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Generic key to install Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 8

There are often times when you need to install Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 for evaluation or testing in a virtual machine like VirtualBox for example. You may not want to activate it every time with your licensed product key that you use on a real machine. For that purpose, you can use generic keys from Microsoft, which will allow you to install the OS, but won't allow you to activate it. As long as you have an ISO image containing Windows Setup files you can install the OS using a generic key. If you used Windows 7, you might remember you could install it without a key. Generic keys for Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 8
 serve the same purpose.

Generic key for Windows 10

There are two generic keys available for Windows 10 at this moment. One is for the standard edition and the other is for the Enterprise edition.

These keys are as follows:

  • Windows 10 Home: 
    TX9XD-98N7V-6WMQ6-BX7FG-H8Q99
  • WIndows 10 Pro: 
    VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
  • Windows 10 Home Single Language 
    7HNRX-D7KGG-3K4RQ-4WPJ4-YTDFH
  • Windows 10 Enterprise: 
    NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43

Generic key for Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 has four different editions including Windows 8.1 RT, Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows 8.1 Enterprise. Here are generic keys for basic and Pro editions of Windows 8.1:

  • Windows 8.1 standard/non-Pro edition: 
    334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
  • Windows 8.1 Pro: 
    XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
  • Windows 8 Pro with Media Center: 
    GBFNG-2X3TC-8R27F-RMKYB-JK7QT

Generic key for Windows 8

The RTM release of Windows 8 was available in the following editions: Windows RT, Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise.
Use the following product keys for them:

  • Windows 8 standard/non-Pro edition: 
    FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3
  • Windows 8 Pro: 
    XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH
  • Windows 8 Pro with Media Center: 
    RR3BN-3YY9P-9D7FC-7J4YF-QGJXW

Remember, these keys can only install Windows for evaluation or testing for a short time. It's not possible to activate it unless you enter a genuine key purchased from Microsoft. Once you decide to activate your installed OS, you will need to change the generic product key to the actual key you purchased. 

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