Installed wrong windows 7 cd, is formatting again necessary?

[brian890]

Hello all,
so I made a mistake.
I formatted my drives roughly a month ago. I had a cd key that I use but did not have my windows 7 cd available when I needed to re-install.

So I used windows 7 home premium. The key I use is for professional.
My dilemma is when I tried to activate (professional key on home CD), the cd key was invalid (obviously).
The "trial" is about to expire. I have installed programs, games updated drivers and done all the entertaining tasks involved with a clean install and would really not want to do that again so soon.

My question that I have:
Do I need to do anther clean install? I have the proper CD now to get verified (and the key still), but after the daunting task of a format and clean install completed recently I would rather not go through that again.
Is there a way to put the proper cd in, use the correct cd key and have it authenticate or is another clean install necessary?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Layback Bear]

My understanding is your key must match the operating system. If not you will have to do a install that matches you COA key.

 

[brian890]

That is my understanding.
The thing I am wondering is if there is a way maybe if I put the CD in and were able to verify I had a legit copy of the CD and a valid key that I could maybe bypass the format / clean install process again.

 

[brian890]

This is a safe way to do it? Seems pretty legit.
I think its worth a try. The worst thing that I could see happening is it wont work and I have to do a clean install anyway.

Does anyone have any other ideas as well? the more options the better.

Thanks a lot for the post gregrocker

 

[gregrocker]

Use Windows Anytime Upgrade - How to - Windows 7 Forums

The only other option is to reinstall. Follow these same steps for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to get a perfect install which only about 5% of PC owners have.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/95744-windows-anytime-upgrade-how.html

 

[brian890]

Thanks a lot for the info. I hope I can get it going without starting new.

 

[theog]

You can use Anytime Upgrade.

No install files needed.
Only the Upgrade key is need.
Anytime upgrade only adds-on the Programs & Features from version to version.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/95744-windows-anytime-upgrade-how.html

 

[brian890]

Is the upgrade key just the cd key I have for my professional copy?
Is the cd needed at all?
Thanks for the link that look pretty simple.

 

[theog]

Is the upgrade key just the cd key I have for my professional copy?

Yes, upgrade or full key.

Is the cd needed at all?

DVD not need.

 

[brian890]

Awesome thanks again.
Ill post the results if I could get it to go or not for anyone that might have the same issue in the future.