Windows 7 Ultimate Promotional Version

This was given out at a launch party. Does anyone know if this carries the same certificate of authenticity as the retail version? And if you installed it, does it work exactly the same as if you had installed a retail version?

Hello wse7en, welcome to the Seven Forums.

Are you talking about Windows 7 Ultimate Signature Edition? It is a full 32-bit Seven Ultimate, completely same and working just as the full retail version

The Launch Party Kit included also a 64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate Full Retail (with Anytime Upgrade) DVD. The key found inside the Signature Edition cover can be used to activate either the 32-bit or the 64-bit version. You can not activate and use both at the same time or on two different computers.

I installed my Launch Party Ultimate to a HTPC. Works just fine.

Also other Windows 7 DVD's given out at different launch events are fully working retail versions. You can install and use them as any other retail version. In some events only the 32-bit version was given.

Kari

Kari said:

Hello wse7en, welcome to the Seven Forums.

You are talking about Windows 7 Ultimate Signature Edition. It is a full 32-bit Seven Ultimate, completely same and working just as the full retail version

The Launch Party Kit included also a 64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate Anytime Upgrade DVD. The key found inside the Signature Edition cover can be used to activate either the 32-bit or the 64-bit version. You can not activate and use both at the same time or on two different computers.

I installed my Launch Party Ultimate to a HTPC. Works just fine.

Kari

Click to expand...

Thanks for the welcome!

I'm aware of the signature edition, but this one doesn't have the gold band on the front with Ballmer's signature. It looks exactly like the normal cover for a retail product, except the top left corner has a small "Not For Resale" note.

That sounds like the version a lot of other users got at the events in different locations. Those have all worked just like the retail version. Enjoy

DocBrown said:

That sounds like the version a lot of other users got at the events in different locations. Those have all worked just like the retail version. Enjoy

Click to expand...

That's good. So at least it works.
In particular, however, does it lack a certificate of authenticity? Anyone with first hand experience or knowledge?

If it does lack a COA, does that mean it's not genuine? And that I won't be able to get some updates from Microsoft that require the OS to be genuine? Or does it not matter if it has a COA? What does a COA allow you to do anyway?

wse7en said:

DocBrown said:

That sounds like the version a lot of other users got at the events in different locations. Those have all worked just like the retail version. Enjoy

Click to expand...

That's good. So at least it works.
In particular, however, does it lack a certificate of authenticity? Anyone with first hand experience or knowledge?

If it does lack a COA, does that mean it's not genuine? And that I won't be able to get some updates from Microsoft that require the OS to be genuine? Or does it not matter if it has a COA? What does a COA allow you to do anyway?

Click to expand...

As long as it has the Key Code (Serial # ) for installation you should be set to GO !