Can I use me laptop install disk with a purchased Key Code?

herkulese · 19 Oct 2012

I have an older desktop that I want to upgrade to Win7 (Clean Install).

I also have a new Samsung laptop that came with a Win7 Home Premium 64bit SP1 install disk, which I used to do a clean system install on the laptop. I also have full C:Partition images to go back to at any time I need to.

Now, my question is this: If I purchase a license key, can I install Win 7 on my desktop system, using the disk that came with my laptop, and then activate it with the new license key?

tom982 · 19 Oct 2012

Hello herkulese and welcome to the forums

Although you can use OEM keys with retail discs, I don't think it works the other way round (someone might correct me though!).

You can just download an ISO of Windows 7 from here:

Windows 7 Direct Download Links

Make sure the version you download matches your product key. Also, download one with (media refresh) in the name as it has SP1 integrated.

Tom

herkulese · 19 Oct 2012

Thanks Tom,

I went and looked and sure enough it is there, and downloading (Win7 64bit Home Premium SP1). It is huge and looks like a 3 hour download.

Now, I am all for this, but how is it Kosher to download these images for free, and only pay for the license key?

EDIT: I havn't bottomed out with NewEgg but I called my local Staples store, and found out that the License Key Cards that they have are for doing anytime upgrades.

According to the Staples rep, all versions of Windows exist on a computer that has even a Win 7 Starter version installed on it. The anytime upgrade card opens up, or allows acces, to the version that the card is noted as.

That means that it is not a license key in the sense that I thought it was. NewEgg is prabably the same situation.

I should probably just buy an OEM for 99 bucks from NewEgg and be done with it.

tom982 · 19 Oct 2012

herkulese said:

Thanks Tom,

I went and looked and sure enough it is there, and downloading (Win7 64bit Home Premium SP1). It is huge and looks like a 3 hour download.

Now, I am all for this, but how is it Kosher to download these images for free, and only pay for the license key?

Great :) Yeah, it's a big file so it might take a while - dependent on the connection. Mine would have that in about 5 minutes if I'm lucky

It's completely legal, those links are to the DigitalRiver servers - which is Microsoft's official distribution partner. Even if you didn't have a key, it would be okay to download those ISOs as you could use it as a trial for 30 days.

Tom

herkulese · 19 Oct 2012

Turns out that the license Key from Staples are for doing an "Anytime Upgrade" to an existing install of Windows.
I did find a site with actual licenses for $83, so in the end I may as well just get an OEM from NewEgg for $99.

NoelDP · 20 Oct 2012

Chances are that any site offering lower prices than NewEgg is going to be selling counterfeits.

Advice on Safe Software Shopping (revised 4/10/2011)

NoelDP · 20 Oct 2012

cf. Can I use me laptop install disk with a purchased Key Code? - Tech Support Forum

herkulese · 20 Oct 2012

NoelDP said:

Chances are that any site offering lower prices than NewEgg is going to be selling counterfeits.

Agreed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Besides, the $83.00 only pays for a Key Code.
$99.00 at NewEgg pays for a full OEM version of the software.
You can't get direct support from MicroSoft, but you do get all the updates, and I have never gone directly to them for support anyway.

Done and Done!!!!!!!!!!!!!