Downgrade from Ultimate to Professional without a clean install

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  1. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #21

    Isn't downloading an official version the same thing?
    NO, The official trial version is Enterprise.
    Windows 7 Enterprise | Trial, Evaluation, Test, Download
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  2. Posts : 11,269
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #22

    theog said:
    Isn't downloading an official version the same thing?
    NO, The official trial version is Enterprise.
    Windows 7 Enterprise | Trial, Evaluation, Test, Download
    For the official direct download links, there is writing that says
    Without a legally obtained product key however, any Windows 7 installation will only run for a 30 days trial period. Afterwards, it needs to be activated, or the evaluation timer be reset.
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  3. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #23

    Up to 90 days.
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  4.    #24

    writhziden said:

    I was just trying to understand why Microsoft is against lending their DVDs out, but they provide official download links for users to try out the OS.
    It's become pretty evident over the years this is almost entirely to suppress piracy, to make it less prevalent.

    The official Download links are from a 3rd party fulfiller of Win7 Student Discount version. MS has not pressed taking them down while strangely they've vigorously pursued the download links for Repair CD ISO. Since links to installer ISO were being posted regularly on MS tech forums, our cautious Admins allow them now for reinstalls and Repair Install.

    And the Enterprise trial is not meant to be for consumer use at all, nor is it transferrable to a consumer installation or retrievable at all once trial expires.
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  5. Posts : 11,269
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #25

    theog said:
    Up to 90 days.
    I was talking about the links for digitalriver. Most sites that link to the official download links call the 30 day/120 day period an "evaluation period" or "trial period" that requires a product key to be purchased at the end of that period to continue using the OS.
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  6. Posts : 11,269
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #26

    gregrocker said:
    writhziden said:

    I was just trying to understand why Microsoft is against lending their DVDs out, but they provide official download links for users to try out the OS.
    It's become pretty evident over the years this is almost entirely to suppress piracy, to make it less prevalent.

    The official Download links are from a 3rd party fulfiller of Student Discount sku of Win7.

    And the Enterprise trial is not meant to be for consumer use at all, nor is it transferrable to a consumer installation or retrievable at all once trial expires.
    So basically, those links should only be used for valid copies in the first place as is done on these forums for repair installs, clean installs where a license is provided with a OEM computer, etc. They should not be handed out just for trial purposes as that is not their intent. Glad to have cleared that up. :)
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  7.    #27

    Eggsackly. If in doubt ask what version appears on the COA sticker.
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  8. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #28

    ThumperSD said:
    I am doing this because I had to format my laptop and wanted to temporarily use W7 Ultimate without a key. I recently received a 2yr license for Pro through MSDNAA and my university and want to install that instead.

    Put that in your OP and you wouldn`t have to answer. But you are correct you need not explain.
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  9.    #29

    With all due respect to you and OP, AddRAM, when I am giving out a complicated technical workaround for great convenience to OP, I want the questions answered first and to my satisfaction.

    No other tech forums have provided these custom solutions for more users, and all we ask is cooperation. There's been enough backtalk already that most other's would not help further.
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  10. Posts : 11,269
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit
       #30

    gregrocker said:
    Since links to installer ISO were being posted regularly on MS tech forums, our cautious Admins allow them now for reinstalls and Repair Install.
    Thanks for clearing that up, too. I did not know we were allowed to post the links as I have seen postings where gurus said they could not post the direct link due to forum rules. I have also seen a number of gurus post the links, so I was confused as to which was the case. I have gone the route of just telling people what to search for in Google to find them as I would rather be overly cautious than get banned for some misunderstanding...

    Speaking of which, this thread has gone pretty far afield, so I will cut off the conversation now that we have cleared up the licensing issue (which hopefully will be a benefit to the OP and anyone else who stumbles into this thread to know not to borrow copies in the future).
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