Windows 7 - Windows 7 License Key and custom Install

Hi guys I installed Windows 7 Professional 64 bit on my home computer with a clean install from Vista Home 64 bit which I was using. Unfortunately the license key I got was already in use which means I only have 27 days until it expires. I was wondering since I do not have a valid Windows 7 install on my computer, can I buy another upgrade version and do another clean install of it or does it look for the licence key of the previous version in the install process? I also do not have my Vista disk either so I cant revert back.

Any help would be welcome as I do not want to buy a full non upgrade version of Windows 7 but will if I have to.

No need to reinstall, Just get a valid key and use it. The CDs are all the same. If you have it installed, all you need is a valid key to begin enjoying.

Activation Trial Period - Extend Up to 120 Days

EDIT: Dwarfs statement about the editions not being interchangeable is correct. I just assumed that fact in my post. We all know what happens when we assume.

A license key (aka product key) is only valid for the edition it was intended for (i.e. home premium, professional, ultimate, etc). It is not interchangeable between editions. In other words, a key intended for home premium will not activate ultimate or professional. You can use the same product key to activate either the 32-bit or 64-bit version of the edition it is intended for, but only one can be used with a single key. If you wish to install both versions, then you will need to purchase a separate key.

Hello Tartarus, welcome to Seven Forums!





Here are a couple tutorials at the links below you may care to have a look at.


Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

So right now I have Professional 64 bit installed, I can go out and buy an upgrade version of that same Professional 64 bit and simply type the product key from that into this version and it will work fine?

If that is the case thanks you have been very help and this website is great.

Yes you can
The DVD just sets up the system. You must use the key to activate. So is you have the Edition that you want, just buy a key and activate.

It can even be done by phone
Activate Windows 7 by Phone

Right just to be doubly sure before I buy anything, all I need is the product key of an edition of windows which is the same as the one I am now running which is Windows 7 Professional 64 bit. It doesn't matter if the one I am running now was a full or upgrade version all I need is the product key of an upgrade version of Windows 7 Professional 64 bit and it should activate the one I am now running. Is this correct?

When you bought the bad key, what did you have on your system?
Was it activated?
Were you entitled to an upgrade when you bought the bad key?

I had Windows Vista Home 64 bit which was activated and then could not up grade to Windows 7 Professional 64 bit so I did a clean install using a version (not sure if it was full or upgrade) which I got from a site provided by my College which had a key that was already used.

What I was trying to say is that is there any difference between a full or upgrade Window 7 Professional 64 bit key?

Sorry about this I am kinda confused as to how the version work.

I cant get a Windows 7 Home CD but what I want to know is if I buy a retail upgrade version of Windows 7 Professional 64 bit can I use that key in my now running version of Windows 7 Professional 64 bit (which had the bad key) regards if it was a full or upgrade disk that I used to install it?