Windows 7 Pro - can you buy just the activation key?

philstanbridge · 16 Mar 2011 at 08:10

I need a new license key for Windows 7 pro - there is one site in the US advertising licenses for $28 or so - can you buy license keys like this? Apparently my Win 7 Pro software is an upgrade only, (I'm sure I bought the full product) via a software for students website when Win 7 was first released. Anyway I had to format my system and upon reinstallation it says that my copy is an upgrade. So I need a new license bottom line.

richthomuk · 16 Mar 2011 at 08:16

cant you just use the key you already have, im sure you can use them 3 times?? but yes, you can buy just the key!

philstanbridge · 16 Mar 2011 at 08:18

richthomuk said:
cant you just use the key you already have, im sure you can use them 3 times?? but yes, you can buy just the key!

Nope it says its invalid :confused:

I skipped this upon the installation and went to activate once i had win 7 up and running and it said it cannot activate because I have the 'upgrade'. So I was thinking a new license is all I need but I don't know where to get one from that is European compatible.

richthomuk · 16 Mar 2011 at 08:21

do the upgrade 1st and then try your key again

philstanbridge · 16 Mar 2011 at 08:43

richthomuk said:
do the upgrade 1st and then try your key again

I can't because this is the only software I have. What's happened is I changed my old motherboard, and wanted to install windows on to my new one. I thought I had the full monty here, at least judging by the receipt there is no mention of 'upgrade'. So I thought it would be possible even if I had to call MS to authenticate.

Philtor · 16 Mar 2011 at 08:54

Have a read at this article. There should be no need to purchase a new key.

richthomuk · 16 Mar 2011 at 08:59

check to see if you only got the single use product key before then. that may be the reason, but im sure you can by a new key from the microsoft site if you need to.

~Mike~ · 16 Mar 2011 at 09:03

philtorrens said:
Have a read at this article. There should be no need to purchase a new key.

+1

I was going to suggest the double install method. Remeber to be legal you still need to have an existing Windows license eg. XP or Vista.

philstanbridge · 16 Mar 2011 at 09:05

philtorrens said:
Have a read at this article. There should be no need to purchase a new key.

Thanks for the link - unfortunately I tried the cmd manager stuff and it says that my license is blocked

i'll try the double install method now - but I can't understand why this isn't working in the first place really. Maybe I have only got the single use product. I don't mind buying a single license for Pro but i can't find one that is UK compatible!

andicole0 · 16 Mar 2011 at 09:10

Do the two install thing then when activation is required, if it fails ring the M$ activation service, it will probably work just using the automated system, if not you should be passed on to a real person, explain that you'd had to replace your disk and they will activate Windows for you.

Andi.

~Mike~ · 16 Mar 2011 at 09:13

Maybe then they have special student licenses?

I understood that the Upgrade versions of the software are the same as Retail only difference is the license key.

philstanbridge · 16 Mar 2011 at 09:47

Well blow me! That double install method worked a treat

I installed windows from within windows, and upon restarting it authenticated as normal and went straight through! I've never seen that before.

So any ideas why this happened? Was it because I changed my mobo?

Mike306, I am wondering this myself - although the receipt hints at nothing. When I purchased the software (download initially and then physical media in the post) it said nothing about an upgrade. I'm pretty sure that's why I went for it! It was £45 if I recall, for the full thing. It doesn't even state OEM - simply 'Win 7 Pro 64-bit English Disk Kit Direct DVD ONL'

Philtor · 16 Mar 2011 at 10:14

philstanbridge said:
Well blow me! That double install method worked a treat

I installed windows from within windows, and upon restarting it authenticated as normal and went straight through! I've never seen that before.

So any ideas why this happened?

Because you had formatted your HDD and for the upgrade key to work it needs to see a previous install of Windows so to speak

vertica · 16 Mar 2011 at 12:45

The way I understand it is the installer checks for an activated windows install on the system, if one is found it sets a flag in the new install's registry to "0", allowing you to activate using an upgrade code, even if you format/install over the old install in the process.
If a previous windows install is not found it sets this value to "1" and the upgrade code will not work (until you do the Reg hack, alter the licence manager from the command line, or do a double install

)