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Windows 7 Product Key Question

L

lumpfish

n00b
Joined
Nov 10, 2013
Messages
16
I am building a new computer and have a question around the operating system and Microsoft Licensing.

I purchased a netbook for my wife a couple of years back that came with a free upgrade to windows 7 (a product key was provided with the netbook). Alas, I never upgraded the netbook - sadly it was too clunky with Windows but runs quite well with Crunchbang Linux.

Anyhow, on my new build, would I be able to use the unused product key I received with my netbook to install Windows 7? I am thinking yes, however, I would like to be sure.

Thanks!
 
If the license is an Upgrade key, then no, you must have an existing OEM or Retail license attached to the computer to use it.

For example; If you have a computer with Windows XP, Vista or 8 Retail licenses on the computer, you could use the 7 Upgrade key to install 7.
 
I have the same issue:

I got an upgrade key for Windows 7 Home Premium from Anytime Upgrade for my netbook to upgrade it from Starter.

It currently runs Linux Mint 14 at the moment. Now, I want to install Windows 7 on another laptop using the Win 7 Home Premium key. Unfortunately, instructions I followed on various websites including MyDigitalLife is not working.

I'm already at 5 attempts at trying to activate a Windows 7 with the upgrade key after using a registry edit. And, I'm still getting issues with it, but I have read other people having success at getting it to work. I don't have the money at the moment to buy another OS including Windows 8. So, I'm going to install 7 on this laptop, unfortunately I'm stuck trying to get activated.
 
octoberasian said:
Now, I want to install Windows 7 on another laptop using the Win 7 Home Premium key. Unfortunately, instructions I followed on various websites including MyDigitalLife is not working.
Click to expand...
A Windows Anytime Upgrade license is designed to upgrade one Windows 7 edition to another for the cost of the difference of one edition to another. It's not licensed or designed to upgrade from a non-7 OS to 7 for activation or used for a clean install. If it could be used that way, people would buy an Windows Anytime Upgrade key rather than the full version or normal upgrade key, at a significant discount (Ultimate WAU from Pro is $129). The key needs to be used in the Windows Anytime Upgrade component of Windows 7.

What you could do is reinstall Windows 7 Basic on the netbook, then apply the Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade key using the Windows Anytime Upgrade component. Just type upgrade into Start search. Keep in mind that even when you install Windows 7 Basic, everything is being installed. The WAU just unlocks features, so don't be afraid that you're not getting as clean of an install by going strait to HP.
 
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This isnt much different then having a upgrade disk is it? Those you can easily do a full install and use the serial to install it like any other full version....
 
German Muscle said:
This isnt much different then having a upgrade disk is it? Those you can easily do a full install and use the serial to install it like any other full version....
Click to expand...
There's a difference between upgrade disc version and Windows Anytime Upgrade key.

As I said before, WAU key's cost is based on what version you have and what version your going too. Windows Ultimate cost $129 coming from Professional. Microsoft is not going to sell you a $129 Ultimate key that you can do a clean install with.

Upgrade media/licenses are designed even for people running Windows XP, Vista or 8, where the OS would require a clean install to move to 7. WAU is not a clean install, but simply unlocks features that were already installed but locked.
 
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bigdogchris said:
There's a difference between upgrade disc version and Windows Anytime Upgrade key.

As I said before, WAU key's cost is based on what version you have and what version your going too. Windows Ultimate cost $129 coming from Professional. Microsoft is not going to sell you a $129 Ultimate key that you can do a clean install with.

Upgrade media/licenses are designed even for people running Windows XP, Vista or 8, where the OS would require a clean install to move to 7. WAU is not a clean install, but simply unlocks features that were already installed but locked.
Click to expand...

I see. Ive never dealy with a WAU key before.
 
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