HALP: Can't activate Windows 7

BigglesPiP · 29 Apr 2011 at 02:58

I had XP Home and bought an upgrade to 7 Pro, installed it as a fresh install alongside XP and all was well.

Now after a disaster involving a slightly insane RAID controller I had to re-install Windows 7 and spend the last 2 days copying my data back on from my backup.

Now the problem; I go to activate on-line and it tells me I can't because this is a clean install and not an upgrade. :eek:

This seems like a blatant ****-up by Microsoft test to me, I'm now a genuine customer being screwed over by the anti-piracy featues, how do I fix it?

asim18 · 29 Apr 2011 at 04:02

Edit: nvm.

deuse · 29 Apr 2011 at 06:25

Start windows then put the windows 7 dvd in.Start setup then pick your version.
Then after a few clicks it will ask Upgrade or Advanced pick upgrade and all should be fine after it's done.

SparkyG · 29 Apr 2011 at 07:42

is there no option to activate over the phone?

BigglesPiP · 29 Apr 2011 at 19:51

deuse said:
Start windows then put the windows 7 dvd in.Start setup then pick your version.
Then after a few clicks it will ask Upgrade or Advanced pick upgrade and all should be fine after it's done.

"The current version of windows is more recent than the version you are trying to upgrade to."

BigglesPiP · 29 Apr 2011 at 20:10

Got it, here's the answer: http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows-7/clean-install-windows-7-with-upgrade-media

To be abundantly clear; this is for when you have done a clean installation of Windows 7, maybe due to a hardware or software problem, or you wiped off XP/Vista before doing the install. DO NOT attempt this for other reasons unless you know what you are doing.

@Microsoft Better documentation if you please, could save people hours fighting with your crap.