Head to this Windows 10 download page and click Download Now. The Media Creation Tool will download. Run the file you downloaded and accept the license agreement. In the next screen, choose I upgraded to Windows 10 when that came out. The key isn't linked to my Microsoft account. I am building a new PC that I want to put Windows 11 on. Can I use my old Windows 8 key? I know I can't use the same key on 2 machines and it's definately a major hardware change so would it be better to remove the key from my Windows 10 machine first? Windows 8.1 keys work in Windows 10, so the upgrade should be free. Windows 10 since version 1511 already accepts valid Windows 7 and 8.1 keys aside from its own. And now Windows 10 Fall Update Set for November Release allows activating directly with your Windows 7,8 or 8.1 Product Key (even if it’s embedded in BIOS), so you can also do the vastly superior Clean Reinstall Windows 10 Upgrade - either waiting for Release media or use the present media and wait for new Version to be pushed through Windows Note: The option to go back to your previous version of Windows is available only for a limited time following the upgrade (10 days, in most cases). Select the Start button > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery . Under Go back to the previous version of Windows 10, Go back to Windows 8.1, select Get started . is Microsoft even planning on a 10 upgrade for the surface rt 8.1 i like this tablet but hate the limitations. Careers. About Microsoft. Company news. YLXolo. We recommend upgrading to a version of Windows that is still supported. A new device that can run Windows 11 makes for an easy transition and a great experience. Windows 8.1 reaches end of support on January 10, 2023. After that date, if you're running Microsoft 365, you'll no longer receive updates for the Office apps; this includes feature Upgrade to Windows 10: FAQ. Windows 10 Windows 7 Windows 8.1. An upgrade moves your PC from a previous version of Windows—such as Windows 7 or Windows 8.1—to Windows 10. An upgrade can take place on your existing device, though Microsoft recommends using Windows 10 on a new PC to take advantage of the latest features and security improvements. The Windows 10 Home upgrade is just the licence edition. If you have Windows 8.1 Pro and used the Media Creation Tool it should have upgraded to Windows 10 Pro but then wouldn't activate with the Home upgrade licence. If the Surface came with Windows 10 Pro then the licence will only be for Pro edition. Find the media creation tool on the Software download page. Once at the above expand "Using the Media Creation Tool" and read this information completely. 1. " Upgrade to Windows 10 using the Tool". If you’re currently running Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 Update, follow these instructions to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. The laptop apparently has the windows 8.x key stored inside its firmware. Saved me some effort as I didn't have to install windows 8 first. So it seems windows 10 does not need a windows 10 license in the case you had a genuine Windows 8. If the key is not in firmware there are tools to extract it provided your original windows still runs. To find out which you have, go to Start, type Control panel, select System and security, and then, under System, look at the value for System type. > Run the Tool. If you're upgrading this PC, select Upgrade this PC now, and then follow the rest of the instructions to finish the upgrade.

can windows 8.1 be upgraded to windows 10