Downgrade un-genuine version of Win7 Ultimate to valid Win7HomePremium

tristancook · 27 Mar 2011

Hiya,
I'm really new to this forum so I would love some help.
Recently ,I bought a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate off eBay. Thinking it was real, I installed it onto my laptop which had Windows 7 Home premium.
A message now comes up saying
'This version of windows is not valid, please insert valid key'
I put on my old Windows 7 Home Premium key but a message comes up saying
'The product key you entered will not work with this edition of Windows 7. You must either run Windows 7 setup or enter a Windows 7 Ultimate product key.'
I want to revert it back to Windows 7 Home Premium (which I have a valid product key for)without losing any data.
Thanks in advance,
tristancook

PLEASE HELP ME!!!

UPDATE 25/4/11
If I edit the registry keys and then repair install is it safe or not? Do I need to make a system restore? Or is there any way that microsoft can help me.
Thanks

Mike Connor · 27 Mar 2011

See here;

Startup Repair

Buying stuff like that from "unknown" vendors is always a risk.

Regards....Mike Connor

Ageeb · 27 Mar 2011

What did Ultimate provide for you that Home Premium didn't? (curious...)

You won't be able to downgrade, but instead try to do a system restore from a factory created partition, or discs you've hopefully created. Use the laptop manufacturers website and your laptop manual for details on the restore.

gregrocker · 27 Mar 2011

Unfortunately, while we can easily UPgrade within Win7 versions using Anytime Upgrade, MS wants us to clean reinstall if we downgrade.

However there is a popular workaround by which many beta testers switched from Ultimate to their purchased version of Win7. It works by tricking the installer into thinking it is doing an always-allowed same version Repair Install when it is reallly changing the version while reinstalling the OS, as a Repair Install does while keeping all programs files and settings in place.

To do this, back up your files and a Win7 backup image if you want a path back if needed. Then set a System Restore Point - Create, run regedit as Admin to change the two keys shown below to exactly HOMEPREMIUM for the EditionID, and Windows 7 HOMEPREMIUM for the ProductName:

Downgrade un-genuine version of Win7 Ultimate to valid Win7HomePremium-regkeys.png

Now run the Win7 Home Premium DVD or extracted ISO files from the desktop as shown in the Repair Install tutorial. If you need to unlock all versions in your Ultimate installer, extract the ISO using ImgBurn, run the Ei.cfg Removal Utility to unlock all version, then burn to DVD or extract or mount the ISO to run Repair Install. Be sure to select Home Premium version. Activate with the key on COA sticker.

Mike Connor · 27 Mar 2011

Ageeb said:

What did Ultimate provide for you that Home Premium didn't? (curious...)

You won't be able to downgrade, but instead try to do a system restore from a factory created partition, or discs you've hopefully created. Use the laptop manufacturers website and your laptop manual for details on the restore.

Windows 7 Pricing Buy Install Choose Edition Features Upgrades Offers

Regards....Mike Connor

agathanggeloua · 15 Mar 2015

gregrocker said:

Unfortunately, while we can easily UPgrade within Win7 versions using Anytime Upgrade, MS wants us to clean reinstall if we downgrade.

However there is a popular workaround by which many beta testers switched from Ultimate to their purchased version of Win7. It works by tricking the installer into thinking it is doing an always-allowed same version Repair Install when it is reallly changing the version while reinstalling the OS, as a Repair Install does while keeping all programs files and settings in place.

To do this, back up your files and a Win7 backup image if you want a path back if needed. Then set a System Restore Point - Create, run regedit as Admin to change the two keys shown below to exactly HOMEPREMIUM for the EditionID, and Windows 7 HOMEPREMIUM for the ProductName:

Now run the Win7 Home Premium DVD or extracted ISO files from the desktop as shown in the Repair Install tutorial. If you need to unlock all versions in your Ultimate installer, extract the ISO using ImgBurn, run the Ei.cfg Removal Utility to unlock all version, then burn to DVD or extract or mount the ISO to run Repair Install. Be sure to select Home Premium version. Activate with the key on COA sticker.

I've had the same issue with my computer, the preinstalled Win7 Home premium 64bit upgraded to Ultimate but I don't have a key so I want to revert it. I tried this workaround but it still came up with the "You can't downgrade from Ultimate" when I tried to do a repair install from the disc?

AddRAM · 15 Mar 2015

Why did you upgrade/install Ultimate without a key ?

For kicks, boredom ?

Did you create the dvd to re install Home Premium yet ?

Why is Home Premium listed as your Operating System in your specs if you have Ultimate installed ?

agathanggeloua · 15 Mar 2015

Same as the OP, dodgy buy off eBay :/

I have been using the home premium CD that came with my PC, it takes me to the upgrade/reinstall page, but when I click upgrade it gives me the "Ultimate can't be upgraded to Home Prem" compatibility report.

Well home premium is what I own so I put that, it's currently running an inactivated Ultimate x64 SP1 if that helps?

AddRAM · 15 Mar 2015

You have to boot from the HP dvd and do a clean install to wipe out Ultimate, you don`t choose upgrade, you choose custom, then drive options, then format your install partition.

Clean Install Windows 7

Step #6

agathanggeloua · 15 Mar 2015

Why cant I do that workaround? I'd really rather not have to do a clean install..