Windows 7: Activating Windows 7 Ultimate retail full version

I have read that a retail version of 7 can be transferred from one computer to another given that its totally uninstalled from the first computer. My friend is going to sell me his old copy of Windows 7 Ultimate for a new build I'm doing. Its only been installed once on his computer and it has died and he bought a new laptop now with Windows 8 and no longer needs or wants his copy of 7. My question is can I use it? My concern is if it was originally registered in his name will it activate in my name. I have also read that in some cases you have to call Microsoft for help activating. Will Microsoft give me a hard time because I bought this off a friend and not a retail store?

Hi thegeodeman2005 ... Welcome to SevenForums you might want to look at this link Product Key Number - Uninstall and Deactivate in Windows then install Windows on your computer . Here is a link on how to Activate Windows 7 by Phone

Well I read the tread you posted the link to. I called my friend and he said he did not deactivate it. He said the computer died there was no way he could deactivate it. He has also trashed it.

So I'm guessing this may not work for me? He keeps swearing that it will.

You could try to activate the installation on your computer once it activates then give him the money . Have him be there to see that it goes through . If it fails try activating through the phone . If that doesn't help might want to purchase your own either retail or an OEM x86 or x64 . The retail copies come with both x86 and x64 . But with one key that could activate x86 or x64

That would be the easy thing to do but I have two problems. First problem is he now lives in Maine and I'm in Maryland. The second problem is its for my new build that's not done yet. Only reason I was or am interested in buying it from him was because of my budget and if I could buy his for cheap it would really help me out. I mean he is a trust worthy person he's kind of family. Anyway He said it hasn't been used in over a month that's how long its been since the computer died and he bought the Windows 7 Ultimate from Newegg a while back.

The basic issue is of trust - if you trust him, there should be no problem. The most important thing here is that he stop using that key.

Provided that, the key you bought from him should either
1)activate immmediately
OR
2) you will have to use the automated phone system, which should let you activate seeing the key is not in use on any other machine
OR
3) if 2) does not succeed, choose talking to a human being and explain that you have rebuilt your system (no need to mention the sale at all) and that support person should give you the numbers necessary for activation.

If he continues using that Ultimate though, all bets are off.

I had to re-activate when I received a replacement laptop for the one I returned. The disks make and model changed, and the display brand too, and that, I guess, was enough to warrant a re-activation although the specs did not change. After talking to support, all was well, happily activated ever since.

To properly analyse and solve problems with Activation and Validation, we need to see a full copy of the report produced by the MGADiag tool
(download and save to desktop - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012 )
Once saved, run the tool.
Click on the Continue button, which will produce the report.
To copy the report to your response, click on the Copy button in the tool (ignore any error messages at this point), and then paste (using either r-click/Paste, or Ctrl+V ) into your response.
- **in your own thread**, please

Please also state the Version and Edition of Windows quoted on your COA sticker (if you have one) on the case of your machine (or inside the battery compartment), but do NOT quote the Key on the sticker!
How to Tell

Also, make sure the copy your getting is the retail version, not OEM. Most copies sold are OEM.

OEM is just the DVD with a little book and its a Full Installation. You can't do an upgrade from that disc . The Retail is a DVD case with 2 DVDs x86 and x64 BIT OS and it could be either Upgrade or Full Edition .

Newegg Sells Retails and OEMs. But you living in the east coast you could TigerDirect sells the Windows 7 Ultimate x86 and x64 OEMs for $179.99 .
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64BIT Operating System Software - OEM DVD at TigerDirect.com - x64 ULTIMATE OEM

Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Operating System Software - English, DVD at TigerDirect.com - Windows 7 Ultimate Full Edition


Added : Here you go an upgrade of Windows 7 Ultimate Retail copy for $153.94 http://www.discountmountainsoftware....FU-mPAod51wAiQ

Heads Up: Retail Copies don't come with SP1 . OEMs do .

Wanna bet? My two copies (GLC-00182) have SP1.