When it comes to upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, many users have concerns about how their licenses will be affected. It's important to understand the behavior of licenses during this process and what happens if you decide to revert back to Windows 10. In this article, we will explain the license behavior when upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and reverting back.
Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11
When you upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, your existing Windows 10 license will be converted to a Windows 11 license. This means that you don't need to purchase a new license for Windows 11 if you already have a genuine copy of Windows 10.
During the upgrade process, your Windows 10 product key will be automatically converted to a digital license for Windows 11. This digital license is tied to your hardware, which means that it will be linked to the specific device you are upgrading.
It's worth noting that not all devices are eligible for the Windows 11 upgrade. There are certain hardware requirements that need to be met in order to install Windows 11. If your device doesn't meet these requirements, you won't be able to upgrade to Windows 11 and your Windows 10 license will remain intact.
Reverting back to Windows 10
If you decide to revert back to Windows 10 after upgrading to Windows 11, you have a few options depending on the situation:
- If you revert within the first 10 days of upgrading to Windows 11, you can easily roll back using the built-in recovery options. Your Windows 10 license will be restored, and you can continue using Windows 10 as before.
- If you revert after the 10-day rollback period, you will need to perform a clean installation of Windows 10 using a valid Windows 10 product key. This means that you will need to have a separate Windows 10 license or product key available.
It's important to note that when you revert back to Windows 10, the digital license for Windows 11 will be invalidated. This means that you won't be able to use the same digital license to upgrade to Windows 11 again in the future.
Conclusion
When upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, your existing Windows 10 license will be converted to a Windows 11 license. You don't need to purchase a new license for Windows 11 if you already have a genuine copy of Windows 10. However, if you decide to revert back to Windows 10 after upgrading, you will need a separate Windows 10 license or product key.
It's always a good idea to check the hardware requirements for Windows 11 before deciding to upgrade. If your device is not eligible for the upgrade, it's best to stick with Windows 10 and continue receiving updates and support for your current license.
References
| Source | Link |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Support - Upgrade to Windows 11: FAQ | https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/upgrade-to-windows-11-faq-4f2f7395-c7b4-4d5f-8685-468f0f9dcbf0 |
| Microsoft Support - Windows 11 Specifications | https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications-5168d61b-2a99-4c8c-a678-8668f85d9f8d |