Windows 7 Pirated version to Legit Win 7 Pro

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.

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.

CarlTR6 said:

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.

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

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

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: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

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.

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.