Microsoft has locked Windows 7 and 8.1 keys so that current systems such as Windows 10 and Windows 11 cannot be activated. The Redmond-based company is thus concluding a free update program, which was officially supposed to last only 12 months, but in practice has been maintained for eight years.

Microsoft announced changes to Windows 7 and Windows 8 key locking from Windows 11 late last month, but didn’t say when it would implement the measure. In fact, until last week it was still possible to update devices and perform clean installs

From this week it’s over the old keys are “totally blocked”, as Microsoft confirmed to The Verge. This applies not only to the Canary test build, but also to the stable version, the latest Windows 11 22H2. And it is understood that to the others that I will publish, such as the 23H2, which will arrive before the end of the year.

Let’s say that the measure is limited to Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 and does not affect the current free program that was launched when Windows 11 was launched, which allows you to upgrade computers from Windows 10 for free if they meet the hardware requirements, which, as you know, have increased.

Without Windows 7 keys, but with very cheap Windows 10-11 licenses

Official price of Windows 11 licenses (Microsoft no longer sells Windows 10 licenses) are very high and some users choose software piracy. It is not convenient, for legal or practical reasons.

Acquiring a Windows 10 license will guarantee that the system will be legal until at least the end of its support in October 2025. If you need it, we regularly offer events where you can get Windows 10 license for only 12 euros. These keys are legal and forever, and once activated, you can stay on Windows 10 or upgrade to Windows 11 for free when support ends or at any time.