Windows 7 Activation

[jmdanna]

I am running windows 7 professional 64bit right now, but its not activated yet. All i need to do is enter the product key. Will the product key from an upgrade version of windows 7 professional work? I can get it cheaper that way. Thanks

 

[DocBrown]

Welcome jmdanna

You may have to do the work-around in this tutorial

:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[jmdanna]

Thank you for your reply DocBrown. Unless you just read my question wrong, I don't think you completely understood what i was asking. I don't need to do a clean install or upgrade, I already have 7 installed. I just need to enter a product key, I don't have one. So, could i purchase an upgrade version of windows 7 and just use the key that comes with it to activate windows? No Install, just to use the product key. As i said, it will be cheaper this way as i could get it pretty cheap with my student ID.

 

[DocBrown]

I know several students that have used the win7 prof student upgrade Key. But you will probably have to do the work around in part 2 of the tutorial

 

[richnrockville]

What about the product key that came with the disk you bought? If you downloaded it from some site then this is not the place to ask about this subject.

Upgrade versions of windows require a special key that won't work on oem or full copies and vice versa.

rich

 

[DocBrown]

How much is the student win7 Prof ? Do you get a DVD & Key or is it a download & an eMailed Key ? Make sure you keep a couple copies of it in a safe place if you ever need to re-install it

 

[jmdanna]

I didn't download illegally, my brother has the install disk of an oem copy, he installed windows, but decided to change his mind and make me pay for my own copy; and he never put the product key in. So instead of performing a clean install, i want to just buy a copy, and use the product key. Its not illegal. As for how much, I could get the (student) Windows 7 professional upgrade for $79.98. Whereas retail home premium version is $99. I do not want home premium version either because i have already installed professional but have no key. And id rather not go through the process of backing up all of my files and having to transfer them all back over and stuff just to change the version of 7.

So is it a no then?

Thanks

Update: forgot, yes it would come with the dvd and key.

 

[Bill2]

I am running windows 7 professional 64bit right now, but its not activated yet. All i need to do is enter the product key. Will the product key from an upgrade version of windows 7 professional work? I can get it cheaper that way. Thanks

Yes it would work. But it would be legal only if you have a previous qualifying OS.

 

[jmdanna]

You're sure? I need this to work!
And by "you need to have a previous version of windows", does that mean there has to have been windows on your machine before? Because maybe it wont work if it doesn't see that you used to have a previous version. Or is Microsoft just trusting you to be honest...

I had windows vista on my machine, but then i upgraded everything. so there is no way it would know if i used to have vista or not. iDon't use vista anymore if that matters.

 

[Bill2]

From what I have seen, it works. And yes, its a honor thing. You dont need windows on the machine beforehand, you just need to own a previous OS which you do.

 

[DocBrown]

Considering your hardware listed in your specs, win7 prof student prices is a great investment as it can always be moved to another computer or upgrade MB & CPU.

 

[habibi]

Considering your hardware listed in your specs, win7 prof student prices is a great investment as it can always be moved to another computer or upgrade MB & CPU.

If I could move it to another PC, do I need to deactivate it in the older PC? Otherwise, what's stopping me to install Win 7 Prof in multiple PCs?

I'm thinking alone the line of iTunes authorize/deauthorize a computer. I guess Windows doesn't do that. Is it an honor system thingy?

 

[DocBrown]

Considering your hardware listed in your specs, win7 prof student prices is a great investment as it can always be moved to another computer or upgrade MB & CPU.

If I could move it to another PC, do I need to deactivate it in the older PC? Otherwise, what's stopping me to install Win 7 Prof in multiple PCs?

I'm thinking alone the line of iTunes authorize/deauthorize a computer. I guess Windows doesn't do that. Is it an honor system thingy?

Yes, it can be deactivated. Or it may take a call to Microsoft to explain that you have moved it to a new computer or replaced with a new MB. Their smart online checking of your product key can detect if used on multiple PC's

 

[Bill2]

No theres no such thing as "deactivating" - just uninstall it completely on the older PC. What'll stop you from using the same retail key on multiple computers is online activation. When you activate online, the key gets tied to a hardware hash unique to that computer, frequent and significant hardware changes will trip MS's piracy alarms.

 

[habibi]

How do you uninstall an OS?

I mean, normally you would just reformat.

But yeah, if they tied it to the computer and subsequent activation will check it, I guess that's smart.

So, do they tie it to CPU or the mobo? What's consider a new PC? New mobo?

 

[Bill2]

How do you uninstall an OS?

I mean, normally you would just reformat.

But yeah, if they tied it to the computer and subsequent activation will check it, I guess that's smart.

So, do they tie it to CPU or the mobo? What's consider a new PC? New mobo?

Habibi, if you're going on to dissect every single word, your education stops right now.

Ya, they tie it to several components, most important being the mobo. For MS, a new mobo IS a new PC, you can tinker with other the other ingredients.

 

[gregrocker]

If you own a Vista or XP license which either came with the same computer (OEM), or is retail and therefore can migrate, then you qualify to use Upgrade version on that machine whether the qualifying OS is installed now.

However, you'll likely need to do the quick registry workaround which Doc Brown previously posted to get an Upgrade version key to work, unless the current Pro install was installed over Vista/XP and saw the previous install when it was booted or run.

Try inserting the Product Key at Computer>Properties. If it rejects it, then do the workaround given in the tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

If you want to move the installation to another computer and it also qualifies for Upgrade version, then Sysprep the HD in the old machine then move it or it's image to the new hardware before activating: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...lation-transfer-new-computer.html#post1161038

 

[jmdanna]

If you want to move the installation to another computer and it also qualifies for Upgrade version, then Sysprep the HD in the old machine then move it or it's image to the new hardware before activating: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...lation-transfer-new-computer.html#post1161038

Not quite sure what your trying to say here...

update: i should have read your link, thank you so much!
Unless my brother decides to give me a key, I will be planning on getting the upgrade version. So, if the key doesn't work just by entering it in system properties, The workaround is proven to work every time?

 

[DocBrown]

The win7 Prof at the student discount price is a great deal for you. Reg price at TigerDirect is $199.00

Plus here at SevenForums you get FREE 24/7 Tech support

I think out team of Guru's have about a 99% success rate with new users as long as they don't give up trying our ideas

 

[jmdanna]

alright. and if i have any problems, im always a member here... so thanks guys! i appreciate all your help!