Windows 7 Pro 64bits from MSDNAA with MAK key ?!

Hello,

I got my licence key with a .ISO from the MSDNAA program a few years ago when I was a student.
It's not an enterprise version, it's Windows 7 Pro SP1 64bits.

Problem : after working perfectly for a few times, my key is expired due to many formating and fresh installs (Note: ON THE SAME PC with no hardware change, wtf ?). (error error 0xc004c020) I read that I may have a "mak" key ?!

Why ? Everywhere on forums, Microsoft support say those key are for IT professionals... I am NOT a professional and got the key through the "MSDNAA" university partnership as a student.

Microsoft Support tells me to contact my IT professional to get more activations. Well... I'm not an IT professional, and I do not have an IT professional working for me. I was a student when I got the key from their official MSDNAA program's website.

So, now I'm basically stuck with a "bricked" Windows 7 Pro key ?

Any help appreciated

I may be able to activate it by phone according to Microsoft Support answers.

Do genuine expired MAK keys have unlimited phone activations ?

Well, what's the point of MAK keys then ? Why do they only allow a limited number of activations through the "regular" activation system ? (that you see in system panel or done automatically 3 days after freshly installing Windows 7) BUT would allow unlimited phone activations ? Really confusing.

Another confusing part is : my genuine key from MSDNAA has reached the activation limit (5 activations) after being activated from the exact same PC (same hardware, same location, no change done, no cheating of any sort). I did not activate it on 5 different computers !

MAK keys have a max number of activations, defined by the college in your case.
Once you exceed that limit you have to contact them to increase that number.
They will more than likely say NO as you've left college.
They have to buy the licences in the first place, you got it at a discount or free.


Roy

5 because it was a 5 year course??

Wow, that's really sick that they sell "disposable" Windows 7 keys, doesn't make me want to upgrade to Windows 10 or buy a Windows 10 key... Not to mention that I had to reinstall Windows 7 3 times in less than a week due to a glitchy windows update running slowing / not working...

Aaaah Microsoft