Windows 7 Product Key Questions

[wanderica]

A Bit of a drawn out explanation incoming . . .

Years ago, I purchased Windows 7 Pro from the Microsoft Website as a student (Digital River). As it turns out this was the upgrade key, NOT a full product. Fast forward to today, and I need to activate windows after installing a new SSD, and a fresh Win 7 install from my handy dandy bootable USB stick. I call Microsoft and I am told that they can no longer validate my Windows 7 key because it is an upgrade key, and has been converted too many times.

I have an unused Windows 7 Ultimate disk complete with valid key, but i only have the 32 bit software.

First question: As I understand it, I can use whichever architecture I choose as long as the key is valid. Is this correct?

Second question: Is there still a supported way to download an iso of the 64 bit Win 7 Ultimate software? - I just found this. Google is my friend.

Last question: If I'm SOL on all of the above, where can I purchase a new Windows 7 Pro key and get the key online? I'm very wary of all the pirated windows keys out there. I don't mind paying a normal price for a legal key. I just need it ASAP.

Thanks

 

[Dahak]

First question: As I understand it, I can use whichever architecture I choose as long as the key is valid. Is this correct?

Correct, the key does not matter for the "bit-ness". It will work for 32 or 64-bit

Last question: If I'm SOL on all of the above, where can I purchase a new Windows 7 Pro key and get the key online? I'm very wary of all the pirated windows keys out there. I don't mind paying a normal price for a legal key. I just need it ASAP.
Thanks

Not sure where you can get just the key, but retailers like newegg still sell the OEM Win7 Pro.
Or you can install without a key, an when you go to activate it, it should prompt you to enter or purchase a key


As far as the upgrade version, you could try the double install trick to get it to work

 

[stinger608]

You can download the official Digital River ISO image for Ultimate 64 bit here:
http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/page-2#post-124821

Your Ultimate key will activate without any issues. At least it should unless it has been activated several times in the past.

 

[postmortemIA]

I am surprised that your upgrade retail version of win 7 pro no longer works. If you did clean install it wouldn't, but if you do inplace upgrade, it should work any time.

 

[wanderica]

You can download the official Digital River ISO image for Ultimate 64 bit here:
http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/page-2#post-124821

Your Ultimate key will activate without any issues. At least it should unless it has been activated several times in the past.

Thank you for the link. I actually googled it and found it. I Downloaded the x64 version of Ultimate, formatted my USB drive, copied it, and started the installation.

It turns out that I'm a knucklehead (and for that matter so is the guy at Microsoft). All I had to do was go to Windows Anytime Upgrade, toss in the Ultimate Key and it becomes Windows Ultimate 64 bit. It even has BitLocker on it now although I don't remember downloading it during the upgrade.

At any rate, it couldn't have been easier. 2 restarts and I'm good to go. No new updates, backups, or headaches. Thanks for all the help.

 

[wanderica]

I am surprised that your upgrade retail version of win 7 pro no longer works. If you did clean install it wouldn't, but if you do inplace upgrade, it should work any time.

That surprised me too. It was a clean install. I didn't realize it was an issue in the first place, but you know Microsoft. Once they deny you, there's no arguing. That key is toast. The conspiracy theorist in me might think it had something to do with pushing Windows 8.

 

[postmortemIA]

That surprised me too. It was a clean install. I didn't realize it was an issue in the first place, but you know Microsoft. Once they deny you, there's no arguing. That key is toast. The conspiracy theorist in me might think it had something to do with pushing Windows 8.

Can't do just clean install. That sets some flag that there was no previous version. If you upgrade over clean install even of same version, it works.

So yeah, common trick that works is: do clean install, then run upgrade over it.

 

[stinger608]

Awesome man!!! Glad to see ya got it all taken care of.