Windows 7: Win 7 Activation

Is there going to be anywhere to purchase a key for the RTM?? And no I don't mean Technet subscriptions where you have to pay $1000. How long is the RTM good for without a key?

You get a key when you buy the retail package. You can re-arm and use Windows 7 w/o a key for 90-120 days.

In the US, a Technet subscription costs about $250 to $350 depending on whether or not you have a discount code. The renewal is $250. The keys are good forever...

Unless you have Technet (in which case you would be able to get a key on Aug 6, you will have to wait until Oct 22 to buy a retail key, however, you can pre-order but you still won't get the key delivered until around Oct 22nd.

You can use the RTM unactivated, by rearming every 30 days for a total of 120 days, which should get you to the time when you can obtain a legal key to activate it.

No, there is not. The RTM is NOT released to the public.
The GA version will be available starting
October 22nd. TechNet and MSDN (and some others) get it on August 6th.

As for buying a Key, you get that when you buy Windows 7. I don't believe you can buy JUST a key (unless you have TechNet, but you can still DL it).

ANY version of windows can be used for 30 days without activation. You can also re-arm the activation two more times, so you can get up to 120 days.

~Lordbob

When I said "buy a key" I meant buying the retail package that comes with the install media and a key. Since the installation media will be all over the net, the important part, and what you are really paying for, is the key that, yes, comes with the media. I didn't feel the need to spell that out.

This is what I was asking elsewhere on the forum, about whether a retail key can be used with the RTM install.

I thought so, but its hard to tell for sure (and some don't know, so you always assume they don't).

The RTM *IS* the General Release, BUT it is the one that TechNet (IT Pros) get, so it is slightly different in terms of exact build and such.
You can't buy the RTM from a store, but the Key will activate ANY 7600 build (and maybe some others, but I doubt it).

~Lordbob

Honestly, if you grabbed your copy from a torrent site?

You are better off reinstalling what you receive on disk with the retail material.

Torrent D/L's you take your own risk.
Me, I'll be reloading when I receive the media.

The only exception in my opinion is if you get it direct from TechNet or someone gave you a copy direct from technet.

Just cause a Torrent says it is, even if all the hashes on the net match (which I have seen vary from site to site, and which source do you trust?), doesn't mean it is.

I personally am sticking with the build I have till I purchase it off the shelf.
Although a technet subscription is not a bad idea, considering you have access to everything microsoft.

I'll be waiting for SP1 release, meanwhile I'll be sticked with the testing version, and when it expires, I'll get back to XP no Vista, not because compatibility, nor bugs, but the fcking problem of the early coming of SP1 and the patches and updates that it receives from disc 1 (No service Pack) to disc 2 (Service Pack 1) if you know what I mean.


Right now, yes, for me is the best OS these guys have expelled out