Installing Windows 7 without entering the Product Key

[stockhausen]

Does anyone have any idea why you can now install Windows 7 without entering the Product Key - So far as I am aware, you couldn't do this in the past (although I can't say I ever tried).

It is very handy if you are just trying to test out Windows 7 on an old system or a new build but I don't understand why Microsoft have now made it possible.

 

[stockhausen]

. . . yes, but in the name of God, WHY

Incidentally:

It appears you can get up to 120 days and not 30. You need to use "slmgr -rearm" command at end of each 30 days.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/extend-the-windows-7-trial-from-30-to-120-days/

I've used this before and it worked just fine.

 

[stockhausen]

So you can build one machine and image it to a bunch of others, without having to mess around removing keys etc. ...

Yup, I can see that. However, surely it would really only make sense if the systems have identical configurations?

... Also very handy for quickly testing something out. ...

A 'quick' install of Windows would be nice

... These OS's can do it..

XPSP3
Vista
7

I must admit that I have never thought of trying it before.


Thanks for the various responses, I feel much happier (and better informed) now