| | | Wouldn't the product key alone be enough to install Windows on a manufactured computer and then do online activation later?
A complex question.
Let's look at Windows 7 first.
OEM Windows, the kind installed on computers from major manufacturers require both a certificate and a product key to activate. One can install Windows on these systems with only the Product Key, but without the OEM Certificate, it will not activate.
If one builds their own system and buys a Windows license, they only need the Product Key to activate because Home built systems do not need OEM Certificates and Windows licenses sold to retail customers do not use them. (Retail Product keys are unique. OEM Product keys are the same.)
Windows 10 works differently.
When first started, Windows 10 systems "register" the hardware with Microsoft and get activated. If you re-install Windows 10, the system contacts Microsoft, and if the hardware matches, Windows gets activated.
When upgrading to Windows 10, you'll be asked for a Product Key. At this point, any Product Key for Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7 will work and allow the installation to proceed.
(At this time, Windows 10 will activate with a Windows 7 Product Key, but Microsoft has not indicated how long this will be the case. The upgrade program ended a few months ago. One cannot download the Windows 10 upgrade, but if you have one acquired before the upgrade program ended, it will still work.)
Cheers, PW.
P.S. Note: 32-Bit and 64-Bit Windows use the same Product Keys and Certificates. Windows Home, Pro, and Ultimate use the same Certificates but different Product Keys. |
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