Way To Change Oem Key To Retail?
Feb 15, 2011
I bought a gateway pc about 6 months ago and I am having major issues with it, I have had a few people I game with have alook and they seem to think its a hardware issue. I have reinstalled windows from the recovery partition once with no change. The machine is taking 20 minutes to post, any ways, I have decided to replace the mobo with a better board form a local electronics store. Will I be able to reuse the windows 7 key that came with this machine?I am not opposed to buying another copy but, That will stop me from upgrading a different system to win 7 32. I know that replacing my mobo will void any joke of a warranty i have left but to be So tdlr is, If i replace mobo is factory build pc. do i need to spend another 100 bucks for a os.I will have to buy the install disk anyways but the "new key" would sure be nice on my old laptop that's running vista now
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Jul 11, 2009
can i somehow use my vista disc at some point to allow the Windows 7 retail install to upgrade the Windows 7 RC AND NOT HAVE TO REINSTALL MY PROGRAMS?
i currently have vista 32 bit home premium. i have the install discs for it too.
i want to create another partition and put Windows 7 RC 64 bit on it (dual boot).
i have Windows 7 home premium pre ordered.
i want to upgrade Windows 7 RC to the retail when it comes out, WITHOUT REINSTALLING MY PROGRAMS.
i read the Windows 7 retail discs will allow you to upgrade the Windows 7 RC, but you will have to reinstall programs.
i am wondering if using the vista disc will allow me to upgrade and keep my programs.
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Feb 12, 2010
I was looking at getting windows 7 and hoping to do clean installs on a couple of machines and don't know which version to choose. I was looking at the w7 professional upgrade because I read that you can do a clean install with the upgrade disc and it's cheaper but I was not sure because I have an xp pro upgrade disc which says in the manual you can do a clean install but I could not (tried to put it on my laptop and do a clean install over vista but wouldn't let me.)
If you can do that, what is the difference between an upgrade clean install and the regular install disc? My other question is, if I buy the full retail version how many machines can I install it on and will they go into non genuine mode after the product key is used once?
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Oct 23, 2009
Yesterday i bought a retail key online. I wonder if it is possible to see the difference between a retail or oem key.
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Jan 30, 2012
how do I partition the HDD like retail PC's to where that partition has the hidden recovery OS on it. If the big branded companies can do it
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Jan 30, 2012
how do I partition the HDD like retail PC's to where that partition has the hidden recovery OS on it.
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Aug 31, 2012
Doesn't the retail full version of Windows 7 come with SP1? I was looking around online and it doesn't appear to.
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Sep 17, 2009
will windows seven retail upgrade over windows seven RC ?
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Dec 7, 2009
I made an ISO of my genuine Windows 7 Professional upgrade DVD and then downloaded a genuine Windows 7 Ultimate ISO. While I was deleting the ei.cfg file, I noticed that the folders and files are all the same. So is there any difference between the upgrade DVD and the retail DVD?
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Feb 9, 2012
other than the price is there a difference for windows 7 hp oem and retail
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Jul 8, 2009
Are all the pre-order deals for upgrade software rather the full retail versions?
I have shelled out quite a bit on WinXP over the past few years and more recently due to both desktop and laptop falling over at the same time.
I want to be able to install any new operating system I buy on new hardware when that becomes necessary.
I have to be very sure. I am not wasting any more dosh on OEM versions.
It seems to me that just because you get a full version rather than an upgrade, that is something different to the license being OEM or Retail.
Full or upgrade version is not really the issue (although full is obviously better). For me it is about the license to install on new hardware as I upgrade that without buying a new copy of windows.
Does 'full' also mean that the install will not be tied to a previous copy of windows being installed first (or having the key for that version to hand)?
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Nov 2, 2009
so I'm confused with upgrading to windows 7. i am currently running the windows 7 RC and for upgrading to the full version I'm unsure if i need to buy the retail version of windows 7 or if i can use the upgrade disk for windows 7.
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Oct 5, 2009
i use xp pro sp2 retail on my main well gaming rig. i ordered the Windows 7 hp upgrade and will ship 10-22-09.
if i read right. when i upgrade to Windows 7 my key for my retail xp pro sp2 will be no more good. i will not be able to install or use my retail xp again. is this right?
well. a bud sent me a oem sp3 copy of xp pro some months ago. its still sealed and i never opened the package. i am afraid of sp3 is why i have not used it yet. so.. but. my question is and if i will lose my retail xp key if i upgrade to Windows 7. should i upgrade to Windows 7 using my oem xp sp3 disc. and keep my retail key etc.
so. id guess first i need to back up and save what i need to keep. files etc. then nuke reformat and install my oem xp. just basic install and i guess register it. and then upgrade fresh install Windows 7. if this will work im fine with it. yes its the extra steps to first install the oem xp version maybe. but id like to save my retail xp key. i do have another computer i guess i could use xp on for a while to come. i have not been using my second pc. ive been afraid to install or use xp sp3.. so i have not used my oem xp sp3 yet.
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Oct 21, 2009
I have purchased 2 retail copies of Windows 7 Pro for 29.99 with my student discount. If you have questions as to how I achieve this go to this thread
Full Retail Version of Pro For Students only 29.99
I now have another computer that I want to put Windows 7 pro on. I am thinking about purchasing an upgrade key and just using the retail version to install so I don't have to reinstall Vista in order to do the upgrade.
Anyways, do you think I could purchase an upgrade key, install with my retail disk without filling out the product key and then activate with the upgrade key?
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Oct 27, 2009
I was just consulted on by a teacher who had a student that purchased Windows 7 and just received it in the mail. It was an upgrade, he couldn't find a product key. He was wondering if your current os's product key doubled as your 7 key. I would assume it wouldn't, and he just over looked Microsoft's master of disguise product keys.
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Dec 11, 2009
I apparently cannot change the product key from a Windows 7 Ultimate eval copy 7100 to a retail Ultimate product key and have it activate properly. The process tells me my key is not valid...is that correct? I do not see anywhere an activation phone number to call.
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Sep 3, 2011
Today I have replaced an AM3 motherboard with an AM3+ and I got the usual message 3 days to activate.
I've tried to activate today using the automated phone line and it says my software is not genuine and then automated phone lady says bye bye. There was no "How many Computers is your software installed on, and no waiting to speak to an agent. JUST BYE BYE.
I've tried customer support typed in Product ID, It tells me my licence has expired. Windows 7 home premium I purchased Full version from PC World back in 2009 then a few months later I purchased the anytime upgrade to Professional.
If I retype in product key for Professional it takes me back to the activation screens 4 options. Ive also tried typing my home premium key that does not work, it says I need a Professional licence which I have but expired.
I dont really want to repair or reinstall it when it is working and no conflicts. I do have Vista and linux on another hard drive which is not connected because graphics card is blocking SATA ports, and right angled connectors are to high as well.
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Jan 30, 2010
I have several computers still running the RC version of win7 and I am trying to pick the most cost effective option for installing legit version.
I had first thought to get the 3key Family Pack, but have obviously far missed my window of opportunity on that option.
I rebuild and test new computer equipment frequently, so I don't want to use a OEM version that is limited to one activation (unless that's changed?)
I've heard mixed info that the retail version is good for 10 activations, is that for 1 PC or multiple PCs running at the same time?
I tend to run 3-4 towers at once at minimum in my home so I need to know if I need separate keys for each PC I am running. Are the activations good, if I make hardware changes to my PC? Swapping motherboards is always a concern so I don't want to be shelling out for a new copy every time I try out a new board.
I have heard that a technet subscription might be an option for me, but I am concerned my use of the 'Evaluation Copy' software isn't really part of the license agreement. I wouldn't be evaluating the windows software, it's normally my hardware I am evaluating.
Can someone give me more infomation on how the Technet accounts work?
I know if I need different keys for each of my PCs then I would probably need 6-7 keys, I don't mind paying $300 a year for a technet subsribtion if my use of it won't be a problem. But I don't want to shell out $300 only to find out should have bought the retail version instead. And then again if the retail version is good for 10 activations, and I can use it on multiple PCs at once, that would also work for me.
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Jan 10, 2013
I'm currently running a Dell Dimension machine which was purchased with Windows XP (OEM) originally installed on it and has since been upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium. Even though the original installation of XP was obviously OEM, when I upgraded to Win 7 did it change to a retail licence key and therefore now allows me to install Win 7 on a new machine that I'm building?The new machine will have components out of the old machine and therefore the old one will not be able to be used, but it will be a different MB, CPU and RAM.
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Feb 12, 2010
So I just bought Windows 7 Upgrade and there are 3 parts to the Windows 7 download. I downloaded Win7-HP-Retail-en-us-x64 which I think is an install file. But every time I try to run it I get the error message, "The application cannot find one of its required files, possibly because it was unable to create it in the folder. Please make sure that the folder in which this application was downloaded is accessible and not read-only". I threw it onto my desktop, unblocked it from properties, but still it doesn't work
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Oct 24, 2009
Trying to install a Belkin Wireless or Retail Plus+ N USB Adapter, which the microsoft page says is compatible with Windows 7 (for the Belkin) and receiving an error basically saying the driver is not compatible with this operating system.
This is a brand new computer that came with Windows 7 installed and has 0 internet access right now....what can you suggest?
Also, I do have a wired internet access point in my house I can move it to, if there is something I need to download I can probably do this.
It's been hours, and I feel like I may have to take the whole thing back.
I would prefer to use the Retail Plus+ USB adapter for this system if given the choice, since the Belkin is in use on another computer in the house, but I'll take whatever is out there.
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Oct 18, 2011
I was thinking, maybe it's up to 3 installs no matter what computer, however, I have done more than 3 installs on my same computer with no problems with the product key. I have read that it's good for up to 3 computers, not 3 installs.
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Oct 16, 2009
I did a clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate on my dell computer. When I was deleting partitions I noticed a Dell OEM partition. It was very small so I didn't delete this.
My thought was, if I ever wanted to sell this computer I would need to put Vista back on the computer and was afraid that my OEM disk would not work because I had deleted the partition.
I want to be able to put any computer back to the same state when purchased in order to avoid locking my Retail Version to one computer.
Does this little OEM partition have any bearing on the ability to revert the computer back to the original state?
If so, those of you putting retail might want to keep that partion available.
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Jul 26, 2009
I am wondering what the process is to switch computers with a retail version of Windows.
Say you have Windows 7 installed on one computer and need to do a clean install on a different one. How do you "de-activate" one to make the new install activate? I don't understand how this works. I will have to do it in the next few days with Vista and will need to do it with Windows 7 this winter.
I assume you would just install on the new computer and have to call MS but I'm hoping it's easier than this.
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Aug 12, 2009
I have Vista x64 right now and I keep wanting to install the 7100 build beta that I downloaded a while back. I plan to buy the 3 pack of Windows 7 when it comes out but I am wondering if installing the beta build now will make upgrading harder down the road. Doing a clean install is just way to hard considering all the terrabytes of programs and data that I would have to either re-install or manually try to put back into it's original places.
I know a lot of people preach that doing clean installs is so much better. In my experience this has never really helped. I have on numerous occasions done clean installs and they never did seem to work any better or any faster than the upgrades that I have had installed for years. The only time I think you need to do a clean install is if you have stability issues with your hardware causing your OS to go flaky or if you neglect your OS and leave all kinds of crap floating around on it. We have one machine running Windows 2000 since 2000 and it is used daily without any problems or corruption whatsoever.
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Oct 22, 2009
My question is; are Windows 7 RTM retail product keys locked to a particular installation CD, or can they be used with any retail installation CD? (As long as they haven't been used before or are associated with a different edition of course).
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Nov 23, 2009
Is the in-place upgrade to Windows 7 possible with
a) retail versions
b) OEM / OSB / SB version?
Or do I have to buy this special "upgrade version"?
I only get contradictorily information (very frustrating!) and need advice from your side.
P.S. Yes, I know about the pros and cons in general regarding in-place upgrade vs. clean installation.
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Nov 10, 2012
After having installed my Windows 8 Pro Upgrade, and regret it, I installed a fresh Windows 7 Ultimate x64 from my retail dvd. When it came to activation, it wrote "unsuccesfull, please use phone activation".I then tried that, and as first I had to answer on how many PCs this key was used. I press 1, and the phone-activating was done normally.
But after a while I got to think, WHY MS had to ask me this? My retail DVD (and the key to it), has not been activated for over 2 years, so maybe another is using my key?
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Dec 28, 2009
I was running Vista on one partition, and Windows 7 RC on a second partition. Was able to dual boot with no problems. I just installed Windows 7 Retail Upgrade on the partition where Vista was located, after reformatting that partition. I can run the new installation fine, but I can't boot into the RC version. I can access the partition using explorer, just can't find a way to boot it.
I'd like to get in there to pull some configuration information from programs, to enter when I reinstall the programs on the new system. I'm not sure what I messed up here, but is there a way to find a fix to the problem?
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Dec 21, 2011
I have a virtual machine that I installed Windows 7 Pro from a retail DVD. Can I use a System Builder/OEM Product Key to activate it or do I have to reinstall using the System Builder DVD?
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Oct 20, 2012
Basically i want to know if i can get a copy of Windows 7 and install it and later use an OEM license? The reason i want to this is to be able to use windows before i get my OEM because i don't like Linux too much..
Would that process be illegal if i pirate a copy of Windows 7 and then activate the OEM license when i get it next week?
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