Downgrade from Ultimate to Professional without a clean install

[theog]

Isn't downloading an official version the same thing?

NO, The official trial version is Enterprise.
Windows 7 Enterprise | Trial, Evaluation, Test, Download

 

[writhziden]

Isn't downloading an official version the same thing?

NO, The official trial version is Enterprise.
Windows 7 Enterprise | Trial, Evaluation, Test, Download

For the official direct download links, there is writing that says

Without a legally obtained product key however, any Windows 7 installation will only run for a 30 days trial period. Afterwards, it needs to be activated, or the evaluation timer be reset.

 

[theog]

Up to 90 days.

 

[gregrocker]

I was just trying to understand why Microsoft is against lending their DVDs out, but they provide official download links for users to try out the OS.

It's become pretty evident over the years this is almost entirely to suppress piracy, to make it less prevalent.

The official Download links are from a 3rd party fulfiller of Win7 Student Discount version. MS has not pressed taking them down while strangely they've vigorously pursued the download links for Repair CD ISO. Since links to installer ISO were being posted regularly on MS tech forums, our cautious Admins allow them now for reinstalls and Repair Install.

And the Enterprise trial is not meant to be for consumer use at all, nor is it transferrable to a consumer installation or retrievable at all once trial expires.

 

[writhziden]

Up to 90 days.

I was talking about the links for digitalriver. Most sites that link to the official download links call the 30 day/120 day period an "evaluation period" or "trial period" that requires a product key to be purchased at the end of that period to continue using the OS.

 

[writhziden]

I was just trying to understand why Microsoft is against lending their DVDs out, but they provide official download links for users to try out the OS.

It's become pretty evident over the years this is almost entirely to suppress piracy, to make it less prevalent.

The official Download links are from a 3rd party fulfiller of Student Discount sku of Win7.

And the Enterprise trial is not meant to be for consumer use at all, nor is it transferrable to a consumer installation or retrievable at all once trial expires.

So basically, those links should only be used for valid copies in the first place as is done on these forums for repair installs, clean installs where a license is provided with a OEM computer, etc. They should not be handed out just for trial purposes as that is not their intent. Glad to have cleared that up.

 

[gregrocker]

Eggsackly. If in doubt ask what version appears on the COA sticker.

 

[AddRAM]

I am doing this because I had to format my laptop and wanted to temporarily use W7 Ultimate without a key. I recently received a 2yr license for Pro through MSDNAA and my university and want to install that instead.

Put that in your OP and you wouldn`t have to answer. But you are correct you need not explain.

 

[gregrocker]

With all due respect to you and OP, AddRAM, when I am giving out a complicated technical workaround for great convenience to OP, I want the questions answered first and to my satisfaction.

No other tech forums have provided these custom solutions for more users, and all we ask is cooperation. There's been enough backtalk already that most other's would not help further.

 

[writhziden]

Since links to installer ISO were being posted regularly on MS tech forums, our cautious Admins allow them now for reinstalls and Repair Install.

Thanks for clearing that up, too. I did not know we were allowed to post the links as I have seen postings where gurus said they could not post the direct link due to forum rules. I have also seen a number of gurus post the links, so I was confused as to which was the case. I have gone the route of just telling people what to search for in Google to find them as I would rather be overly cautious than get banned for some misunderstanding...

Speaking of which, this thread has gone pretty far afield, so I will cut off the conversation now that we have cleared up the licensing issue (which hopefully will be a benefit to the OP and anyone else who stumbles into this thread to know not to borrow copies in the future).

 

[AddRAM]

With all due respect to you and OP, AddRAM, when I am giving out a complicated technical workaround for great convenience to OP, I want the questions answered first and to my satisfaction.

No other tech forums have provided these custom solutions for more users, and all we ask is cooperation. There's been enough backtalk already that most other's would not help further.

I totally agree with ya, Football`s on.

 

[ThumperSD]

Understand that we are volunteers here and don't need to help anyone with complicated workarounds who is demanding or less than fully cooperative.

Now that you've answered that you used your brother-in-law's Ultimate DVD to reinstall but want to use a student MSDNAA Pro key to activate it without having to reinstall, save externally a backup image of Win7: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup. Also backup your files separately.

Now set a System Restore Point - Create.

Type regedit in Start Search box, rightclick on result to Run as Admin, browse to the following two keys to change them to exactly how they appear in the screenshot below:

View attachment 193187click to enlarge

Using the Pro installer from desktop, run a Repair Install.

Afterwards activate with your Win7 Pro Product key and save another backup image to use in place of future reinstalls.

I have absolutely no problem with providing you with info that is relevant to the solution to my problem. The question you asked however was not relevant and I felt as if you were trying to expose me on this forum for using an illegitimate copy. In a way, I felt offended by you asking me that question after you already knew you did not need that info in order to help me. I felt even more offended when you refused to help because I did not disclose the irrelevant info when I could have easily make up a lie.

We can agree to disagree on what info one needs to disclose for such issue but thank you nonetheless

I am doing this because I had to format my laptop and wanted to temporarily use W7 Ultimate without a key. I recently received a 2yr license for Pro through MSDNAA and my university and want to install that instead.

Put that in your OP and you wouldn`t have to answer. But you are correct you need not explain.

This guy did pretty much the same thing and this same community did not hesitate to help him

http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/30599-win7-ultimate-installed-downgrade-pro.html

 

[writhziden]

This guy did pretty much the same thing and this same community did not hesitate to help him

http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/30599-win7-ultimate-installed-downgrade-pro.html

i have win7 ultimate installed over previous few months, for testing purposes

Note that the post you refer to the original poster disclosed why he needed to downgrade and why he had Ultimate installed. You did not, which is why you were asked what the purpose was. It was assumed you had already installed and activated Ultimate because you did not disclose that you were using an evaluation version. That is where the confusion came from, and why you were asked repeatedly to give information about your copy of Ultimate.

 

[ressafri]

gregrocker solution work as a treat.
Thanks alot!

 

[pedropico1]

very easy method:

Downgrade Win 7 Ultimate to Win 7 Professional Without Clean Install - Microsoft Community

 

[gregrocker]

very easy method:

Downgrade Win 7 Ultimate to Win 7 Professional Without Clean Install - Microsoft Community

The utility Andre posted does the regedit for you. Everything else remains the same as in Change versions workaround

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

very easy method:

Downgrade Win 7 Ultimate to Win 7 Professional Without Clean Install - Microsoft Community

Do you realize that you are responding to a three year old thread?

 

[gregrocker]

Our threads - especially descriptively titled ones like this - remain active in Google searches permanently, which is another reason why they are not closed. When an old thread like this comes up, I try to update my links so that it continues to be of help.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I never said it should be closed. Often, newbies will unwittingly (hence the reason I asked if the poster was aware that this is an old thread) respond to ancient threads that no one is following anymore and/or are no longer relevant (often called necro posting). Some forums actively "frown" on it (fortunately, not this one). I have occasionally deliberately responded to an old post or thread because I had new, pertinent information to add that may be of benefit to people reading it in the future but I always point out that I am aware it is an old thread.

 

[Layback Bear]

Question if I may Greg.

Are the activation methods Microsoft has now the same as they were in Nov 2011 when this thread started?