Microsoft’s recent action to close a loophole which allowed users to upgrade for free from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 or 11 has resulted in unexpected consequences. Users who had taken advantage of the free upgrade in the past are reporting that their license keys have been deactivated.
For example, individuals who initially had Windows 7, then upgraded to Windows 10 and subsequently to Windows 11, are now finding their license keys invalidated. These users have encountered issues after making hardware changes such as upgrading their graphics card.
Reports from readers of The Verge and complaints on platforms like Reddit indicate that this problem is affecting some Windows 11 and 10 users. It appears that the deactivation of the license could occur following a hardware upgrade or even a simple BIOS update, as suggested by The Verge.
One reader, Daniel Mittelman, shared his experience of having his activation blocked after upgrading some hardware components. After contacting Microsoft customer support, he was told that because his Windows 10 license had been upgraded from Windows 7, and support for Windows 7 product keys had been discontinued, his license for Windows 10 Pro could not be continued after the hardware change, despite acknowledging that changing the hardware was not a violation of the Windows license.
The situation has prompted Microsoft to investigate the issue. Bill Babona, Principal product manager of Windows at Microsoft, stated that the company is aware of the reports and is investigating. Users experiencing technical difficulties are advised to contact customer support.
While it is possible to use Windows without activating the OS, it comes with limitations such as the inability to customize the operating system, lack of updates, and display of watermarks and pop-ups prompting users to activate Windows.
In conclusion, the recent deactivation of license keys for users who upgraded from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 or 11 has sparked an investigation by Microsoft, as affected users seek solutions to their invalidated license keys.
