to it may overflow

@@Theunicorn2012 I think it used to do that when windows 7 fist came out but it was only for a short time period a few yrs ago I tried to activate windows 7 from Vista but when it went to download 7 it said it was that it was no longer valid

@@alfonsojon1997 since she when?
I had win 7 for years until I got to win 10
And my upgrade was win XP to win 7 there was an official update for it
And I am sure it still exists on the Microsoft webpage

Is there are hardware configuration that works with both XP and 11, given that they are about 20 years apart?<br>Even with a virtual machine, you are going to have to change the hardware configuration, at the very least from BIOS to UEFI, and that would probably invalidate the key.

Is there are hardware configuration that works with both XP and 11, given that they are about 20 years apart?
Even with a virtual machine, you are going to have to change the hardware configuration, at the very least from BIOS to UEFI, and that would probably invalidate the key.

@@katrinabryce well for my testing I used a Dell latitude D620 with a windows 11 legacy boot patch

@@katrinabryce hardware as follows
CPU: Core 2 Duo T5600
GPU: Intel GMA 950
RAM: 4GB DDR2 667mhz
Storage: 250GB SSD

Prove it. Pretty sure you can't...?

There may have been "upgrade" versions of Windows 7 that you could buy, which you could install over the top of prior installs of XP or Vista, or you could enter the XP key into the "Upgrade" installer, to verify you had a prior valid license for something that qualified for the "upgrade" install.

But I don't think you could just "use an XP license" to "install 7" straight out? Pretty sure you either needed to get the "upgrade" disc/installer and enter a valid earlier key or upgrade over an existing install, or else get the full Win7 installer which requires a Win7 key? IIRC...?

But presumably then the "upgraded" Win7 would have a Win7 key as well (only using the XP key to validate a prior license that allowed a cheaper "upgrade" to Win7 license/install). So, you'd still be "upgrading" a Win7 key or its associated hardware to a Win10 Digital license associated with that hardware and/or a Microsoft account, depending. So, you'd still have to have the intermediate Win7 install/license in order to get up to to 10. Yeah?

Prove it. Pretty sure you can't...?

There may have been "upgrade" versions of Windows 7 that you could buy, which you could install over the top of prior installs of XP or Vista, or you could enter the XP key into the "Upgrade" installer, to verify you had a prior valid license for something that qualified for the "upgrade" install.

But I don't *think* you could just "use an XP license" to "install 7" straight out? Pretty sure you either needed to get the "upgrade" disc/installer and enter a valid earlier key or upgrade over an existing install, or else get the full Win7 installer which requires a Win7 key? IIRC...?

But presumably then the "upgraded" Win7 would have a Win7 key as well (only using the XP key to validate a prior license that allowed a cheaper "upgrade" to Win7 license/install). So, you'd still be "upgrading" a Win7 key or its associated hardware to a Win10 Digital license associated with that hardware and/or a Microsoft account, depending. So, you'd still have to have the intermediate Win7 install/license in order to get up to to 10. Yeah?


There was a time when Microsoft only allowed users to downgrade to a maximum of 2 previous versions of Windows.  Back when Vista first came out, unsurprisingly, most users wanted XP on their machines and this could be done, easily.  The same applied to Windows 7, for those who still wanted XP.  When Windows 8 came out, the oldest version that could be downgraded to was Vista, but most chose 7 instead.  They relaxed that stipulation when 8.1 came out, it would seem, and have been allowing users to upgrade to newer versions ever since.

Vista is the best Windows version of all time. its sad to see that program support  for it is going away. not too sad for Windows 7

Yup XP and 7 were the two best ones ime. Vista and 8 were horrible..😮


I've activated Win10 installs with Win7 keys plenty of times, so I'm not surprised that it works for 11 as well.  After all, 10 was offered as a free upgrade from 7 and 11 is offered as a free upgrade from 10, so if you had a Win7 machine that you free-upgraded to 10, and now it somehow magically passed hardware validation for 11... well it makes sense to me that it works from a key perspective since the upgrade path exists - even though I doubt any PC was ever sold with Win7 that actually has new enough hardware to pass the upgrade validation for 11.  There are still ways to do it though, of course.

It's very possible someone with a retail copy of Windows 7 built a PC back in the day and then gradually upgraded their hardware throughout the years while reactivating Windows and moving onto the next edition.


The fact that the key is censored with “Subscribe or I’ll bite you” 😂


So here 's my story.
I upgraded to vista from XP then to 7 and it kept the product key. then to 8, 8.1, and even WIndows10 I used the same key despite all the upgrade I have done is those times.
and I'm actually using windows 11 with same key as XP because it was registered as key of WIndows7,8,8.1, and 10's key at some point, so it really worked.
So I never paid for Windows after XP lol

added I forgot to mention vista, and I used phone activation glitch thing which should have changed my key but it stayed the same somehow. so I don't think this is re-doable now because MS patched the glitch soon (it came back on early stage of Win10 when you could activate WIndows by just making a call completely free)

So here 's my story.
I upgraded to vista from XP then to 7 and it kept the product key. then to 8, 8.1, and even WIndows10 I used the same key despite all the upgrade I have done is those times.
and I'm actually using windows 11 with same key as XP because it was registered as key of WIndows7,8,8.1, and 10's key at some point, so it really worked.
So I never paid for Windows after XP lol

*added* I forgot to mention vista, and I used phone activation glitch thing which should have changed my key but it stayed the same somehow. so I don't think this is re-doable now because MS patched the glitch soon (it came back on early stage of Win10 when you could activate WIndows by just making a call completely free)

Wait, how do you upgraded from Windows XP to Windows 7?

How did you get the Windows 7 Upgrade for free?  Did you download ISO file to bypass paying for it?

Wrong

You can't upgrade from XP to 11.

Even if you go

XP - Vista - 7 - 8 - 8.1 - 10

The Windows 10 install will still be 32bit

And Windows 11 is 64bit only

@@Rodrigo-ks6oc If you link your key to a Microsoft Account, you can still use that key in a different PC. Just sign in with a Microsoft Account on Win 8.1 (ig) or 10 then just log in with the same account on a new PC that supports Win 11. Simple bro.

@@Rodrigo-ks6oc You can upgrade from (technically it does a fresh install) from XP 32 bit to Vista Ultimate 64 bit.  I did that in the past.  KMS servers are easier to do this anyway.

@@Rodrigo-ks6oc Windows XP has a 64-bit Version, maybe it was that version

@@nugget9948 nope

You CAN'T do an in-place upgrade from XP x64 to Vista x64.

@@probablyanon having a 3rd gen Intel CPU or an AMD FX

@@Rodrigo-ks6oc he prob got a new pc when 8 or 10 and that went to 11

Hey we need further information? How did you keep the same key over different motherboards?

@@Rodrigo-ks6oc there's xp x64 professional

@@DanTDMJace as i said

You CAN'T upgrade from XP x64 to Vista x64.

I think at the 7 to 8 stage M$ servers just know that Windows is confirmed "Activated" and thus doesn't require knowing the key.

@@Rodrigo-ks6oc MS has in past program to upgrade from XP to 7.<br>If you upgrade from 32 bit version of Win7 to 32bit version of Win10, you can then delete your 32bit Win and install 64bit version with same key.

@@Rodrigo-ks6oc MS has in past program to upgrade from XP to 7.
If you upgrade from 32 bit version of Win7 to 32bit version of Win10, you can then delete your 32bit Win and install 64bit version with same key.

@@tallpaul9475 I used the phone-activation thing which technically should have changed the key but somehow it didn't, I don't know why but I still use the same key....

@@koopatroopa6882 I used the phone-activation thing which technically should have changed the key but somehow it didn't, I don't know why but I still use the same key....

@@Rodrigo-ks6oc I used the phone-activation thing which technically should have changed the key but somehow it didn't, I don't know why but I still use the same key....<br>and for Win10 32 bit to 64bit, I just re-installed it then MS recognized my Hardware which activated itself. After many many parts swap, it still recognize my machine as same one from Win10.

@@Rodrigo-ks6oc I used the phone-activation thing which technically should have changed the key but somehow it didn't, I don't know why but I still use the same key....
and for Win10 32 bit to 64bit, I just re-installed it then MS recognized my Hardware which activated itself. After many many parts swap, it still recognize my machine as same one from Win10.

@@koopatroopa6882 forgot to mentio VIsta

@@Rodrigo-ks6oc is correct.  You cannot do an in-place upgrade from XP x64 to Vista x64.  The biggest reason why this doesn't work is because XP x64 is actually Windows Server 2003 x64 with the server stuff stripped out of it.  So Vista's upgrader thinks that you're trying to upgrade from Windows Server to Windows Client, which is never allowed.

XP x86 (32-bit) and XP x64 also have two different sets of updates.

(In fact, XP x64's highest Service Pack is 2, unlike XP x86 which is 3).

@@Rodrigo-ks6oc bitness doesn't matter. if you upgrade your 32-bit OS, you also get the license for 64-bit. if you grab the key you have out of your 32-bit OS, and use it to reinstall a 64-bit one, it will work.

@@RaveCat3000 First - Bitness doesn’t exist, i think you meant “architecture”

2nd - I know that, you don't need to bring that up..

Third - the upgrade path OP meant, would be impossible, that’s MY point.

@@Rodrigo-ks6oc tho you could go from server 2003 x64 to 11

@@real2w10 You can't..

2K3 is one of the server versions.. you can't upgrade from Windows Server to Windows Client.

@@RaveCat3000 my Vista ultimate edition upgrade came with two installation discs, one 32 bit with a key and one 64 bit with a different key.  I remember it didn't exclusively use a single key for both.

@@tallpaul9475 Maybe true for Vista, but as of Windows 7, I'm pretty sure this doesn't apply. Upgrading from Vista 32-bit to 7 32-bit probably gave you a license for 64-bit versions too.

@@probablyanon Anything from late 2000s that use Core 2 or some Pentium 4 (not recommended) would work, and for 11, you would have to do workaround with TPM.

@@Rodrigo-ks6oc There is a 64bit XP. But I don't think it supports UEFI boot, that came with a Vista Service Pack, and as far as I'm aware 11 is UEFI only. You could maybe change your BIOS settings, but would that invalidate the product key in the same was as pulling out the hard drive and putting it in a new computer?

@@katrinabryce You can't upgrade from XP 64-bit to Vista..

You can convert a Windows 10 install to UEFI..

@@Rodrigo-ks6oc windows xp can also be 64x

@@BlindingNebula i know

But as I said, IT CANNOT be upgraded to Vista, because it’s actually Windows Server 2003 disguised as XP


Hey Enderman, I have used a windows 8 pro key on windows 11 and it works just fine. I believe it because when they were forcing people to update to windows 10 with annoying popups. they added code to windows 10 to look at 7/8 product key databases. They either did not care to change this later and kept in their code or just did it so people would keep updating.

also, with Windows XP/98 keys windows 11 could maybe of parsed the 98 keys threw something maybe a character was not supposed to be in it. Windows XP system may have been very similar to windows 11. so, the characters were not banned so it parsed it over to a key database probably stored at Microsoft somewhere.

Yes, valid 7, 8, 8.1 keys should all work for 10+ installs, since Win10 pushed "free upgrades" for all OSes back to Win7 (including Win8/8.1). Basically, anything with a valid Win7/8/8.1 key would "validate"/"activate." Which is why you can still activate Windows 10 when installing via Media Creation Tool from a machine with Win7/8/8.1 via in in-place upgrade. After which point it links the machine hardware [and Microsoft account, if any] to the Win10 Digital License, and it will allow you to reinstall Win10 on that machine clean, and just say "I don't have a product key," and the activation server will still recognize the hardware and validate/activate it, since it was already activated/validated & associated with that hardware at least once previously.


windows: what's your childhood nickname? enderman: my childhood nickname is 3


A lot of people don't understand the Windows licencing model.  That $50 eBay version is probably a leaked volume licence copy that is sold as a bootleg version.  Windows has retail licencing, OEM and volume including MAK (multiple activation key) and KMS (key management services) and others I can't recall right now.  Most of these are not interchangeable.  For instance, just the other day I loaded a Win 10 Pro for a client using one of my volume licence copies as it was quicker to install from thumb drive.  The client had an OEM (genuine) Win 10 Pro licence card and DVD but her single use OEM key wouldn't activate my volume licence install.  Installing the version that came on the DVD did however work of course.
In the volume licence world there are Windows versions from Microsoft's volume licence web portal including Windows N, Windows KN (uses the KMS licence) and others.  It really is a complex model that I still don't fully understand decades later.
I work with many Government funded organisations and they typically all use a form a multiple activations from a single key.  It is often these types of licences that end up on the black market as a single key can be used hundreds or even thousands of times.  Often Microsoft will blacklist a leaked key and your cheap online copy you purchased won't subsequently activate.  This is why the vendor will often just provide another key as they probably have many themselves.
Interesting video nonetheless.

ive always made it a habit to jot down the key, os, and version whenever i see it on a machine in a junkpile... very handy to have.


I just want to acknowledge that you said, "rate the video," and not "leave a like." As I understand, dislikes aren't entirely negative in terms of engagement and I appreciate that you recognize that. I found this video interesting, especially since you explored multiple levels of activation keys. Personally, this is useful because I <i>may</i> be able to use my OG Win7 Home Premium key to activate a Win11 instance should I need to drastically upgrade my system. In any case, thanks for the video!

I just want to acknowledge that you said, "rate the video," and not "leave a like." As I understand, dislikes aren't entirely negative in terms of engagement and I appreciate that you recognize that. I found this video interesting, especially since you explored multiple levels of activation keys. Personally, this is useful because I _may_ be able to use my OG Win7 Home Premium key to activate a Win11 instance should I need to drastically upgrade my system. In any case, thanks for the video!

?

Does anyone remember the YT rating system?

I admit fully that it sounds extremely dated to say "Rate" in a video since YouTube replaced the starred rating system with the current (albeit inclusive of the dislike count) like/dislike system many eons ago in the far simpler times of September 2009, where a viewer's rating submission of less than or equal to three stars was converted to a dislike and the same of equal to or greater than three stars was converted to a like.  I dare say that YouTube probably even included a dislike count on comments that long ago.

Rating videos used to be a thing, years ago. Youtube had a star rating system

l just want to acknowledge that you said, "rate the video," and not "leave a like." As l understand, dislikes aren't entirely negative in terms of engagememt and l appreciate that you recognize that. l found this video interesting, especially since you explored multiple levels of activation keys. Personally, this is useful because l may be able to use my OG Win7 Home Premium key to activate a Win11 instance should l need to drastically upgrade my system. ln any case, thanks for the video!

@@scratchpad7954 Your two statements conflict, with your logic, 3.0 stars would be converted into a like and a dislike at the same time


I found a Toshiba laptop on a trashcan, and it still got a Windows 7 OEM license sticker, with a perfectly readable product key. As it ran sluggish when I first managed to boot it, eventually I installed Windows 10 on it. Used the product key from that sticker on a fresh install, and although it took a bit or time to grab it, it finally activated without any hassles!!! Still running like a champ one year later!!!


I've been in the recycling service for a few years now and have gathered a collection of W7 pro keys from recycled computers that I give away or use on personal machines, I still remember finding out that you could use them to activate W10. The people that I give them to are always skeptical on weather or not it will work but always thank me when they realize that it did work, saving them $200 or if you want to go really cheap you can get retail single use keys for as low as $6

Cool thing called data mining from cheap keys:

Isn’t it interesting that people just decide to toss away their old PC hardware without even thinking once that the software keys are reusable.

By the way, would you lend me one for free... 😘


Wait... does that mean i can activate 7 with a 11 key?!

Yes. Even with Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 keys.

I don't think you can activate Windows 7 with Windows 11 key. However, you can try with one from e-bay, but the chances are that sellers are selling old keys (presumably from business laptops/rigs) that work with any system newer than the one that was installed on that specific rig.

No this is the True 😅😊 Aber du kannst Windows 11 mit einen einem Windows 7 key aktivirn

Does that mean when windows 12 activates i can activate windows 7 with a windows 12 product key ?

@@HenPlayer1 my personal opinion would be because i think windows 8, 10, 11 and most likely 12 seem to somewhat based off windows 7. Like the recovery menus are windows 7 themed in terms of font and the overall theme when you boot into advanced startup and also like when something gets corrupt or whatever, newer windows versions typically revert to the windows 7 theme when stuff goes wrong like when people delete crucial files on VMs, you see it rolls back the theme. So maybe the newer windows versions are based off windows 7 so that could be why windows 7 keys are compatible but vista isnt. This is just my theory so dont quote me, im most likely wrong lmao but thought id share my opinion :)

@@calebcanham8709 pretty much all mail versions of windows build on the previous version :)

Apparently, not anymore 😔 (heard that from Enderman)

If you activate one windows version while logged into your ms Account, No matter what, A digital key will be with your account.

 Chances are that in Windows 7 or Lower it might not work.

i tried activating windows 7 professional with my windows 11 pro key from my laptop and it worked!

@Justlikepopmusic not anymore, just like those towers

@@scpnoobersdid that too in a vm a few months ago

@@velja1312 he probably has a windows 7 device, all he’d need is the windows 11 key which is not hard to find

@@calebcanham8709no I tried it and it didn't work, but 10 can be upgraded to 11

But Windows 7 is basically Vista with more development time.. makes me wonder why a Vista key wouldn't work.


You and Michael MJD are my favorite tech channels ❤🧡💛💚💙💜


Just another tip: if you set up a local account <i>without</i> a password, and add a password later through Settings instead, it won't force you to set the recovery questions.

Just another tip: if you set up a local account _without_ a password, and add a password later through Settings instead, it won't force you to set the recovery questions.


Truly apprecating you man, you are spending $$$$ for getting the original boxes for showing us good content.<br>I really want these xp,win7 boxes too, so expensive..

Truly apprecating you man, you are spending $$$$ for getting the original boxes for showing us good content.
I really want these xp,win7 boxes too, so expensive..


Finally I got windows from keyr (Make sure to include the dot (.) between "keyr" and "org")

I like some of the transitions, but sometimes they're a bit too much and are seemingly random. Since we use these persistent elements that transition across pages to indicate some kind of relationship between the previous and the next states, some of your transitions confuse me because I can't immediately see what the relationship is.

For example  2:23 of the selectable tiles (which weren't selected) transition into being two switches... does that mean anything? are they related in some way? I see this as random and a bad use of the design language. However, at 1:14 I like the transition from switches to the ticks on a paper, that makes sense to me. Epic presentation tho


A lot of you guys might know, W7 and W8 keys are the reason why HWID activation works. Technically they use a bug in Microsoft system, and if Microsoft fixes that, all of the W7 and W8 keys are gone.<br>Because M$ already promised that W7 and W8 keys will work on W10 as free upgrade, they probably won't fix that bug, so, free windows activation for people who know about this.

A lot of you guys might know, W7 and W8 keys are the reason why HWID activation works. Technically they use a bug in Microsoft system, and if Microsoft fixes that, all of the W7 and W8 keys are gone.
Because M$ already promised that W7 and W8 keys will work on W10 as free upgrade, they probably won't fix that bug, so, free windows activation for people who know about this.


“Can you activate Windows 11 with a Windows XP Key?”<br>Me: “Wait, that’s illegal.”

“Can you activate Windows 11 with a Windows XP Key?”
Me: “Wait, that’s illegal.”


Try windows vista because it is basically windows 7


Enderman's videos are just getting better and better

definitely. Very talented guy and the presentation is getting better and better.


In some instances, you can active windows while you're offline, try that with a Windows XP product key.

Actually he can't, check my reply in my comment, cause now I can't be bothered to type the full explanation, but I'll only say this, if he bought the Windows embedded posready 2009 key and applied it on windows 11 iot, it would most likely, despite the edition, as long as it's Windows 11 iot, cause that is the embedded version of windows 11.


I have my Windows 10 activated with my old Windows 7 key I got for free by my University on launch day (of Win 7). I used  Win 7 on a 2008 PC until end of support, when that PC's motherboard broke. So I built a completely new, modern one in May 2020, installed Win 10, input my old Win 7 key and it still works perfectly. It didn't let me activate another copy of Win 7 on a different PC but with Win 10 it worked. So you most probably can still activate Win 7 with that key (assuming activation servers are working) but not Win 10/11.

I activated a virtual win xp a couple of years ago. Had a real key so why not?

Online activation was down but a phone activation worked great!


I used a 15year old CD key I had laying around from a late 2000s HP to activate my windows 11 on my Steam Deck.

why would you put windows on a steam deck. keep it on SteamOS Linux

@@shellrate ok but why. Most games i can think of run just fine and windows has so many problems on the deck. driver issues and stuff. valve is making that better but what's the point. What are you getting out of installing Windows, a spyware-ridden slow-ass peice of absolute garbage. even ME was better than 11

@@clouds661 windows has better battery management, simple as that

@@clouds661 because I break Linux just by looking at it.


I already knew the Win7 key would work, it only makes sense since when Win10 first came out you were able to directly upgrade to 10 for free. Plus, I've done this already long ago with Win10 on a few systems and I would have suspected 11 worked if 10 did.


I truly believe it worked because that key was never used in any system and has been openly available . It might have worked on a windows 10 system as well as a first time ever used key. But this has been great to see .


I'm really really happy you swapped from just having music, to doing a voice-over. Your english is great, so much better than other ESL youtubers. Thank you so much, I can finally listen to these hella interesting videos while I work out

Couldn't agree more. Especially for a Russian person his English is excellent.


The knife with he cut the box for Windows 7 is... Interesting

yeah it looks wacky, for example it looks like the top of an S but reversed.


that is REALLY interesting as you can find tons of windows 7 keys on the internet just lying around... even upgrading from home to pro with an ultimate key i found in a 1 minute google search worked in my vm? wtf


1:38 “I love being responsible” saved you like 20 minutes you’re welcome


I am still using windows 10 with the windows 7 key I purchased over a decade ago! I am on my third PC since that time. I actually felt pressured to switch to windows 10 pretty early because I was worried I wouldn't be able to use my windows 7 key for a windows 10 install in the future eventually. I liked windows 7 and I would have stuck up to end of life if I knew they would just keep that free upgrade deal going indefinitely!


8:55 I thought exactly that you explained about the Windows 11 activation with a Windows 7 product key, there´s a video from NTDEV channel making an upgrade from windows 7 to 11 directly (modifing the ISO) , keeping everything (i thought, maybe this include the windows license), i made this experiment on a virtual machine with a activated copy of windows 7 to upgrade to 11 and yep, it works, i kept all and my activation of windows, and this applies for Windows 8/8.1, too. So yes, it´s not a sorprise, we can activate windows 10 or 11 using a windows 7 or 8 product key. Interesting video and experiment.👍🏼


FYI No that key won't get used up, microsoft just grants you a second digital license against that key on your microsoft account. I activated a Windows 10 copy with a Windows 8.1 key for my PC in 2018 (Upgraded it to 10). Later in 2020 I installed Windows 8.1 again in a seperate parition, and yes the original key worked. Now I have two OSes, windows 8.1 an 10 on a same PC using the same product key, and haven't recieved any activation failed errors.

The activation keys are tied to your hardware (more specifically your motherboard) and not the Windows version (7/8/10/11). So, as long as you're running the same hardware, the key will work.


If you use your win7 key to activate win 10 or 11, yes, you can activate win7.
With Win 7 key you can activate Win 8, 8.1, 10, 11, no matter it was OEM or Box version. Also you can activate new win version with Retail keys.
One note - don't use same key on different win/PCs at one time.
Win 7-11 has same activation service method.

THe one thing that doesn't seem to work is 7 Upgrade keys. I once had a crappy laptop with a Vista key and a 7 Upgrade key stuck to the bottom and neither would work on Windows 10. OEM keys work for activating Win 10 but I haven't managed to download anything from Microsoft using one of them.


I own a valid windows 8 Pro retail key. Yes you can activate windows 11 with it.

I believe it still works because since Windows 10 can be activated with a 7, 8 and 8.1 key. Many less reputable market places started to sell 7, 8 and 8.1 keys as Windows 10 keys. I'd wager it would likely not work with Vista or any older versions of Windows.


You can re-use a Windows product key (Or alteast I think so.), I have a photo of my laptop's Windows 10 product key, and I sometimes use it for my VM Windows 10 setups. May not work for earlier versions, depends.


@1:16 : "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana
Thanks for this master-easter egg-piece Dude !!
@5:24 "Subscribe or I'll bite you". > Bite me and then I will subscribe. Will you dare?


Once switched to linux, we will never see windows back again

Nah, I was forced to try Linux once and I just installed windows back as soon as I could

Only when Linux becomes remotely average user friendly instead of actively user hostile.<br>You got more chance of half the world suddenly deciding to speak nothing but latin, i.e. probably never.

Only when Linux becomes remotely average user friendly instead of actively user hostile.
You got more chance of half the world suddenly deciding to speak nothing but latin, i.e. probably never.

@@ErraticPT That will never happen. Even when Unix was a commercial product the people that used it were actively hostile to users.


That's great to know! I knew it would work since Microsoft wants its users to migrate to Windows 10 then how you mentioned they made the same with Windows 11!


I really liked this video. This just shows us that windows is never changes, it's just have a one kernel and every 5 years they are changing the design 💀. But this is really groudbreaking! I love it. Keep going with these videos, they are amazing!

That goes for every os. No one gonna write a code from scratch just for other version. Everything is just an updated version.


It’s nice to know that if you buy a windows version and don’t use it. Or can’t afford the newest version that you can basically use that key eventually.

Imagine if someone bought windows 8 and then didn’t use it because of some reason. Now years later their key still works but on windows 11. That would be a hella good look to them.

It honestly makes windows look more like they care about customers than intended lmao


"You need to activate Windows before you can personalize OUR computer" 😂😂😂
What Micro$oft would also tell you ^^

"You need to activate Windows before you can personalize *OUR* computer" 😂😂😂
What Micro$oft would also tell you ^^


A good way to get product keys: Buying older pre-built computers and trying the keys on their stickers


What bout downloading earlier builds of windows so you can upgrade from an earlier windows system and slowly make way up to windows 11 ?


Not surprised Windows 7 works. I had a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate, that I upgraded to 10 in 2015, and just updated to 11. Never had to activate it once the update was complete.


What about Vista? Can you use a Windows Vista key to activate Windows 10/11?


Me in estonia:Enderman made a video 3 mins ago

Me seeing comments from people typed 16 mins ago: :(
My brain has ran into a problem and needs to restart


What about Windows Vista? Would you be able to activate 11 with a Vista key?


Windows 98 keys will not work. Because it's Windows 9x

Window 7 until Windows 10 Keys will work because they are Windows NT

Edit : Windows XP Fails because it's not a part of the Windows Vsta ERA. Modern Windows is All based in Windows Vista and even if they jumped to NT 10.0, Windows 10 and 11 are just Vista with features

Dude, this is 100% fake, Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 Beta have the same major kernal, but not the same minor kernal, service pack, updates, and branch, stop spreading false info, Windows 10 use 6.3 kernal in some areas, but is overall 10.0.

@@MSWinNT I see that Windows 7's is 6.1,  Windows 8 being 6.2, Windows 8.1 being 6.3 and Windows 10 being 10.0. Starting Windows 11 it still use 10.0. however some areas still bear 6.3 and most is 10.0

I can't be bothered to tell the reason why those keys work, just go to my comment, check my new reply to understand it, but I will tell you this, take my word for it, regular xp keys  won't work, but embedded would work, check why on my reply in my comment.


It really shouldn't be a surprise that 7 keys work. I upgraded from 7 Home Premium to 10 just last year and 10 kept 7's activation key in place with no fuss. It tossed me onto 10 Home and I went on with my day.


Could the reason why the XP key failed is because of it being a 32 bit version whereas Windows 11 would be expecting a valid 64 bit version key? I would be interested in seeing a follow up if the same were to happen with XP x64 edition (and/or Server 2003) as well as maybe Vista/Server 2008 x64 editions.

both 32 and 64 came on the disk for XP PRO. No joy there either.

The reason the XP key didn't work is because it was a key from an OS prior to Windows 7. Period. Vista [presumably] also would not have worked.

When Win10 was released, Win7, 8, 8,1 were all allowed to be upgraded to Win10 for free. Meaning all the retail home/pro keys [and presumably OEM keys, or whatnot] made for those OSes were basically "grandfathered in" to the activation process on the activation server, and would "validate" and would then generate an associated Win10 Digital License, associated with that computer's hardware (and Microsoft Account, if one was active / logged in and associated with it).

Vista, XP, Me, 98Se, 98, 95a/b were never part of the "free upgrade" program. So their license keys, presumably were "grandfathered in" on the activation server. Hence, they wouldn't validate. If he'd used a Vista disc, and it failed to validate, well, that'd pretty much be your proof. XP/Vista, no. 7/8/8.1, yes.

When the "free upgrade" period ended, Microsoft *should have* turned off the ability to activate using old keys ... but they didn't. So, you've basically always been able to use the media creation tool to either do an in-place upgrade on a Win7/8/8.1 machine, or else a clean install and then enter the valid Win7/8/8.1 key post-clean-install, and validation would simply work. Had they wanted to they could have recoded the activation server to kick back with an error "free upgrade period has ended" when trying to validate a machine / key that hadn't been upgraded during the "free" period. But they apparently never did. So, even though you're technically "not supposed to be able to," Microsoft never really enforced the "end" of the "free upgrade" program on the activation server side.

IMO, it was low-key intentional to ignore people who took advantage, 'cause it got them off older less secure machines and onto the new Windows OS, Windows Update treadmill, and into the Microsoft Store ecosystem, where they could potentially sell people software-as-a-service and make more money. So, it really makes sense to just ignore the putative "piracy" as a "loss leader" and get them into the updated ecosystem, buying new software, hardware that's compatible with it [making hardware vendors happy], etc.

Could they go back and sue 1/10th of their Win10 install base for "piracy"? Yeah, probably. Would they ever recover from the bad press? Maybe, maybe not... IMO, the good [read: potential profits] of leaving it de facto "free" and not pursuing action against folks who picked up "free upgrades" in violation of the EULA / TOS, outweighs any negatives of missing a "sale" of the OS...

The reason the XP key didn't work is because it was a key from an OS prior to Windows 7. Period. Vista [presumably] also would not have worked.

When Win10 was released, Win7, 8, 8,1 were all allowed to be upgraded to Win10 for free. Meaning all the retail home/pro keys [and presumably OEM keys, or whatnot] made for those OSes were basically "grandfathered in" to the activation process on the activation server, and would "validate" and would then generate an associated Win10 Digital License, associated with that computer's hardware (and Microsoft Account, if one was active / logged in and associated with it).

Vista, XP, Me, 98Se, 98, 95a/b were never part of the "free upgrade" program. So their license keys, presumably were "grandfathered in" on the activation server. Hence, they wouldn't validate. If he'd used a Vista disc, and it failed to validate, well, that'd pretty much be your proof. XP/Vista, no. 7/8/8.1, yes.

When the "free upgrade" period ended, Microsoft **should have** turned off the ability to activate using old keys ... but they didn't. So, you've basically always been able to use the media creation tool to either do an in-place upgrade on a Win7/8/8.1 machine, or else a clean install and then enter the valid Win7/8/8.1 key post-clean-install, and validation would simply work. Had they wanted to they could have recoded the activation server to kick back with an error "free upgrade period has ended" when trying to validate a machine / key that hadn't been upgraded during the "free" period. But they apparently never did. So, even though you're technically "not supposed to be able to," Microsoft never really enforced the "end" of the "free upgrade" program on the activation server side.

IMO, it was low-key intentional to ignore people who took advantage, 'cause it got them off older less secure machines and onto the new Windows OS, Windows Update treadmill, and into the Microsoft Store ecosystem, where they could potentially sell people software-as-a-service and make more money. So, it really makes sense to just ignore the putative "piracy" as a "loss leader" and get them into the updated ecosystem, buying new software, hardware that's compatible with it [making hardware vendors happy], etc.

Could they go back and sue 1/10th of their Win10 install base for "piracy"? Yeah, probably. Would they ever recover from the bad press? Maybe, maybe not... IMO, the good [read: potential profits] of leaving it de facto "free" and not pursuing action against folks who picked up "free upgrades" in violation of the EULA / TOS, outweighs any negatives of missing a "sale" of the OS...


What if you activate a windows 98 then upgrade to xp then to 7-8-8.1-10 and 11?

Nope. They only added carring over from 7.


Ah yes, i also had "3" as my childhood nickname


you can use use xp key to activate windows 7 or vista then  upgrade to windows 8 /10 then 11? i already know you can upgrade  from win3.1 up to windows 7  but can it actually go  up to windows 11? That i'm not sure but it would be nice to try  and see .

unfortunaltey, windows 10 and onwards doesn't like the "Programs and users" folder that is made.


The laptop monitor blitz when you throw the Windows 7 packaging lmao


Definitely a great video But I don't think That upgrading every computer To even Windows 10 Even though Windows 10 is good It's a great idea I think You should always Think about your hardware And how powerful it is And you should always think about it What you want to do with your hardware Some operating systems work better than others I think it's all Dependent On  What works for you And what works for your hardware


эндер, когда видос на русском языке?, я конечно все и так понимаю на английском , но хотелось бы русскоязычное видео или отдельный русскоязычный канал для тех, кто английский не понимает. ролики у тебя познавательные и интересные, иногда я даже новое узнаю


1:42 7 keys work on 10! Used a dell oem 7 pro key on about 5 different devices, all activated fine

9:11 well I didn’t know that it works on 11!


It makes sense to me for it to only work for Windows 7 and up, since Windows 10 was a free upgrade for those versions, and Windows 11 was a free update for Windows 10. But there was no free update to Windows 7 from XP or to XP from 98.

As for why the Windows XP key took longer: Windows XP was the first version of Windows to actually use Windows Activation. (Windows 98 just had a product key, which would work on any copy.) So maybe it's still ultimately the same activation system.

Back then it would have been good to instantly reject the old public Windows keys. So maybe they are included in a local blacklist. Or maybe they changed the checksum that would verify it wasn't a mistyped key.

Hence the XP key made it past the initial check, and had to wait on the servers to check it.


I started to use win 7 about a year before it was released. Sure. It was buggy during the beta periods but better than vista :)

Then, when it got released I got an RTM key from work. Last time I used it was a few years ago and then for installing win 7 on an old laptop. Never struck me that I could use it for win 10.

I got a few win 10 keys for a customers way back when it was new. One was never used so I kept it (with their permission). Still works fine. But maybe I should try the old win 7 RTM key next time :)


one bizarre way i could think to activate Windows 11 pro would be with the Windows 8 Media center pack.
initially Windows 8 didn't come with Windows media center anymore, but they sold separate activation keys for people with Windows 8.
this key on it's own would be enough to activate Windows 10 or 11 pro versions.


Microsoft: It's an older code sir, but it checks out


Also to get a windows 11 Account on the Pro version you can select "Setup for an Organisation" and then "I'd like to join a Domain" and then it will let u create a local account


I found that on Windows 10 you can personalize without activating if you are not connected to the internet and you do it early enough.  Then once it checks to make you activate, your changes are locked in until you activate.  If it is an embedded license you will just get to customize any time you want.  It is a good way to lock in your own wallpaper and personalizations if you get people messing with your settings and don't like that.  The only real reason not to activate is if you are only testing something.  If you were like Linus and tested a lot of hardware it would get expensive fast to activate Windows for each one!!  That is especially true when you consider that most of those are temporary installs for the purposes of testing and discussing some oddball device that no one has ever seen or been able to justify the cost of.


I haven't watched your videos in a while, now that I'm back I realize you talk in your videos, AMAZING!<br>For some reason that weird youtube thing unsubbed me but idgaf and I re subbed :D

I haven't watched your videos in a while, now that I'm back I realize you talk in your videos, AMAZING!
For some reason that weird youtube thing unsubbed me but idgaf and I re subbed :D


Enderman has 1000000000000000 IQ + he’s cool + we’re both smart


saw this video and started digging around in my software box and found - windows 7 home premium 32/64 retail from microsoft dated 02/28/2011, originaly installed on my hpxw 4300 workstation. activation key worked for me, thank you.


"Oi, Enderman"
"?"
"Which activation keys can I use for Win11?"
"Yes"


you can also create an offline account if you choose work and school account, where you may be able to join a domain instead and create that offline user


I would have liked to see if Windows Vista activated Win11. Though I suspect not.

If you'll recall, Windows 10 upgrades were allowed for free from Win7, and Win 8, so presumably, Windows can parse those keys and tie them back to the OS they were originally issued for and the activation server continues to "validate," since those OSes were originally on the "green light" list when Win10 was originally released and pushed as an upgrade. It's the same reason you can still upgrade from a Win7 machine to Win10 using an in-place upgrade with the media creation tool, etc.

I suspect that if you tried a Vista key, it would fail, since Vista was not allowed as an upgrade path to Win10 for free, even if many of the machines it was installed on could also run Win7 and may have later been loaded with it by cheap manufacturers using older hardware reissued with the newer OS. Anyway, that would have been an interesting test, which I suspect would have failed, despite Win7 basically being a "refresh"/"fix" of Vista (fixing many of the things people hated about Vista, such as intrusive widgets, etc.), just as 8.1 was a refresh of Win8, and Win10 was basically built on top of Win 8 with a bunch of feature updates, additions, fixed, etc. (fixing many of the things people hated about 8/8.1, e.g., the default "Metro" tablet-style interface, which everyone detested on regular desktops, which were not tablets).

I would have liked to see if Windows Vista activated Win11. Though I suspect not.

If you'll recall, Windows 10 upgrades were allowed for free from Win7, and Win 8, so presumably, Windows can parse those keys and tie them back to the OS they were originally issued for and the activation server continues to "validate," since those OSes were originally on the "green light" list when Win10 was originally released and pushed as an upgrade. It's the same reason you can still upgrade from a Win7 machine to Win10 using an in-place upgrade with the media creation tool, etc.

I suspect that if you tried a Vista key, it would fail, since Vista was not allowed as an upgrade path to Win10 for free, even if many of the machines it was installed on could also run Win7 and may have later been loaded with it by cheap manufacturers using older hardware reissued with the newer OS. Anyway, that would have been an interesting test, which I suspect would have failed, despite Win7 basically being a "refresh"/"fix" of Vista (fixing many of the things people hated about Vista, such as intrusive widgets, etc.), just as 8.1 was a refresh of Win8, and Win10 was basically built on top of Win 8 with a bunch of feature updates, additions, fixed, etc. (fixing many of the things people hated about 8/8.1, e.g., the default "Metro" tablet-style interface, which everyone detested on regular desktops, which were *not* tablets).


Oh God, Enderman's activation code is "Subscribe or I will bite you".


Microsoft : what is your childhood nickname?<br>Andrew: 3

Microsoft : what is your childhood nickname?
Andrew: 3


3:36
Setup: What was your first pet's name?
Enderman: 1

3:36
Setup: What was your first pet's name?
Enderman: *1*


OEM keys from manufactures for Windows 7 also activate on W10/W11 also as long as you use the key on system that has manufacture's motherboard.


All windows 7 keys work for win 10, but you need to use the key during the installation


I think why WinXP key take so long to confirm :

to classify what OS bit and what OS class first then what OS version..

WinXP has only Home and Professional edition.

WinXP 32bit key is not the same as WinXP 64bit key

Win 7: Home, Pro, Enterprise, Ultimate.
32/64bit

Win 10 : Home, Pro, Enterprise
32/64bit

Win 11 : Home, Pro, Enterprise
Only 64bit

If you install Win11 Pro using Win 7 Ultimate key

It degrade class, but it's okey.
Good work!


The "Subscribe or I'll bite you edit is soooo clean


I thought this was pretty common knowledge considering as you said Windows 11 uses Windows 10's activation so that would include all Windows 7 and newer keys.


I rate this video a thumb!  Glad MS allows us to use these older keys to "actiwate" Windows 10 and 11.  Just remember that a Home key will only activate Windows 10 or 11 Home.  To "actiwate" Pro you'll need a Pro or Ultimate key.  Now I want to go around "actiwating" my impression of Chekov from Star Trek TOS. 😁  Thanks for the vid!


1:38 "I love being responsible"

I spent like 5 minutes to figure out what was written there


This thing checks the product key while offline completely. Its a local process or algorithm it is checked against. Speaking on windows 10 install, which I did completely offline. Win7 key worked in Win10 fresh install like a charm.


ah yes pet named 1, city named " ", childhood nickname 3


事实上密钥是基于某种算法得出的排列，而不是毫无意义的随机组合，这也是为什么目前的永久激活可以做到生成正版密钥的原因，而在线激活的目的只是为了防止同一个密钥被反复在不同机器上进行激活。


Oh, and in my experience, using the Windows 7 key to activate Windows 10 doesn't actually prevent you from using it on Windows 7. Or, at least, it doesn't if that copy of Windows 7 was already activated.

I suspect this was so you could go back to Windows 7 if Windows 10 didn't work out.

And, if course, I would expect Windows 11 to work the same way.


Wow, I had no idea that you could activate one version of Windows with that of another, but cool to see that 7's can activate 11!

11's just Win10[.1] effectively, with a few facelift and under the hood updates... Windows 12 will basically be 10.2, or whatever. So, it makes sense that if Win10 would accept Win7/8/8.1 keys as upgrade [since Win10 was originally a "free" upgrade from those OSes], that Win11 would still validate much the same way and presumably accept the old license keys to get into the "Win10+" ecosystem. Granted Win11 has a few [now mostly circumventable] system hardware requirements that 10 didn't. But otherwise, the core is still much/mostly the same. So, it is what it is...

OK, @@MGmirkin, thanks.<br>Now it seems pretty silly that they skipped 9, doesn't it?

OK, @@MGmirkin, thanks.
Now it seems pretty silly that they skipped 9, doesn't it?


That one kid: <b>enters 'Subscribe or ill bite you'</b> "Mum! I think your pc is gone!"

That one kid: *enters 'Subscribe or ill bite you'* "Mum! I think your pc is gone!"


for the local account method, i use accessibility stuff to get to settings then go to internet settings and disconnect from the internet then go back. this worked on home

Does it work with Windows 11 version 22H2?

@@ThatRandomToast ive not tried it and most likely wont as i always upgrade and i dont have the setup


i love the asmr when you type the xp and up product keys lol


lol That “Subscribe or I'll bite you” made me laugh.


-can you activate windows 11 with a windows xp key?
-random bs
-yes


Microsoft be like: We have to do more Smart Work 😂😂


i used my windows 7 ultimate key for windows 11, worked fine. didnt really need to watch this video but i like your content


great video. i used also a win7 oem key on my old thinkpad to update it to win10. worked without a problem. i wonder if you could also use a vista key ... because 7 was an update to vista... and vista an update to xp... perhaps it is possible to activate them after each other ^^


The free upgrades are no loss to microsoft because they'll get more telemetry data from you which is valuable to them and who they sell it to.


Wow, I remember those Windows 7 Ultra packages. MS was handing them out like candy back in the day. I wonder if I still have any. Now I have to go clean the basement and see if I can find any of them...lol.


There is another way to use a local account when setting up windows. This will work on windows 10. All you need to do is not set up the wi-fi on the computer if it asks you to connect to the wi-fi. Or if you have a ethernet cable in the computer, just unplug it before starting the setup. You can connect to the internet once the setup is complete.


Microsoft pushed every Windows 7 user to upgrade to Windows 10. And they even said, all copies of Win 7 purchased up to a certain date will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. Since this Win7 Ulti key was definitely purchased before the deadline, it definitely allows the upgrade to Win 10.
Since it's also free to upgrade from Win 10 to 11 at any time, in case you have a valid key, those Win 7 keys must work all the way up to Windows 11.
That's the simple explanation why this works.
And it's also the explanation why it won't work with some Win 7 keys that people bought or will buy on ebay - because they were sold after the deadline.


You can still use win7 keys on win10 and 11 just fine. And Microsoft cares so little that you can use even a oem key on multiple computers with no repercussions


enderman: "actuate"<br>my brain: windows actuator

enderman: "actuate"
my brain: windows actuator


subtitles would be a good additions to these speech videos ngl


orginal title : trying to activate crappy windows 10 update with the orginal windows 10 key


i love the windows 98 box, reminds me of old school pc videogame boxes, still have some around somewhere


Я записывал этот эксперимент на свой старый канал 5 лет назад, интересно, что мы оба до этого додумались) Я проверял висту с ключом от хр


Very off-topic question. But, I am attmpting to install Windows XP through USB onto another computer (Lenovo T61) and im getting the error "Setup cannot find the the End User Licensing Agreement (EULA). Setup cannot continue. To quit, press F3. And this is starting to annoy me. Im not sure what to do,  can someone help? Thank you in advance.


Windows vista and versions after are actually very similar


Hey Enderman! With my Win 10 Pro PC, I have a home key on my oc lol. What i did, was change my product key to a Pro, But unplug ethernet and disconnect from Ethernet. Then it will work! 98 may work too.


1:38 yeah sure you are legit responsible lol


I got a Vista key back in the days, it allowed me to upgrade to 7, then 10 for free. Now Microsoft associated that key with my account, I didn't need to activate 11 after logging in. It's pretty neat.


Both my original boxed full 7 home premium (Pro in otherwords) and 8.1 Pro upgrade keys work on 10 Pro and 11 Pro.<br>Although the 7 key will sometimes (for some reason known only to m$) require phoning the automated activation line when reinstalling.

Both my original boxed full 7 home premium (Pro in otherwords) and 8.1 Pro upgrade keys work on 10 Pro and 11 Pro.
Although the 7 key will sometimes (for some reason known only to m$) require phoning the automated activation line when reinstalling.


I couldn’t even activate windows 11 pro with an 11 pro n key.


"What was your child nickname?"

T H R E E


Could you try to activate a Windows 7 or even Vista with a Windows 10 key?


Putting in product key: subscribe or I’ll bite you😂


It's been so long since I watched this channel. Last video I saw you were still using text instead of a microphone xD


2:54 Just choose "Set up for work or school".


Windows XP is the first Operating System to have activation


"Subscribe or I'll bite you"<br>Doom music will play

"Subscribe or I'll bite you"
Doom music will play


ah yes, the best product key

"Subscibe or I'll bite you"


Thank you very much! Because of you i activated win10 with win7 old product key without spending 100eur. I love you <3!


Really not surprise about Windows 98 or XP not wirking - they're just far too old for the key to activate. There were also no upgrade paths from these older OS'es to anything modern.
I'm also not surprised that Windows 7 worked just fine. Remember, Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 keys were, and still can, be used to activate Windows 10, and Windows 10 keys can be used to activate Windows 11. Hence, Windows 7 and newer product keys can be used to activate Windows 11.
The problem, of course, is Windows 11 not being able to run on anything older than Intel 8th Gen / AMD Ryzen 2nd Gen.


it's quite simply because krosoft's objective is no longer to sell the operating system but that to be installed on all the pc's in the world in order to sell what it offers on the windows store that's why they launched the free win10 in 2015 and it is still free even for cracked versions of windows 7/8/8.1 and the same for win11


Even windows 7 home and basic works with Win 11 Home, just make sure you use the correct version of Windows 11 with the activation key.


win xp and win 11 is not same version,
and if you have act key win 8, you cant active win 11
but if you have act key win 10, you can active win 11

it can be said that you already have an activation code that has been upgraded to the latest Windows version.
If not, you cannot use an activation code that has not been upgraded to the latest Windows version.

the activation code will record your motherboard number on the Microsoft server and will remain installed if the activation code is not used again


I recently upgraded a old lga775 pc from<br>Windows 8.1 to Windows 11 without any issues. I used Rufus to create the usb used to bypass secure boot and TPM 2.0 requirements . I didn’t have to go to windows 10 before 11 I was able to upgrade straight from 8.1 to 11 by running the installer on my usb in file explorer on windows. I was happy that Microsoft even by saying 7 and 8.1 computers can’t upgrade to 11 which was false of them because I did that without any problems. It was easy to upgrade to 11, just like it was upgrading to windows 10 back in the 2015.

I recently upgraded a old lga775 pc from
Windows 8.1 to Windows 11 without any issues. I used Rufus to create the usb used to bypass secure boot and TPM 2.0 requirements . I didn’t have to go to windows 10 before 11 I was able to upgrade straight from 8.1 to 11 by running the installer on my usb in file explorer on windows. I was happy that Microsoft even by saying 7 and 8.1 computers can’t upgrade to 11 which was false of them because I did that without any problems. It was easy to upgrade to 11, just like it was upgrading to windows 10 back in the 2015.


the "subscribe or i'll bite you" text made me realize that for some reason youtube arbitrarily unsubscribed me from you


I found it weird that your channel has chat rules lol. I love it when someone’s says first in a comment. Probably the weirdest rule I’ve ever seen.


When installing, make sure you're not connected to the internet. This will give the option to set up a private network. Try it.<br>Worked for me.

When installing, make sure you're not connected to the internet. This will give the option to set up a private network. Try it.
Worked for me.


of course the russian guy's gonna use a karambit to cut something open


It is  Pro at the moment after a few updates   it will put you back to 11 basic like they did with people using Windows 10 Pro using old keys


You can still do the next thing:

install windows xp => upgrade to vista/7 => upgrade to 8 => upgrade to 10 => upgrade to 11

Using free upgrade, don't forget to change the time on machine :)


2075: Activating Windows 69 using MacOS 10 key


Enderman Pls Add Wallpaper section in your Official Website pls I can download your Wallpapers Because Your Wallpapers are Very Cool!


this guy is literally the tech equivalent of nilered


I have multiple PC's i've upgraded from Windows 8 Pro Retail to 10 Pro and then two of those licenses were retail (no OEM's) so I could move them to Win 11 compatible hardware and it worked.


Makes sense since Windows stopped charging for the OS upgrade (if you stick with the same level) with WIndows 7.  If you bought Windows 7 (or your machine came with it) you can upgrade to Windows 10 for free.

Though, I find this interesting.  In the past, I was unable to directly enter a Windows 7 key into a fresh/virgin install of Windows 10.  I had to install Windows 7 first, activate it, then upgrade to Windows 10 in order to get a Windows 10 digital license.  Glad to see they fixed this that.  It was a giant PITA to do.


i have no idea what to expect here but let's see


It didn't need to think about the key for Windows 98 because Windows XP was the first Windows with an online activation service.


I thought you said that your point of hiding your key of XP was because you paid $300 for it, so it's kind of a big deal. Well, since you only paid $50 for those Windows 7s, then why the same treatment (esp. without a similar explanation)?


I love the program ability and hackability of Windows XP I may be old school but I don't think you could do that anymore


Did anyone notice when he was typing the windows do key he said “Subscribe or I’ll bite you” 😂😂😂


"Subscribe or I'll bite you." I specifically subscribed because of that! :D


That was so cool how Microsoft stills let users activate their Windows 11 (maybe 10) using Windows 7 (8/8.1/10)'s Product Key. By the way, Microsoft stills update Windows 7 until 2021 Jan.


Bro for the next time censor your key with a pitch black box, there are programs that can brute force your current blur


I remember a few years ago I found an old XP computer in the garage and managed to upgrade to windows 10 pro


Disconnect from imternet and reconnect after it says its valid so it will use the algorithm to check it instead of also checking the database.


with that you can bypass the setup with having to connet to the enternet  what is posted earlier it will alow you setup windows 11 with out a conection like  windows 10 saying have no enternet conection


YES! COMMENTARY! I SUBSCRIBE FOR THESE GEMS


He's an actual enderman!
Teleports from versions to versions!
noice.


Bro the typewriter keyboard sounds good ngl


If you look closer, 98/Me/2000 use a different set of letters in their cd-keys.


The Windows 11 copy I'm using on my computer to watch this video, was actually activated with a Windows 7 key, because it was what my dad had laying around, and he didn't want to spend a few hundred dollars for a Windows 11 key.


3:11 click sign in options, and then local account


Late to the party, but I guess it was activated because if you remember Microsoft gave free upgrade from windows 7, 8, 8.1 to windows 10 and then the windows 10 users got free upgrade to windows 11


Maybe try converting the key by activating windows 7 with your windows xp key then upgrading to windows 10 or 11 to see if the key will transfer or trying to activate.


can't believe i got unsubbed from your channel smh. good video as always enderman!


You can still use the Windows 7 key with windows 7


You can activate with slp oem windows 7 ultimate keys:-22TKD-F8XX6-YG69F-9M66D-PMJBM


G'day Enderman,
in future if you want to run W7 it should activate with this Motherboard using the same key,
I have a GA-78LMT-USB3 which has an OS Drive for each of W7 & W10 for testing components, I randomly swap from one to the other with no problem.


There was a time when a lot of people didn't want windows 10.Windows 11 isn't desired by a lot of people either. There's a program called Never 10, which helped prevent people with Windows 7, from automatically updating to Windows 10(free of charge).


Win 7 was upgraded to Win 10 almost a decade ago, thus the keys should be valid. Albeit they expired the free upgrade years ago. But it's in Microsoft's interest to gain as many users to continue migrating up to 10 and then 11.  After all, that's how they make revenue off us, not from the sale of OSes, but our continued use of them. Ads, analytics, royalties and licensing. This keeps Windows as the OS for most commercial apps and games. The bread and butter of PCs.


Windows keys from discarded office machines are the way to go. That's what I do. We even have a Windows 11 computer with a vista key here.


Literally all of my 10 licenses are just windows 7 oem keys lol


Oh my God, is your voice real? It's really cool, I really wish I had a voice like that


bro earned a sub from 1 video truly a chad


Next time I need to activate windows 11 I will use a windows 7 key


Even if they do check all the keys, they would be using a hash dictionary


for me a Windows XP Key did work to activate windows 11 before Microsoft shut down the server


Next activating windows 11 with a fake virus scanner product key.


My main computer I built myself is using running Windows 11 Pro on a Dell OEM Win 7 Pro key from a computer that got repurposed as a Linux test bed. So OEM keys will activate Win 11 on different manufacturers too.


I’m pretty sure because the XP key follows a newer formula, it at least checks the key, whereas with a Windows 98 key, it knows right off the bat that it’s invalid.


First thought that came to mind when you did that local account thing is "WTF is this sorcery!"


The most dangerous knife is a dull knife.


I'm surprised it worked with windows 7 key. ._.


I can confirm that you can activate window 11 with window 8 keys... that is how I upgraded my OEM window 11 home to Window 11 pro.


Maybe add the channels you got the Windows 11 unboxing clips from? MichaelMJD.


Os: windows 11 | Product key compatibility: windows 7 to windows 11 | Product key: S U B S C R I B E    O R   I ‘ L   B I T E   Y O U


I like your MS peripheral setup. I’ve got the same mouse at work and a MS Natural Keyboard from the Windows 98 era. Out of curiosity, what kind of keyboard are you using? It sounds almost like an IBM Model M, but it’s clearly not one.


Funny thing to check: I also tried doing this a couple of months ago and I used a Windows 7 Professional Key, BUT if for example you open AIDA64 to check the key it's not the key you have entered but VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T.

It gives you digital entitlement for whatever PC you activate it with so that's why it just shows the default key. You can even hacktivate win 7 and get digital entitlement for 10/11 just by installing an equivalent version on top of it.


Hey enderman, i used to watch your channel in 2019-2020 when you were still small and doing reviews.

Im wondering if you remember me.


I'm glad to hear, that you love, to be responsible.


Bro I love where he blurs the windows XP where he put subscribe or I'll bite you


I would have been interested to see if a Vista key works


Please don't bite me, I've subscribed. :c


It's common knowledge that MS never abendoned the upgrade path from Win 7, 8 and 8.1 to Win 10. Win 10 should have been the "last" Windows in terms of full Versions. MS switched to a more modular system that developes in a n evolutionary way. The hardware industry was not very happy. And to enforce new hardware standards for their OS, they came up with Win 11. Otherwise some people and especially companies only would upgrade their hardware when it's broken. They even mentioned it around the launch of Win 10. They said that from time to time they will have to leave some old hardware behind and cut the support for it. That's what happens now with Non-TPM-2.0 Systems and old CPUs.


I really like your knife, with the curved edge.


"Subscribe or I'll bite you" is the actual key


iirc, there were no migration/upgrade path from XP to Win7. <br>Its easy to imagine that Microsoft would simply declare keys that created before Win7 to be invalid.

iirc, there were no migration/upgrade path from XP to Win7.
Its easy to imagine that Microsoft would simply declare keys that created before Win7 to be invalid.


Surely the question is "why would you want to".


Oh, that we can use the windows 7 loader means the activation program.


I can answer the 8/8.1 question. I have activated my Windows 11 pro license with my old 8.1 pro license and it worked without issues.


Downgrade Win XP > Win 11? NO!!! Upgrade in Win 7, Windows 7 Forever!


Windows 12: You can only use Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 product keys only


I just did a clean install with Windows 11 on a usb without TPM and SecureBoot and it worked on my Toshiba Satellite with XP operating system. Put a new formatted SSD 1tb instead of disk drive. When I logged into Microsoft it recognized my account and asked if I wanted to transfer from a previous machine.


5:25 please don't i'm subscribed for over a year


your like the younger version of mutahar


I know for a fact Windows 7 keys work, because I used my Windows 7 Activation key, they literally only charge you if this is your first Windows install since XP or if you do not have any windows product key


Now if only Windows 11 supported older hardware...


It would be cool if you use windows 7 key they'll give you a windows 7 theme on windows 11


Maybe someone in the world upgrading to Windows 11 coincidentally got the same product key as the one on that specific box you're using. I don't know for sure if this is true but hey! The world is a strange place. People have strange thoughts.


I saw that Micheal MJD clip don’t think you got away with it.


3:43 The best answers for this: 1, 2 and 3! You are a genious! But i use "BANANA" with answer 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣


Andrew were you buy original Windows operating system?  for example Windows 7 Ultimate with product key and original CD. Very interesting film :)


The oldest key that i've had work without and upgrade using a clean install was a visa/7 upgrade key.


You can also bypass the Microsoft sign in by unplugging the internet


I know for sure W7/8 Pro keys are working with any Windows 10/11 Pro installation.


It's hard enough even to get XP activated today.


I got a bunch of Win7 cdkey stickers for free, where i used to work at a few years ago. So yeah, they still work for Windows10 and 11. Since Win7 keys work on Win10, and since you can upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free if you have the hardware required, then yeah they still work.


Would have been so much easier to just check the Microsoft Activation FAQ, it's listed exactly which prior versions of Windows can activate 11...

Just a thought


How does such a amazing video with 260k views only have 260 likes??

edit: grammar fix havr -> have


The Dave's Garage channel is run by a guy who helped write windows. It's interesting sometimes but as you can imagine he thinks the sun shines out of his rear end.


You can setup an offline account on Windows 11 without having to enter an invalid email.<br>SHIFT+F10 then type OOBE\BypassNRO

You can setup an offline account on Windows 11 without having to enter an invalid email.
SHIFT+F10 then type OOBE\BypassNRO


Because it’s valid product key that’s why it can still be used for activation.


Microsoft officially only offered windows 7 users to upgrade to windows 10 for a limited amount of time, but never turned it off. Microsoft wants every PC to use windows 10/11 so they are not bothered about people upgrading for free anyway. They make more than enough money from businesses buying licences for windows.


Does the Windows 7 key have to be genuine?


you have betrayed us, you use light theme


Windows Vista? Got a bunch in a closet but with no device to test Win11.


Microsoft is a perfect example of access of endless resources resulting in far less than the sum of its parts.