How do I activate my copy of Windows 7?
December 14, 2009 8:01 AM Subscribe
How do I get this copy of Windows 7 activated? I had an OEM copy of Windows 7 Home Premium, upgraded it to Windows 7 Professional Upgrade (bought via Microsoft.com). I went through the Windows Anytime Upgrade and it is now prompting for activation. When I enter my upgrade key it tells me that this is a new installation, that I need a new installation Professional key.
I went through the telephone upgrade hoping that would get me with a rep. The person answering could only tell me that my key was not valid and that I needed to call a separate number for activation problems. This appears to be a very generic Microsoft tech support number and keeps throwing me back to the activate by phone people (who cannot tell me anything other than my key is invalid and I need to call this number).
When I called the the store (number on e-mail receipt) they indicated that I had to buy the "Anytime Upgrade Key" ($99?) which is actually less than what I paid for the Professional Upgrade Key ($200) leading me to believe what I bought was not the right key.
The only solution seems to be:
- Contact Sony, receive an OEM disk, apply key on stickers.
- Go through Anytime Upgrade wizard to upgrade to Professional.
- Return Professional Upgrade key that was originally bought.
Is this really my only option? The Anytime Activation accepted my upgrade key as valid and did its thing. It didn't reformat, it didn't even need the DVD, all it did was restart as Windows 7 Professional.
I went through the telephone upgrade hoping that would get me with a rep. The person answering could only tell me that my key was not valid and that I needed to call a separate number for activation problems. This appears to be a very generic Microsoft tech support number and keeps throwing me back to the activate by phone people (who cannot tell me anything other than my key is invalid and I need to call this number).
When I called the the store (number on e-mail receipt) they indicated that I had to buy the "Anytime Upgrade Key" ($99?) which is actually less than what I paid for the Professional Upgrade Key ($200) leading me to believe what I bought was not the right key.
The only solution seems to be:
- Contact Sony, receive an OEM disk, apply key on stickers.
- Go through Anytime Upgrade wizard to upgrade to Professional.
- Return Professional Upgrade key that was originally bought.
Is this really my only option? The Anytime Activation accepted my upgrade key as valid and did its thing. It didn't reformat, it didn't even need the DVD, all it did was restart as Windows 7 Professional.
From what I understand, OEM versions of Windows are not upgradable. That's the trade-off for the cheaper original license.
posted by mkultra at 8:38 AM on December 14, 2009
posted by mkultra at 8:38 AM on December 14, 2009
Try posting your issue on the Windows 7 Genuine Advantage forums here (MS employees participate there and are generally helpful). Note that when you post there you should include the results of the MGADiag tool.
posted by reptile at 9:30 AM on December 14, 2009
posted by reptile at 9:30 AM on December 14, 2009
Best answer: I think I have fixed my own problem. Apparently if you format and install Windows Professional Upgrade it will take the key. It never asked me for my original installation media, I did notice an OEM partition and did not format that -- I don't know if it used that to validate that I was upgrading. It does show that activation was successful. This Windows Anytime Upgrade thing while convenient if it worked right, must require you to purchase the key through the wizard, even though it'll accept and tell you that your upgrade key is correct (and not actually activating until you complete the in-place upgrade). It would not be so bad if it would have let me downgrade back to Home Premium after the activation failed.
posted by geoff. at 9:39 AM on December 14, 2009
posted by geoff. at 9:39 AM on December 14, 2009
Best answer: Also, it's possible to do a clean install with upgrade media (and an upgrade key), see the directions here:
http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/paul/archive/2009/10/23/clean-install-windows-7-with-upgrade-media-the-answer.aspx
posted by reptile at 9:40 AM on December 14, 2009
http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/paul/archive/2009/10/23/clean-install-windows-7-with-upgrade-media-the-answer.aspx
posted by reptile at 9:40 AM on December 14, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
- start->run type "cmd", right click and choose "run as administrator"
- type "slmgr /rearm" without the quotes, hit enter
- When you restart, your copy will be extended for another 30 days
I believe you can do this 3 times (for a total of 120 days of activation-free time).
That being said, this may be a time to investigate more unsavory methods of circumventing their DRM, as you've paid for a license, their system just cannot seem to accommodate the path you took.
posted by CharlesV42 at 8:22 AM on December 14, 2009 [1 favorite]