Hi, I am finally in a position to upgrade both of my computers from Windows 7 to 11. Yes, both meet the minimum Windows 11 hardware requirements. One of the computers (the one I actually use for flight simming and race simming exclusively) actually has a Windows 7 Pro licence that I purchased retail some years back so under a generous policy on the part of Microsoft, I was thrilled (and amazed) to note that when I loaded Windows 11 on that particular machine, it immediately activated with a digital licence. Although Microsoft was reported to have withdrawn this "offer" late last year, that only applied to people activating Windows 7 Pro anew simply in order to get the free Windows 11 upgrade. If you had already done it well before than like I had, you are good to go. So I already had a digital licence assigned to the mainboard (without me even knowing till I l double checked it!). So that machine is now fully licenced under Windows 11 and I obviously log into that machine with my new Microsoft account as well.

 

so the question relates to the second machine which is still running Windows 7 right at this moment. I have just bought a retail Windows 11 product key from Officeworks last week (the little blue and white box with the cardboard key and the USB drive) for that second machine so I would be activating that using that purchased key rather than a digital licence. What I am unsure about is what happens with my Microsoft account though? Can I use the very same account (as in my new account) on two machines literally at once just so long as I have the two separate licences (which I do)? It isn't going to tell me I cannot be one two machines period or two machines at the same time?

I know I can do this with my Google account but since I have been out of the Windows OS and account loop for more than a decade I am just unsure if it will work the same way and I'd rather know up front if I am going to run into any hitches than discover them along the way! Logic says it should be fine since I would have expected that so long as I had the right number of licences, I could operate as many machines as I wanted to under the one account name just as I can with Google.

 

Thanks

Yes you can use the same account with multiple licenses...in fact there are advantages to doing it that way when networking the machines together.

I would think that there would be no issues using two machines on the same account (as both have a paid and valid key).
However, as MS may have differing requirements for many parts of the world I'd give MS Aus a call and clarify it and maybe even ask them to email you as well. Y' know..."just in case".

 

Yes, I've done this many many times.  There is an advantage to it as well if you use the same account.  It'll save a digital copy of your license so if you ever need to rebuild that machine all you'll need to do it log in and it'll get digitally activated.  I have 3 PC's, 2 Tablets and 1 laptop all done this way under my one microsoft account.

Thanks very much for the replies.

And yes, I am now 100% sold on digital licences. I wish they had been around since the days when any Microsoft software required activation. It is simple, straightforward and the playing field is crystal clear - you buy the mainboard - get the licence to go with it. Thankfully a digital licence these days in real terms costs far less than the boxed edition of Windows did 20 years ago!

Regarding your question about using the same Microsoft account on two machines, it should work fine as long as you have separate licenses, just like with Google accounts. I've had no issues using the same account across multiple devices.

AND! If you're considering switching to Windows 11 Pro, you can find a windows 11 pro retail key here. Good luck!