Install RTM, then activate w/ key in October?

Yes. Of course that is correct however the RTM is what will be released in the retail box on October 22 so if you have access to technet and want to use the image and wait until keys arrive there is nothing legally stopping you. The reason for not using the technet keys is that they are not meant for personal use.

Therefore the original poster obviously had access to the RTM but wanted to take advantage of the rearm until his "personal" keys came. MS has no issue with this at all, it is obviously a good promotion of Windows 7. What we wanted to know that if a legitimate upgrade was done, would he just paste his keys in to the activate box come October 22 and be on his merry MS way?

So in conclusion he is trying to do the right thing as far as licence goes but use the legitimate rearm process available. This question will be a big one as people are excited about windows 7 and I have not been able to find a statement from MS about this exact scenario.

However reading this post the answer appears to be yes but it is an educated guess.

ok, ttremeth hit the op's scenario head on from what i read.

now i got a fanciful question i'd like to ask. i think this approach would be a much easier approach than swapping keys and whatnot: assuming everything i have is legit (which it is, including a legal older copy of windows), can i do an upgrade install of windows 7 home premium on TOP of that said windows 7 home premium AND keep all of my old settings using the said legit upgrade key? i have a new computer and an unused xp key. i don't feel like clean installing in a month and a half.

hell, i'll make the question even easier: can i upgrade windows 7 with windows 7 w/o a clean install? the upgrade chart ms provided neglected to mention that scenario.

ok that clears everything up, then. i guess i'll try not to get too cozy with xp in the next 6 weeks. thanks!

What is the difference between a Windows 7 Default Product Key and a Product Key?

Thanks for the info Guys.