I have a Windows 8 Pro key that came on a plastic card with the Windows 8 DVD. I am pretty sure this is an upgrade version, but I don't know for sure because I don't have the original packaging. All I have is the DVD and the plastic card that has the activation code.
I am wondering if there is a short cut to using this key to install Windows 10 Pro?
Do I really have to install Windows 8, install it again (because it's probably an upgrade key), upgrade to 8.1, and then upgrade to 10?
Is there some way I can just install Windows 10 directly?
This will be installed on a new computer on a blank SSD.
Just install Windows 10, select "I don't have a product key", "skip", or "do this later" when asked for a Windows 10 product key. After it is installed go to settings, updates and security, activation screen, and change product key to the Windows 8 Pro product key to activate it.
So that will work even though my Win 8 Pro key is an upgrade key, not a full license key?Just install Windows 10, select "I don't have a product key", "skip", or "do this later" when asked for a Windows 10 product key. After it is installed go to settings, updates and security, activation screen, and change product key to the Windows 8 Pro product key to activate it.
Yes.
You may upgrade to Win 8 Pro, then upgrade to Win 10 Pro with Win 10 free upgrade.So that will work even though my Win 8 Pro key is an upgrade key, not a full license key?
I don't know what you mean. This will be for a new computer that won't have anything on it. Just a new SSD.You may upgrade to Win 8 Pro, then upgrade to Win 10 Pro with Win 10 free upgrade.
Upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro - Windows Help
The only difference is that you will initially install Windows 10 Pro, but once you get it installed, the activation with the Windows 8 Pro upgrade pack key is the same as described in the article:After your device is upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, you'll need to activate Windows. Select the Start Start button icon button, then select Settings > Update & security > Activation.
Select Change product key, and then enter your 25-character Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Pro Pack, Windows 8.1 Pro, or Windows 8.1 Pro Pack product key.
Select Next to activate Windows 10 Pro.
I used a Windows 8 Pro retail key and when asked for a key during W10 install I put in the W8 key and it auto activated.
I used a 1511 version ISO for the install which had both Pro and Home versions and it installed the Pro version.
This was a change when 1511 was released.
Jim
OK, I'll see what happens. I should have the parts by late this week.I used a Windows 8 Pro retail key and when asked for a key during W10 install I put in the W8 key and it auto activated.
I used a 1511 version ISO for the install which had both Pro and Home versions and it installed the Pro version.
This was a change when 1511 was released.
Jim
The idea of activating 10 Pro with an 8 Pro upgrade key seems too good to be true.
It is an actual Windows 8 Pro Upgrade key designed to upgrade from Windows 7 (and maybe from Vista?). It isn't just to upgrade from 8 to 8 Pro.
The option to activate Windows 10 with a Windows 8 product key will only be free until July 29th.
