Registration question regarding Windows 7

I'm wondering if anyone knows an answer to regarding the registration of Windows 7 when it's finally released October 22nd.

I built a new PC and was going to install a copy of Windows XP Pro and then upgrade to Windows 7 Business Pro when it came out. In fact I have already pre-purchased my copy of Windows 7 when the discounted limited time offer was made available. Instead of installing XP I installed Windows 7 pro RTM that was made available to me by a Technet subscriber that wasn't going to use his avaiable copy. What this Technet subscriber suggested was to not register Windows 7 RTM and keep rearming it until I get my retail copy. At that point it was suggested that I could simply use the License key that came with the retail copy and register the RTM version without having to reinstall Windows 7.

At this point I have Windows 7 running with a very limited suite of software installed but I would like to begin the process of moving software and data from my real day-to-day workhorse PC to my new PC. If I can use the retail key on the RTM I would start the migration process today but I'm concerned that if I do so, there will be some catch and I'll have to wipe the drive and install the retail copy anyway. Can anyone tell me if I'll be able to do this (use my retail key to register the installed RTM version)?

MD

If the version you have installed and the version you pre-ordered are the same AND you got the full retail version you Should be able to use the pre-ordered serial. Disclaimer: No one knows for sure but I would think MS would not want to alienate a whole class of users

Ken

what you have registered with a Tech-net key and you want to re register using a retail key?

Bare Foot Kid said:

He has the RTM installed and when his retail key arrives he wants to activate it with that.

And that should work just fine as far as I know. I believe that a lot of people have done the same thing.

ken9122 said:

sorry, i was trying to ask :What if you have an install registered with a Tech-net key and you want to re register using a retail key?
should read my posts before posting.

If it's already activated, why not just leave it alone?