Retail Win7 product key or ShowKeyPlus product key to install Win11?


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mck

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OS
Windows 11
I installed Win10 on my self-built PC using the product key from my retail copy of Win7.
I now want to dismantle the Win10 PC and use the power supply and SSDs for a new DIY Win11 PC.

I ran ShowKeyPlus on the Win10 PC. The "Installed Key" is different from the Win7 product key I used.
Searching tenforums, I found a post that said: "When you install win10 with a win7 key, it changes the key to a win10 key".

So when I'm ready to install a downloaded win11 media creation on the new PC, I'll first deactivate win10 on the old PC.
Then I'll take the PS from the old PC and install it on the new PC plus a new 256 GB SSD for win11 and installed programs only.
I'll install the data SSDs from the old win10 PC after I get win11 working on the new DIY PC.

But when I install win11 on the new DIY PC, which product key should I use to activate win11? The retail win7 key or the ShowKeyPlus key?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z890-P WiFi
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Using integrated graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    512 GB SSD, 2TB M.2 SSD and 2TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    Seasonic Modular 550 watt Focus Plus
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    ThermalRight Phantom Sprit
I normally use a different approach:

Install Windows with no product key (select the option that says that you have no key during installation). After installation, when you try to activate and it fails it will give you an option to troubleshoot. You can tell it that you recently changed hardware. It should offer you the ability to transfer the license (assuming that you had a MS account that the previous system was linked to).
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-built
    CPU
    Intel i7 11700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z590-A MB
    Memory
    64GB (Waiting for warranty replacement of another 64GB for 128GB total)
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP Envy 32
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB NVMe SSD
    1 x 2TB NVMe SSD
    1 x 4TB NVMe SSD
    3 x 512GB 2.5" SSD
    1 x 4TB 2.5" SSD
    5 x 8TB Seagate Barracuda HDD
    PSU
    Corsair HX850i
    Case
    Corsair iCUE RGB 5000X mid tower case
    Cooling
    Noctua NF-S12A chromax.black.swap case fans (Qty. 7) & Home Computer Specifications, Configuration, and Usage Notes General Specifications ASUS Prime Z590-A motherboard, serial number M1M0KC222467ARP Intel Core i7-11700K CPU (11th Gen Rocket Lake / LGA 1200 Socket) 128GB Crucial Ballistix RGB DDR4 3200 MHz DRAM (4 x 32GB) Corsair iCUE RGB 5000X mid tower case Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black CPU cooler Noctua NF-S12A chromax.black.swap case fans (Qty. 7) & Corsair LL-120 RGB Fans (Qty. 3)
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Max RGB Magnetic Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    The five 8TB drives and three 512GB SSDs are part of a DrivePool using StableBit DrivePool software. The three SSDs are devoted purely to caching for the 8TB drives. All of the important data is stored in triplicate so that I can withstand simultaneous failure of 2 disks.

    Networking: 2.5Gbps Ethernet and WiFi 6e
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
More detail on what "hsehestedt" refers to:

Reactivating Windows after a hardware change - Microsoft Support

Learn how to prepare your Windows device for a hardware change and find help reactivating Windows after a hardware change is complete.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com

I've never verified it, but I have read that with the digital license, the difference between retail and OEM licenses has been eliminated.

I've wished that Windows had an explicit deactivation, but MS now seems to allow easy transfers (if you have an MS account), as long as the number of activated installs is kept the same.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 26100.3025
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) G.Skill DDR5 6400 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    BeQuiet! Straight Power 12 1500W
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    SilverStone Technology XE360-TR5, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    2000/300 Mbps (down/up)
  • Operating System
    windows 11 26100.3025
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA329C
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
hsehestedt said:
I normally use a different approach:

Install Windows with no product key (select the option that says that you have no key during installation). After installation, when you try to activate and it fails it will give you an option to troubleshoot. You can tell it that you recently changed hardware. It should offer you the ability to transfer the license (assuming that you had a MS account that the previous system was linked to).
Click to expand...
So your method does not involve the need to enter any product key at all to activate Win11?

BTW, I'm not sure if I used a MS account or local account when I installed Win10 on my current PC. How can I verify whether I used a MS account or not?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z890-P WiFi
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Using integrated graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    512 GB SSD, 2TB M.2 SSD and 2TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    Seasonic Modular 550 watt Focus Plus
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    ThermalRight Phantom Sprit
bobkn said:
More detail on what "hsehestedt" refers to:

Reactivating Windows after a hardware change - Microsoft Support

Learn how to prepare your Windows device for a hardware change and find help reactivating Windows after a hardware change is complete.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com

I've never verified it, but I have read that with the digital license, the difference between retail and OEM licenses has been eliminated.

I've wished that Windows had an explicit deactivation, but MS now seems to allow easy transfers (if you have an MS account), as long as the number of activated installs is kept the same.
Click to expand...
I'll check out that link this evening. Gotta do some "Honey do chores now" :-). Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z890-P WiFi
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Using integrated graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    512 GB SSD, 2TB M.2 SSD and 2TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    Seasonic Modular 550 watt Focus Plus
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    ThermalRight Phantom Sprit

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z890-P WiFi
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Using integrated graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    512 GB SSD, 2TB M.2 SSD and 2TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    Seasonic Modular 550 watt Focus Plus
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    ThermalRight Phantom Sprit
mck said:
So your method does not involve the need to enter any product key at all to activate Win11?
Click to expand...
That is correct. I use a product key to install on a machine for the very first time, then I toss the key because I will never need it again.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-built
    CPU
    Intel i7 11700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime Z590-A MB
    Memory
    64GB (Waiting for warranty replacement of another 64GB for 128GB total)
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP Envy 32
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB NVMe SSD
    1 x 2TB NVMe SSD
    1 x 4TB NVMe SSD
    3 x 512GB 2.5" SSD
    1 x 4TB 2.5" SSD
    5 x 8TB Seagate Barracuda HDD
    PSU
    Corsair HX850i
    Case
    Corsair iCUE RGB 5000X mid tower case
    Cooling
    Noctua NF-S12A chromax.black.swap case fans (Qty. 7) & Home Computer Specifications, Configuration, and Usage Notes General Specifications ASUS Prime Z590-A motherboard, serial number M1M0KC222467ARP Intel Core i7-11700K CPU (11th Gen Rocket Lake / LGA 1200 Socket) 128GB Crucial Ballistix RGB DDR4 3200 MHz DRAM (4 x 32GB) Corsair iCUE RGB 5000X mid tower case Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black CPU cooler Noctua NF-S12A chromax.black.swap case fans (Qty. 7) & Corsair LL-120 RGB Fans (Qty. 3)
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Max RGB Magnetic Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    The five 8TB drives and three 512GB SSDs are part of a DrivePool using StableBit DrivePool software. The three SSDs are devoted purely to caching for the 8TB drives. All of the important data is stored in triplicate so that I can withstand simultaneous failure of 2 disks.

    Networking: 2.5Gbps Ethernet and WiFi 6e
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
hsehestedt said:
That is correct. I use a product key to install on a machine for the very first time, then I toss the key because I will never need it again.
Click to expand...
Yep - although digital licences have been around for a decade now (first started on 2015), it is amazing how few people do not realise the basic point about digital licences i.e. once a device is granted a digital licence (upon first activation), you no longer need the original activation key, as you say.

As a clarification, this fundamental property of digital licences is independent of using a local or MS account. However, if you use an MS account, it enables the ability to transfer the digital licence to a new unlicensed pc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14
    CPU
    I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB soldered
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop OLED screen
    Screen Resolution
    2880x1800 touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
    PSU
    Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
    Keyboard
    Built in UK keybd
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
    Internet Speed
    900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
Only thing I would add here is that if you need an offline pc imaged, keeping your key is necessary. Depends on what type of environment you’ll be using it in.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
mck said:
I'll check out that link this evening. Gotta do some "Honey do chores now" :-). Thanks
Click to expand...
@bobkn,
Your link on "Reactivating windows after a hardware change" is very good. It also contained a link on how to verify if one's copy of Windows is linked to a Microsoft account. That link confirmed that my current copy of Win10 is linked to a MS account.

Using both links, I should be able to transfer activation from my current Win10 to a new Win11 PC.
Thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z890-P WiFi
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Using integrated graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    512 GB SSD, 2TB M.2 SSD and 2TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    Seasonic Modular 550 watt Focus Plus
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    ThermalRight Phantom Sprit
mck said:
I'll check out that link this evening. Gotta do some "Honey do chores now" :-). Thanks.
Click to expand...
@dacrone,
I think bobkn's link will do the job. Thanks for your support though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z890-P WiFi
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Using integrated graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    512 GB SSD, 2TB M.2 SSD and 2TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    Seasonic Modular 550 watt Focus Plus
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    ThermalRight Phantom Sprit
A few weeks ago I rebuilt two computers

Computer #1: Windows 11
* Windows 10 Pro Retail -> Windows 11 Pro

Computer #2: Dual-boot Windows 7 & 10
* Windows 7 Home Retail
* Windows 7 Ultimate Retail > Windows 10 Pro

I replaced the motherboards with entirely different ones for each. However, I kept the same boot drives.
Each of the three versions of Windows on the two computers at first showed needing activation. However, the reactivation only took a few seconds. No product keys were needed.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2022)
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800H with Radeon 680M GPU (486MB RAM)
    Memory
    Crucial DDR5-4800 (2400MHz) 32GB (2 x 16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3060 Laptop (6GB RAM)
    Sound Card
    n/a
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 300Hz
    Hard Drives
    2 x Samsung 990 Evo Plus (2TB M.2 NVME SSD)
    PSU
    n/a
    Mouse
    Wireless Mouse M510
    Internet Speed
    2000Mbps/300Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700X3D
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II
    Memory
    G.SKILL Flare X 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-RTX3060TI-08G-V2-GAMING (RTX 3060-Ti, 8GB RAM)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23A300B (23-in LED)
    Screen Resolution
    1080p 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    2TB XPG SX8200 Pro (M2. PCIe SSD) || 2TB Intel 660P (M2. PCIe SSD)
    PSU
    Corsair RM750x (750 watts)
    Case
    Cooler Master MasterCase 5
    Cooling
    Scythe Mugen 6
    Mouse
    Logitech M310 (MK540 keyboard/mouse combo)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K520 (MK540 keyboard/mouse combo)
    Internet Speed
    2000 Mbps down / 300 Mbps up
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes (Premium)
    Other Info
    ASUS Blu-ray Burner BW-16D1HT (SATA) || Western Digital Easystore 20TB USB 3.0 external hard drive used with Acronis True Image 2025 backup software || HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 Printer/Scanner
MisterEd said:
A few weeks ago I rebuilt two computers

Computer #1: Windows 11
* Windows 10 Pro Retail -> Windows 11 Pro

Computer #2: Dual-boot Windows 7 & 10
* Windows 7 Home Retail
* Windows 7 Ultimate Retail > Windows 10 Pro

I replaced the motherboards with entirely different ones for each. However, I kept the same boot drives.
Each of the three versions of Windows on the two computers at first showed needing activation. However, the reactivation only took a few seconds. No product keys were needed.
Click to expand...
Was a clean fresh copy of Win11 installed on Computer #1 or was Win10 upgraded to Win11? Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro Z890-P WiFi
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Using integrated graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    512 GB SSD, 2TB M.2 SSD and 2TB SATA SSD
    PSU
    Seasonic Modular 550 watt Focus Plus
    Case
    Corsair 4000D
    Cooling
    ThermalRight Phantom Sprit
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