I have a product key from a Windows Checked build that I'd like to use on a Free version, but the source didn't state the edition the key is bound to. So I don't know what edition should I install.
123040
I have a Windows 7 product key that I foolishly did not label.  Rather than downloading and creating disks for however many different ISOs exist (Basic, Pro, Ultimate, 32-bit/64-bit, upgrade, full version) and testing each one until one works, is there a way I can discover what the key is for specifically?
38490
I want to make some changes to Windows that require using the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).  Unfortunately the Group Policy Editor is not included with the Starter Edition, Home and Home Premium editions of Windows.  How can I install it?
68299
Without a product key being labelled, is there is any way to identify what Microsoft software product a given product key is meant to activate?   Let's say for example I had the product key ABCDE-FGHIJ-KLMNO-PQRST-UVWXY, but I had no clue if was meant for Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Home Premium, Vista Ultimate, or even Office 2010. Is there a way I could identify the software product the key is meant for (or at least get a good estimate)?     Note: I have searched and searched many times on the Internet, but the only results I ever find are how to recover a lost product key by using something like . This is not what I am looking for.
8102
So, I have Windows 7 pro, and I'm looking to upgrade so that I can use some of the apps that are only available in Windows 8+. I considered just taking advantage of the free Windows 10 upgrade, and actually installed it at one point, but then I found out that there's forced automatic updates and decided that wasn't for me(I'm a bit paranoid after Android 4.4.4 killed Flash Player without telling me. :P). So, I did some research.   From what I read, the Windows 10 upgrade "consumes" your Windows 7 license into a Windows 10 license, and so even if you revert back after upgrading then you can still change your mind later and jump back to Windows 10. () I also read that Windows 10 has "downgrade" rights to Windows 8 and Windows 7, which to my understanding meant that if you have a Windows 10 key, you can also use it to install Windows 8 or 7 if you want. ()  My plan for the process is re-upgrade to 10, pull the license key, downgrade to 8 and use the license key, then upgrade to 8.1 via Windows Store, and end up on 8.1. So my questions are: Is this possible?  Will it wipe all my data in the process?(not a dealbreaker if it does, but I'd need to know that so I can back it up) Do I need to re-upgrade to 10 in order to downgrade to 8?  Any input is definitely appreciated. Thanks!
74009
I want to buy Rome Total War 2 before it's released because it's currently 50% off.  However, at the screen, it only shows a Windows symbol for the OS.  If I buy it now, will it only be for Windows?  Or can I purchase the game once and use it on multiple operating systems?  Please provide a link that describes this policy.    Here is the  that it's coming to linux.  Does that help?
25840
I have a brand new, unopened laptop with Windows 10 Home that, due to a standardized test that my spouse will have to take on it in late July, I cannot put Windows 10 Creator on.  I understand that this will leave the laptop less secure, and I am rather mad about it, but I have no control over the testing software.  They made it very clear that Windows 10 Creator is not supported, and that it should not be installed prior to the exam.  When I open this laptop up, I would like to make my laptop as secure as I can by getting as many updates as possible without installing Windows 10 Creator.  However, updates rarely identify themselves clearly, so I am not sure how to know when I have even encountered the Windows 10 Creator update.  Can anyone tell me how to know which update to avoid?  Also, (and this is not strictly part of the question), any further advice about how to secure this thing without being up to date on Windows updates would also be appreciated.
55226
I have a Steam product key for Just Cause 2 I got for free with the purchase of my video card. However, I already have a copy of this game attached to my Steam account. What will happen if I try to activate this other key on my account? Will Steam give me a copy of Just Cause 2 to gift to somebody else? Will it simply refuse to add it? Or will it eat the key rendering it worthless?  I don't want to try this only to have the latter happen, but it would be useful to be able to add it and gift it to somebody else.
51724
During the beta of Windows 10 it was hard know what version you were running unless it had it posted to the desktop. Once that wasn't there - how do you tell what version / build you are running?   This will become more of an issue as Microsoft starts releasing more builds with the new update mechanism.
37740
I have my CD-key sticker with me but don't have the CD anymore. Is there anywhere I can download Windows XP SP3 installation disc from?
29060
I am trying to get it on my mac, so do I download the windows version onto a USB and then upload it from there because I can't find a mac version.
52035
I have Windows XP Professional OEM key on the sticker on the computer, but I don't have a OEM media to perform reinstall.  I could obtain (it doesn't matter how) an installation ISO images from  site, but as I understand these are only images for Retail and Volume Licencing versions.  So, can I use Retail (or VL) media to perform install and activate with OEM licence key?
79228
I bought Dragon Age Inquisition, I have all the disks, the problem is that my computer isn't powerful enough for it and so it lags a lot. I've done all I could, but the only way I can play normally is on the lowest resolution, which isn't fun.  I'll buy it on Xbox instead and I want to sell my current PC version, but I already redeemed the activation code. If I sell it can someone else use it on their PC ?
59213
I know this question is a repetition but I didn't find any solution of my problem from any of the previous questions. Recently I formatted my Laptop HDD and now I want to re install windows 8 I've a Windows 8 OEM license but the problem is I don't have a disc , I downloaded en_windows_8_x64_dvd_915440 from msdn , but when I boot the windows it shows the error that the current version is not suitable with my serial key, so where I can find an OEM Windows 8 and also I've a retail windows 8 disc so if I install that windows 8 in my pc and is there any way to activate it using my OEM key
43794
I do not know which Windows version I have running on my laptop. How do I find this out? I need to know before telephoning my service provider.
48335
I have recently acquired a laptop with an OEM Windows 8 product key.  I am interested in a clean install of Windows 8.1.  I do not have any original install media, only recovery disks, and the recovery disks perform a pre-programmed install which does not have the correct partition scheme that I need, and also install lots of programs that I do not want.  The common way to clean install Windows 8.1 with a Windows 8 key shown on websites is to use Microsoft's upgrade site to download the install media by starting the Windows 8 download first, pausing it, then starting the Windows 8.1 download.  My Windows 8 OEM key is rejected with the message This product key cannot be used to install a retail version of Windows 8.  I have tried using the generic keys provided in numerous threads, but these are all rejected with the message We can't connect right now (research shows that this is due to a key problem and not a network problem, I have confirmed the network is fine.)  If I was to obtain the 8.1 install media, am I right in thinking that I could install using the dummy key and later legitimately activate with my Win8 OEM key?  If not, could I do the equivalent for Windows 8 install media?  A clean Win8 upgraded through to 8.1 is still preferable to the wrongly-partitioned OEM version.  Is this even possible?  If it's not possible, are the manufacturer under obligation to provide me with "clean" install disks on request?
104146
I get this warning each time I login to Windows 10:  This build of Windows will expire soon Your build of Windows will expire on 31/07/2020. You should move to a new build as soon as possible. Go online for more information.  With a 'More info' and 'Close' button. The '' button goes to a website that does not exist:  We're sorry, we can't find that page. The page you're looking for may no longer be available. Please make sure your URL is correct and try again.  With nothing in the  either. I'm in the  (to use WSL 2), and have recently switched from the Dev channel to the Beta channel, because the Dev channel is not needed anymore for WSL 2 support. It is my guess that switching WIP channels lead to this 'Windows will expire soon' warning. According to the lower right corner of my desktop, I'm on  Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview Evaluation copy. Build 20152.rs_prerelease.200617-1502  I guess it says this is an &quot;Evaluation Copy&quot; because it is an WIP build. The current  are  Dev: 20175 Beta: 19042.421 RC: 19041.388  So maybe Windows refuses to update to the Beta channel, because that has an older version than I'm already on. I was expecting that I would move over to the Beta channel before the Dev channel would expire. (My reason for not staying on Dev is that Dev requires to many reboots.) My priorities are a) have a working operating system on July 31th, and b) move from the WIP Dev channel to the Beta channel (or maybe RC or turn of WIP entirely, depending on WSL 2 support). What are my options?  Wait till July 1st and see what will happen (maybe Windows will switch to the Beta channel last minute?). Go back to the WIP Dev channel. (And very carefully time going to the Beta channel some how?) 'Refresh' / reinstall Windows somehow and get to the WIP Beta channel.  None of these are very attractive, anyone know something smarter? What will happen if I do nothing, can I still use the machine after July 31th?  seem  that I can just wait it out, but those are all for specific builds, so I'm not sure.
78514
I'm doing a hard drive upgrade and it might ask me for the product key again.  How can I find it?