| Con | Details | |-----|---------| | | Microsoft ended the program after Windows 8.1. Keys sold today are likely counterfeit or leftover retail stock. | | Edition-dependent | You could only upgrade within the same architecture (e.g., 64-bit Home → 64-bit Pro). No downgrades or cross-architecture. | | Still required genuine base OS | The original Windows license had to be activated and genuine. | | Pricing wasn’t always logical | Sometimes buying a full Pro license outright was cheaper than an Anytime Upgrade key. |
| Con | Details | |-----|---------| | | Microsoft ended the program after Windows 8.1. Keys sold today are likely counterfeit or leftover retail stock. | | Edition-dependent | You could only upgrade within the same architecture (e.g., 64-bit Home → 64-bit Pro). No downgrades or cross-architecture. | | Still required genuine base OS | The original Windows license had to be activated and genuine. | | Pricing wasn’t always logical | Sometimes buying a full Pro license outright was cheaper than an Anytime Upgrade key. |