Win 7 Activation Help

Dear Guys,

I am using genuine Windows 7 Home Premium. Recently I upgraded it to Windows 7 professional using anytime upgrade key which I bought got it from someone who told me it was genuine but it wasn't. Unfortunately I can't do anything about it.

Now I am willing to buy Win 7 Pro thru anytime upgrade. I do not need to buy a new Win 7 Pro but I can buy Win 7 home to Win 7 pro anytime upgrade. Right.

I have two queries :

- I live in Asia, I heard that Win 7 Home Premium - Pro is available only in selected contries (mostly european & US). Does this mean I cant upgrade ?

- If I upgrade (using win anytime upgrade) and get a key, do I need to install home edition & then put the key in or I can put key in this non genuine Win 7 Pro OS to make it genuine.

Please advice.

Thanks You,

Yours Sincerely,
Sam

1) You wont be able to make an online purchase.

Windows Anytime Upgrade is only available for online purchase in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Source: Windows Anytime Upgrade - Windows 7 features - Microsoft Windows

2) You can buy the WAU key from retail. Check out the stores in your country. Also, see this Amazon link.

Amazon.com: Microsoft Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade [Home Premium to Professional]: Windows XP: Software

3) I am not sure whether you can do a repair install and use your AU key with it but you can give it a shot.

Repair Install

If that doesnt work, you can try changing the product key on your current install with the AU key.

Change Windows 7 Key | How to Change Windows 7 Product Key

If none of those work, you'll need to reinstall your home premium version then do an anytime upgrade.

You have two options to activate the failed Pro version you have now without having to do a clean install:

1) Run a Repair Install using the Pro installer which will reset activation, then insert a Win7 retail Pro Upgrade Key. It is doubtful it will accept a legit Pro Anytime Upgrade key, but you can also try that.

2) By changing two registry keys, you can run a Repair Install with the Home Premium installer and it will return the failed Professional installation to Home Premium while keeping all of your programs, files and settings in place. Then you can insert a new Pro Anytime Upgrade key to unlock Pro features as you have already done with a key that failed.

Here are the two keys which you change to "HOMEPREMIUM" exactly as typed without the quotes:


Then run a Repair Install using Home Premium installer from the desktop which will reset activation and return Pro to HP so you can insert a valid Anytime key.

If you need to unlock your Win7 installer to burn an all-versions DVD, extract the ISO using ImgBurn and run the ei.cfg removal tool: Ei.cfg Removal Utility Lets You Use Any Product Key With Your Windows 7 Disc

Now is also a good time to ask yourself if you really need Pro, since HP is nearly identical.

Thanks buddy for your help. Unfortunately, I am unable to find stores that sell WAU key in my country. They sell full retail products.

Moroever I did check the amazon.com link but the item only ships in the U.S. I am kinda stuck.

The only reason I need Pro is for Windows XP mode. I have a belkin print server and it's driver does not run in Win 7 and they have not released any patch/upgrade for that.

Do you really need Pro version? May I ask why?

If so, are you willing to buy the retail Pro Upgrade version (DVD+key) from a reputable retailer, because you can license the install you already have with it by just doing a Repair Install first.

If not, I gave you the workaround to return to Home Premium while keeping your programs, files and settings in place.

gregrocker said:

Do you really need Pro version? May I ask why?

If so, are you willing to buy the retail Pro Upgrade version (DVD+key) from a reputable retailer, because you can license the install you already have with it by just doing a Repair Install first.

As mentioned above I do not need a pro version. Just because my print server driver is not compatible with Windows 7, I thought going pro will help me run Win XP mode and thus install that print server. Buying a new pro upgrade will be expensive. I already bought Win 7 Home Premium and buy that is like buying 2 OS.

I appreciate your help guys.

gregrocker : I will post in the drivers forum to see if I can find driver for that printserver which is Win 7 Compatible. I checked the manufacturer's website, they don't have an updated driver. I have original Win 7 home premium DVD and if I decide to downgrade my OS , I think I will go for a clean install.

WindowsStar: Unfortunatly I dont live in the U.S. Here the price of print servers would be above $60. I thought for twenty $ more i could goto pro but now that also seems unlikely.