Can you activate an install of Windows 7 with a Home Premium key...

sagramore

sagramore

sagramore

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20 Oct 2002
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... after having installed it with Ultimate?

I ask because I'm taking advantage of the "30 days before you must activate" to make sure I actually want the thing. However, I installed using an x64 copy of Ultimate and I will only be buying Home Premium.

Just wanted to know whether I should re-install now using Home Premium (as I wont be getting the activation key until Christmas), or if I can just activate using this installation but the new key.

I honestly tried to google this - but there's so much about Windows 7 out there at the moment that I really couldn't find anything related.

Cheers in advance!
 
Thanks for the responses - although I am surpised the answer is no, especially with all the hype about being able to activate upgrades very easily and quickly via windows update.

I figured that if you activated using a home premium key it would just uninstall / disable the features that are only available through Ultimate.
 
Thats not upgrading easily.
Upgrading easily would be install home premium, activate it using that install and key, buy an ultimate key and feed it that then it installs the extra features.
Not installing the V12 engine and when you turn on the key hoping it'll only use 4 cylinders ;)
 
Ah well. I've just bought Home Premium (back in the UK) - unfortunately I'm based in Australia currently, so I'll either have to get someone to send it out to me, or source myself a Home Premium installation disk out here and get my mum to telephone me the activation codes :)

Cheers for the info anyway people.
 
Have you Googled "downgrade windows 7 ultimate to home premium"
Looks like there is quite a bit there.....
John (Win 764 Pro)
 
It's all none supported though. Why on Earth, if you knew you were buying HP, did you not just select HP on install? For a less troublesome life just reinstall.



M.
 
m4cc45 said:
It's all none supported though. Why on Earth, if you knew you were buying HP, did you not just select HP on install? For a less troublesome life just reinstall.



M.
Click to expand...
You don't get a choice unless you modify the ISO, it installs Ultimate without a product key.
 
m4cc45 said:
It's all none supported though. Why on Earth, if you knew you were buying HP, did you not just select HP on install? For a less troublesome life just reinstall.



M.
Click to expand...

At time of install I had not bought any copies. I was taking advantage of the 30 days before activation to actually work out if I wanted to buy it or just stick with XP. The only installation DVD I could source was an Ultimate edition (I installed without entering any keys at all and it gave no choice about which version to install).

So now that I have paid for Home Premium, and I have all the valid keys, I just wanted to know if I would have to format/re-install or if I could just use the install I currently had and activate with the keys I now have - sorry if I didn't make that clear enough in the original post!

In the end it's just a case of time and ease - of course I can format & clean install (once the HP dvd actually reaches me) but I already have a working install, I just want to activate it.

Actually, my main worry now is this: I am english, have a UK address, the PC was bought in england and will be moving back there with me, but I currently live in Australia studying for another year or two. There was no way I was paying AU$300 for it when I could get it in the UK for £78 (~AU$140 at the current exchange rate). However, will it let me activate a UK version from Australia? I might have to use a UK proxy or activate over the phone or something if they are fussy about your location during activation.

EDIT: Although, I am aware this isn't he same question I started the thread for :) Haha. A quick google search suggests I shouldn't have too much trouble activating a UK version from Aus though.
 
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