Windows 7 Pirated version to Legit Win 7 Pro

[ncimike3]

I have a computer with a Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit operatiing system. I have taken hours setting it up only to find out that the win 7 product key was already used on another computer in my office. I have an unused Win Professional 7 64-bit I want to use. I tried simply using the new product key but of course it wouldn't take it becuase it is associated with "Pro" not "Ultimate". I don't want to do a wipe out my HD and do a clean install and undo the hours of work setting this computer up. What is the solution? Thanks in advance.

 

[CarlTR6]

I strongly suggest you reformat and do an clean install of Win 7. You do not how the pirated version has been hacked or what little "goodies" may be hidden there. You will save yourself a lot of grief with a clean install.

 

[pparks1]

I strongly suggest you reformat and do an clean install of Win 7. You do not how the pirated version has been hacked or what little "goodies" may be hidden there. You will save yourself a lot of grief with a clean install.

I couldn't agree more. I wouldn't use this computer for 1 second longer than I actually had to.

 

[Thorsen]

You will not loose much from Ultimate to Pro, but it is better to go clean. uninstall and wipe (zero-out) the hard-drive. This advice is because a lot of the hacked versions that were put up on torrents contained malware/trojans/etc. Your computer might be safe and clean, but there is still a risk. It is going to be much safer than sticking with your current setup. Unless you know where the pirated software came from, I would not trust it.

I also don't think there is a way around to go from Ultimate to Pro. I know you can do an in place upgrade from pro to ultimate, but the reverse I think is not doable.

you might be able to make a backup and then restore files from the backup into your fresh installation, but I think the programs will still need to be re-installed on a fresh installation

 

[Thorsen]

Good show Carl and pparks, I agree with you both. I just take too long to post.

 

[Petey7]

Usually pirated copies come with the viruses preinstalled so you don't have to worry about getting them later. Although this is convenient, the thought of having no viruses sounds much better. Remember the settings you've changed then wipe it using the methods described here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html?

 

[Dwarf]

Very well put, and excellent advice everyone. If you have a pirated version of the OS (or, indeed, any OS), the chances are that you will have some form of malware installed at the same time. Some of this will be detectable, but some might not. The only safe option here is to do a clean reinstall, using a genuine and legitimate version of the OS.

 

[theog]

+1 to all who posted.

 

[ncimike3]

Actually I just realized that I was misinformed. it wasn't pirated. It had a legitimate Win 7 Ultimate installed. The problem is that I don't own a product key to authorize the computer because the install dvd was used on another machine months ago and the product key is in use. I do own a good product key for win 7 64 bit "Professional". Does this change anything?

 

[Thorsen]

Probably not. It does mean you don't have to worry about malware, but you still can not go from Ultimate to Pro. Not as far as I know.

 

[Petey7]

I always wondered if their was something in the registry for this kind of thing. All I can think of is maybe an upgrade install, but I don't know if you can do that. I doubt it for going from ultimate to pro.

 

[gregrocker]

Actually I just realized that I was misinformed. it wasn't pirated. It had a legitimate Win 7 Ultimate installed. The problem is that I don't own a product key to authorize the computer because the install dvd was used on another machine months ago and the product key is in use. I do own a good product key for win 7 64 bit "Professional". Does this change anything?

Putting "Pirated" in your headline (even erroneously) is like yelling fire in this theater and somewhat reckless, so please tell us where the Ultimate installer and your Professional Product key were obtained.

If you know that the installer is legitimately obtained and therefore safe to use, you can indeed change from Ultimate to Professional to use your Pro Product Key, employing a popular workaround used by many to change successfully from the RC to retail Win7.

Unlock Win7 Professional version in your Ultimate Installer if necessary by extracting the ISO using ImgBurn, then run the ei.cfg removal tool to unlock all versions, burn to DVD.

Change the two registry keys exactly as shown below which tricks the installer into thinking it is doing an always-allowed same version Repair Install:



Once the keys are changed to read exactly as they do here, back up your files and a Win7 Backup Image externally, run a Professional Upgrade install from Ultimate desktop, then activate at Computer>Properties with your Pro key.

 

[ncimike3]

That is what I was looking for. Thank you

 

[gregrocker]

After some question about whether the workaround is still possible, I tried it myself today on my Win7 Ultimate Signature Edition and it worked fine:

 

[cluberti]

It is not possible to "downgrade" with a product key, so as unfortunate as it may be, you're going to have to install Win7 Professional on that PC to activate it with a Win7 Professional key.

 

[alphanumeric]

After some question about whether the workaround is still possible, I tried it myself today on my Win7 Ultimate Signature Edition and it worked fine:

I've done it also to go back to Home Premium from Ultimate. It took a while but it worked. I did get a not genuine watermark at first, but once I activated with my original Home Premium product code all was fine and legal again.