Windows 7 Upgrade - Product Key Issue

A couple of years ago I purchased a Windows 7 Upgrade DVD and License to upgrade my Vista machine. That went fine, but I needed to carry out a clean reinstall of the OS onto the upgraded laptop. It all went well until I was asked for the Product Key, which I have and I entered - it failed.

Having carried out some research, it is obvious now that I cannot do this because it is expecting an old version of the OS to upgrade. Is there some way that I can retro-fit this (I cannot reinstall Vista as it was OEM)? I am happy to buy a licence if need be, but I hope that thare is a cheaper way around it.

There is a workaround, but it involves a bit of work.

Carry out a clean install of Windows 7 with your upgrade DVD, but DON'T enter the product key when asked.

Complete the installation, reboot, and then carry out another clean install with the same upgrade disc.

This time, enter the product key when prompted. Windows will recognise the fact that you've already installed the operating system and will use that as the confirmation needed to ascertain you have a system that qualifies the use of your upgrade disc.

seavixen - thank you - how I wish that I had known that before I spent 3 hours applying 110 upgrades in the expectation that I could do it then!!! ;-)

I will reload and reapply the upgrades - tomorrow.

You're very welcome.

Post back if you're still having problems.

Thank you both. I think that it is OK following seavixen32's information. However - is there some way that I can confirm that the product key has taken, and I am not running in the 30 days grace period (or whatever I get)?

jcaswell said:

Thank you both. I think that it is OK following seavixen32's information. However - is there some way that I can confirm that the product key has taken, and I am not running in the 30 days grace period (or whatever I get)?

Just click Start and right-click Computer then click Properties.

You'll see Windows Activation at the bottom of the window, which tells you whether your system is activated or not.

It should activate automatically within three days, but if it doesn't just follow the advice given by Noel.

Noel mentioned validation, which is slightly different to activation.

Activation confirms that your product key is genuine and takes place after installation of the operating system, whilst validation checks that you are not using pirated software and can take place at any time as a background check by Microsoft.

dont know if this is of any use to you or anyone, but
Here's a nice little VBS Script, tells you some basic OS and Licence Information, product key etc.

just click it to run it, two little windows will open and tell you the system info
it should run on xp, vista, win7, and server editions


also there are four different ways of fresh installing a upgrade licence
read here
Link: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Thank you all very much - challenge resolved