You can no longer activate new Windows 11 builds with Windows 7 or 8 keys; maybe last chance to activate using Windows 7 or 8 keys, for 22H2.

Raisin8659@monyet.cc to Technology@lemmy.world – 411 points –
You can no longer activate new Windows 11 builds with Windows 7 or 8 keys
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OEM keys are linked to motherboards I believe. Mine is a retail key and I've used it across many different builds over the years.

Keys are usually stored in the TPM chip and/or tied to Microsoft accounts if you use one. If you don't have an account, there's actually a limit to how often a key can activate new hardware. If there's no TPM, there's simply a limit within a certain timeframe that it can be used to activate on the same hardware.

Retail keys can also be linked to the hardware or Microsoft account