I already have win 7 Ult. 64 bit installed but Technet running out. I am wanting to buy the below disc and license key. I am just wanting to replace my current technet key with this one. Can I just replace the key or do I have to re-install.
Buy Windows Pro 7 SP1 OEM 64-32 bIT key-codes from Microsoft, FQC-08289-DL
Not positive, but I think keys only work for one version. That one would activate Pro 7 SP1.
You say you are "wanting to buy the below disc".
From the description, I don't think its a disc. I think it's just a key.
My guess would be that if he can downgrade, he could use this Pro 7 key to activate the downgraded version.
But I'm not clear if the OP wants to downgrade.
He says he wants to buy the disk. That implies to me that he is willing to downgrade. But I don't think that product is a disk. I could be wrong.
I know there is such a thing as a "universal installation disk", but I think you still need a version-specific key.
And I don't know if downgrading is compatible with a technet Ultimate and how technet installations react to an OEM product key.
I'd be nervous about it.
It's definitely a key and not a CD.
From the link
Windows Pro 7 SP1 Full OEM works for 64-Bit or 32-bit EMAIL-KEY-CODE must have the installation DVD in hand in order to install the software.Thats the part I was wondering about myself. Im not up to date on all the OEM stuff. Its a slippery slope.And I don't know if downgrading is compatible with a technet Ultimate and how technet installations react to an OEM product key.
There is a workaround that was popular for those transitioning from beta to paid retail which worked surprisingly well, never any complaints. It's here: Windows 7 Downgrade - Windows 7 Help Forums.
In this case you'd change the reg key shown exactly as its shown in the screenshot, then run the Professional installer to do a Repair Install.
I posted the link to the Pro version. I didn't want to do anything but change the key. Here is the one I wanted to get. I am just trying to avoid re-installing.
Buy Windows Ultimate 7 SP1 OEM 64-bit or 32-Bit key codes from Microsoft, GLC-02389-DL
By the way, thanks for all the assistance.
Just changing the key has never been an option to change versions with Windows except in an Anytime Upgrade to a higher version.
Since you have Ultimate you'd have to either reinstall Professional or do the Repair Install workaround to change the versions, which at least allows you to keep in place all of your files, programs and settings. Then you would change the key.
Keep in mind that this hasn't been tried here that I've seen for several years so MS may have blocked it with an Update. It will be interesting to see if it still works. When we first began suggesting it there was concern that it would result in an inferior install given all of the telemetry loaded into beta, but there were only good reports.
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