Can you use a Windows 7 Ultimate key on Pro?

[SUPA FRANKY]

I recently got screwed on a Windows 7 Pro 64 that I bought on eBay. 5 Months after purchase it says its not genuine. Microsoft wont do anything. So I was able to get a Windows 7 Ultimate NFR copy through Microsoft Expert Zone (I work retail) for $15. So I wanted to know if I can just use the Key I get on Pro... or will I have to do a full reinstall. I personally dont care for the extras Ultimate gives... I just dont want to reinstall if I dont have to. Thanks all.

 

[pebbly]

Hi SUPA FRANKY, Welcome to the forums and Happy New Year to you , you can only use the key for the product it was intended for Ult-Ult , Pro-Pro etc you would be better off doing a clean install of ultimate in the long run

 

[alphanumeric]

You could try entering your Ultimate key in the anytime upgrade. If it is accepted it will upgrade your pro install to ultimate without affecting any installed programs or having to re-install windows. Just type anytime upgrade in the search box. You have to go to ultimate anyway and this might save you from having to reinstall.

 

[gregrocker]

If that fails you can use the popular workaround used by many beta testers to migrate from beta to paid retail version. It works either up or downgrading. You make a Registry change which tricks the installer into thinking it is doing a same-version http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R which is always allowed.

In your case you would back up your files, set a Restore point, then change the Registry Keys shown below to Ultimate and Windows 7 Ultimate:

Then run the Ultimate DVD from desktop, select Upgrade install, resolve any conflicts presented, agree to stay connected on the Internet to get latest updates/drivers into installer, allow Upgrade to complete, Activate at Computer>Properties with your Ultimate key.

 

[SUPA FRANKY]

Thanks guys! Ill give those 2 try! ^_^

 

[allend66]

Hi, just a question about ebay - can't you claim against the seller? You'll have records and if they're selling counterfeit or bogus goods you should get compensation.

Regards
D

 

[gregrocker]

I agree you should pursue this with eBay no matter how much time has passed. Ask them if they want to be put on record here abetting sales of counterfeit software. If they aren't cooperative, contact local authorties to report the theft and get a referral to the appropriate agency.

 

[Ztruker]

This happened 5 moths after purchase?

That's very strange as it doesn't take MS that long to determine you have a non-legitimate copy. Sounds to me like a problem others have reported here and elsewhere when the legit check reports a perfectly legitimate copy of Windows 7 to be illegal. Normally a call to MS resolves this.

What did MS say about yours? Did they say it was illegal or an OEM version for a different brand? Very curious what happened.

 

[gregrocker]

The issue with eBay keys as reported here is illegal use of TechNet or MSDN keys meant for subscribers only: Blocked Product Keys

Did MS rule out the possibility that you received a false-positive for installed Update KB971033 which detects activation exploits?

 

[SUPA FRANKY]

MSDN subscription is what it was I believe... they said my Key was legit but not for home use and was a subscription for Microsoft networks or something like that. Thats why it took 5 months till it stopped working. But I just called again and they now said its not MSDN and it was a Microsoft product. They change there mind every call and are useless.

And eBay wont do anything at all other then look into the guys account. They were pretty useless. And PayPal can only send a friendly letter asking to give me a refund... no force so that wont happen.

EDIT:

Now they ARE saying its MSDN and meant for Technet and Microsoft emps... man...

 

[gregrocker]

If MS Customer Service says the key is a legal retail key, they should open a tech support case to help you get it activated.

What is the exact error you get when you try to reactivate with the key now at Computer>Properties activation link?

 

[SUPA FRANKY]

 

[gregrocker]

See if you can run slmgr -rearm to get it set back to 30 days for activation. This may be re-upped normally five times up to 180 days. If not, run a http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R to reset activation so you can have as much of this time as is needed to acquire a replacement key.

The best deal out there right now is Home Premium Upgrade Family 3-pack for $125 on Amazon and newegg.com. You can share the key with friends and family, but I would guard the key myself.

Sorry you experienced this. If it make it any easier, the billionaire CEO of eBay used some of the money from these pirate keys which were sold to try to buy the governorship of California and lost it all in defeat.

 

[SUPA FRANKY]

Well im good for another 2 weeks. And I ordered a Ultimate NFR copy from Microsoft and that will be in on the ninth.

 

[jibam]

hai..

I new in here...
I have laptop acer aspire 4730z and running with window vista home premium x32 and want to upgrade to window 7 ultimate x32

Just want to comfirm....
if I choose upgade...did I need to reinstall back all my driver...
because I heard that win 7 already have automatically install driver for laptop or pc

 

[jibam]

hai..

I new in here...
I have laptop acer aspire 4730z and running with window vista home premium x32 and want to upgrade to window 7 ultimate x32

Just want to comfirm....
if I choose upgade...did I need to reinstall back all my driver...
because I heard that win 7 already have automatically install driver for laptop or pc

 

[cluberti]

If you purchase and use an "anytime upgrade" key from the Microsoft store, it actually simply unlocks the additional features and adds components required for these automatically - no reinstall or setup required.

 

[alphanumeric]

hai..

I new in here...
I have laptop acer aspire 4730z and running with window vista home premium x32 and want to upgrade to window 7 ultimate x32

Just want to comfirm....
if I choose upgade...did I need to reinstall back all my driver...
because I heard that win 7 already have automatically install driver for laptop or pc

Download and run the windows 7 upgrade adviser and it will tell you if your hardware is supported or needs drivers that are not included in the windows install media. Download details: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

 

[SUPA FRANKY]

Well, I sent a ebay email to the seller and said I would contact the authorities and a lawyer if I didn't receive a refund. He contacted me via normal email saying he is sorry it didn't work and asked to email a screen shot of what it says (same one I posted) and he sent a new WINDOWS PRO KEY to me via email... I tried that new key and it says it isnt GENUINE lol!

 

[gregrocker]

I'd email seller again to report what has happened with his keys.

Let him know this is being aired in the most popular tech forum on the net which is monitored closely by MS, and you are being advised to contact the authorities to prosecute him for selling pirate keys unless he gives you your money back.

Send copies of your emails to EBay Customer Service. If they don't take action they are fencing pirate software.