Microsoft has deactivated some Windows 10 and 11 upgrades that were previously obtained for free through Windows 7 or 8.
The loophole that allowed the free upgrade to Windows 10 and then Windows 11 from Windows 7 or 8 has been closed by Microsoft. However, this has led to the deactivation of the license key for those who previously took advantage of the free upgrade offer.
For instance, if you owned a PC with Windows 7, upgraded to Windows 10 for free when it came out, and then further upgraded to Windows 11, you may have found that your license key is suddenly deactivated since the loophole was closed. This has been a frustration for some users, leading to complaints on platforms like Reddit.
It appears that the deactivation may have occurred after a hardware component upgrade or even a simple BIOS update. Microsoft customer support has acknowledged the issue and is investigating the reports.
The deactivation of the license key is unexpected, as upgrading components within the same PC should not affect the license. Microsoft is looking into this issue and advises customers experiencing technical difficulties to contact customer support.
While Windows can be used without activating the OS, there are significant limitations. Not being able to customize the operating system, missing out on updates, and dealing with watermarks and pop-ups are just a few of the drawbacks. Microsoft’s investigation will hopefully resolve these issues for affected users.
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