Microsoft is closing the loophole that allowed older Windows product keys to activate Windows 10 and Windows 11. This loophole has existed since Windows 10 first launched as a "free" upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users. That free upgrade was supposed only last a year, but remained open and worked with both Windows 10 and Windows 11 until now.

Microsoft says it has closed an installation path that allowed Windows 7 and 8.X owners to upgrade to Windows 10 and 11 for free. An official statement to this effect was posted on the Microsoft ...

“Microsoft’s free upgrade offer for Windows 10 / 11 ended July 29, 2016,” a Microsoft blog post now states, dating back to Sept. 20, and unearthed by Windows Central. “The installation ...

It's common for Microsoft to offer a free upgrade path when releasing a new version of Windows, but it swung the doors wide with the release of Windows 10 and 11. It's been possible to upgrade ...

When Windows 10 first came out in July 2015, Microsoft gave Windows 7/8 users a full year to upgrade to the new OS for free. In July 2016, it extended an additional year for users of assistive ...

The latest Windows 10 patch (KB5030211) has added a new “Windows Backup” feature allowing users to backup user settings, installed applications and files. Consumers have taken issue with Microsoft forcing this feature on users without their consent ...

A new Windows 10 theme gives your computer a fresh look for free. Here are the best Windows themes and how to apply them.

Microsoft has been offering free upgrades to Windows 10 and Windows 11 with working product keys of Windows 7 and Windows 8 ever since Windows 10 was launched in 2015. You can even activate ...

Microsoft quietly announced that it has stopped supporting free upgrades from Windows 7 and 8 to Windows 10 or 11. “Microsoft’s free upgrade offer for Windows 10/11 ended July 29, 2016,” a ...

Microsoft quietly announced that it has stopped supporting free upgrades from Windows 7 and 8 to Windows 10 or 11. “Microsoft’s free upgrade offer for Windows 10/11 ended July 29, 2016,” a ...