Windows 7 - Win 7 Key Not Required for Upgrades?

I've done a lot of Windows 7 upgrades for people and I've noticed that I've never had to enter any kind of key when upgrading a properly activated copy of Vista, I think even during clean installs...

Does it activate automatically or is it just a matter of it waiting a week before yelling at you about it?

Hello, Welcome!

It gives you 30 days before it starts shutting down. You will get notifications every day or so until then.

Hope this helps.

Ahh, I figured.

So I guess no chance the key is anywhere on the disc, huh? I've got a legal copy of Windows 7 Ultimate I purchased, but the sleeve with the key has gone missing. I'm more than a little distraught...

If you are skipping the key when installing Windows 7, it needs to be activated at Computer>Properties using the product key.

Call MS to learn what your options are for a lost key. There may be a S/N on the package that allows them to retrieve the key for you.