Thank you for the information about being able to install WIN11 on a temporary basis. I have a group of laptops returned to me that were purchased and loaned out during the pandemic to grandchildren needing better computers to complete their college degrees. I also assumed the role of their “system administrator” overseeing the ownership of legal software bundled packages, paying for their internet service and performing miscellaneous backups and other repairs as needed.
– Now, as all five users have graduated with their Undergraduate Degrees and moved forward in life, I have these laptops and other desktop builds waiting to be cleaned up so to speak – rebuild the systems back to a solid operating system that can be regifted back into the larger circle of use. In other words, place the systems where they will be used as either second or third processors integrated into a home network, a single laptop being dedicated to a great-grandchild who is ready and responsible for their “real computing system with internet access and attached laser printer” for school work or just general gifting of a working system to another family ready to assume ownership of a middle range processing system for their home use!
– My point of following you article about installation of WIN11 and not knowing the license number for any of the “rebuilding projects” is both that the detailed records I created about each processor have become lost. Details such as license numbers, software versions and even original assigned users. I envision, from reading your article, that the software license number will be recovered during the installation process? To me, that is a bonus in recovering much needed information and perhaps installing more updated and functional software for the processor. As for the rest of the software licensing information, I believe that I can work backwards from the multi-user licenses purchased and renewed when required.
– My only concern about installing WIN11 are requirements of TPM, operating systems, and memory capacities. Of course, memory upgrades and hard drive capacities were not initial problems during the initial system builds. I did purchase 1TB SSD drives with I believe at 8 or 16 GIG memory. It is just the other details that Microsoft has mandated that I will need to followup upon.
– Regardless, if the difference between “restoring, cleaning up and upgrading software” on a perfectly usable laptop or desktop rather than to create more electronic recycling trash is only the temporary time difference of getting a operating system “up and operating” versus the builder spending more money to purchase a new WIN11 license only to encounter a total operating failure – I am thankful the Microsoft finally has realized the benefit of their development to this world.
– Yes, the purchase of a legal operationg license is necessary. Not only for future software upgrades, but for future compatibility of unknown programs that will be designed to operated off of this new change in computing OS’s! In the end of the complete circle of being a software user: paying for the development, testing and correction releases of an operating system is the true heart of using an enjoyable, smooth flowing und user system such as this word processor!
Yes, during a Windows 11 install, the operating system picks up the old license if it was previously activated on the same device.
As long as the laptops meet the system requirements (like TPM 2.0 and a supported CPU), you should be able to install without buying new licenses.
Seems like this is a solid option especially if your going to do some testing or using Windows 11 in a virtual machine. Personally, I think I could put up with the water mark except I notice it does overlay even on open windows and not just the desktop. So that in itself may annoy some people.
Not sure how it happens. I install windows 11 without a key and offline and create only a local user account. When all done all I have to do is get online and my windows is activated.
I paid $2500 for a damn good PC and they couldn’t even bother giving me a product key for my OS?? Yes. Yes I am going to use an unactivated version of Windows 11. I’m not paying $140 to get rid of a water mark and for the ability to turn my screen border green.
We got a win 11 machine in Dec last year, to show people Windows 11 – but have had almost zero luck finding a good “20 things win 11 has that Win 10 didn’t” LOL
8 Responses to “Windows 11 doesn’t require a product key to install and use”
Thank you for the information about being able to install WIN11 on a temporary basis. I have a group of laptops returned to me that were purchased and loaned out during the pandemic to grandchildren needing better computers to complete their college degrees. I also assumed the role of their “system administrator” overseeing the ownership of legal software bundled packages, paying for their internet service and performing miscellaneous backups and other repairs as needed.
– Now, as all five users have graduated with their Undergraduate Degrees and moved forward in life, I have these laptops and other desktop builds waiting to be cleaned up so to speak – rebuild the systems back to a solid operating system that can be regifted back into the larger circle of use. In other words, place the systems where they will be used as either second or third processors integrated into a home network, a single laptop being dedicated to a great-grandchild who is ready and responsible for their “real computing system with internet access and attached laser printer” for school work or just general gifting of a working system to another family ready to assume ownership of a middle range processing system for their home use!
– My point of following you article about installation of WIN11 and not knowing the license number for any of the “rebuilding projects” is both that the detailed records I created about each processor have become lost. Details such as license numbers, software versions and even original assigned users. I envision, from reading your article, that the software license number will be recovered during the installation process? To me, that is a bonus in recovering much needed information and perhaps installing more updated and functional software for the processor. As for the rest of the software licensing information, I believe that I can work backwards from the multi-user licenses purchased and renewed when required.
– My only concern about installing WIN11 are requirements of TPM, operating systems, and memory capacities. Of course, memory upgrades and hard drive capacities were not initial problems during the initial system builds. I did purchase 1TB SSD drives with I believe at 8 or 16 GIG memory. It is just the other details that Microsoft has mandated that I will need to followup upon.
– Regardless, if the difference between “restoring, cleaning up and upgrading software” on a perfectly usable laptop or desktop rather than to create more electronic recycling trash is only the temporary time difference of getting a operating system “up and operating” versus the builder spending more money to purchase a new WIN11 license only to encounter a total operating failure – I am thankful the Microsoft finally has realized the benefit of their development to this world.
– Yes, the purchase of a legal operationg license is necessary. Not only for future software upgrades, but for future compatibility of unknown programs that will be designed to operated off of this new change in computing OS’s! In the end of the complete circle of being a software user: paying for the development, testing and correction releases of an operating system is the true heart of using an enjoyable, smooth flowing und user system such as this word processor!
Yes, during a Windows 11 install, the operating system picks up the old license if it was previously activated on the same device.
As long as the laptops meet the system requirements (like TPM 2.0 and a supported CPU), you should be able to install without buying new licenses.
Seems like this is a solid option especially if your going to do some testing or using Windows 11 in a virtual machine. Personally, I think I could put up with the water mark except I notice it does overlay even on open windows and not just the desktop. So that in itself may annoy some people.
Thanks. Maybe you can try onthehubstore, it’s a good choice.
Not sure how it happens. I install windows 11 without a key and offline and create only a local user account. When all done all I have to do is get online and my windows is activated.
You may have a Windows 10 product key associated with your PC, and that’s why Windows 11 gets activated automatically.
I paid $2500 for a damn good PC and they couldn’t even bother giving me a product key for my OS?? Yes. Yes I am going to use an unactivated version of Windows 11. I’m not paying $140 to get rid of a water mark and for the ability to turn my screen border green.
We got a win 11 machine in Dec last year, to show people Windows 11 – but have had almost zero luck finding a good “20 things win 11 has that Win 10 didn’t” LOL