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Windows Seven full media with upgrade key
Windows Seven full media with upgrade key
- I purchased a Lenovo Thinkpad T500 a month ago with the understanding I would get a free upgrade to Windows Seven... Well, it wasn't free and I have yet to even hear from Lenovo on the status of the order. Something about the distributors not getting the right information from Lenovo in the first place... i.e. something you would expect from Lenovo considering their track record of great customer service.
Anyhow, at this point I'm fed up with the fact that I have not revived my upgrade and it is impacting my work. I have a few friends with full, retail, copies of Windows Seven and was wondering: can I install Seven on my machine without a key, using their media, then input my upgrade key when it arrives? I have Vista Business x64 and my upgrade is Seven Professional x64. Even if I have to do a "double-install" (i.e. install a full copy of Seven, then "upgrade" that copy with my upgrade media/key) I would be fine. But I don't want to risk a full format/reinstall before I do that.
Answers
- Thank you for your reply on this. As a software developer myself, I would never pirate an OS or other applications and am certainly not trying to do so here. Even if I'm technically breaking the rules, I am already entitled for a valid license of Seven, but am not keen on waiting longer then necessary because Lenovo screwed up. I'll go ahead and get this installed later today then and when I get my key from Lenovo I'll post back to say if it worked or not (but it sounds like it should work).
:)- Marked As Answer byShaon ShanMSFT, ModeratorTuesday, November 10, 2009 7:01 AM
- Proposed As Answer byShaon ShanMSFT, ModeratorMonday, November 09, 2009 2:03 AM
All Replies
- Yes. The media appears to be identical - so could upgrade your machine with any DVD. Note, if you actually upgrade the approved way (either in-place of custom), your upgrade key will activate the install immediate - no need for a double install or registry patch.
Hi,
If you purchase a Lenovo laptop or desktop with an eligible1 Windows Vista® version between June 26, 2009 and January 31, 20102, Lenovo will mail you a FREE license upgrade to Windows 7.
This is copied from Lenovo website, so I think you should meet the requirement to get a free upgrade. Try contact them for a result.
Meanwhile, where are you get the upgrade key? You can try to contact Microsoft Customer Service to see if we can get an installation disk.
Microsoft Customer Service (800) 426-9400 is available Monday through Friday, from 6:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Pacific Time.I have a few friends with full, retail, copies of Windows Seven and was wondering: can I install Seven on my machine without a key, using their media, then input my upgrade key when it arrives? I have Vista Business x64 and my upgrade is Seven Professional x64. Even if I have to do a "double-install" (i.e. install a full copy of Seven, then "upgrade" that copy with my upgrade media/key) I would be fine. But I don't want to risk a full format/reinstall before I do that.
It may not be a 'supported procedure' in microsoft's opinion, but you can do what you want with safety and confidence!
Install Windows 7, using your friend's install disk and WITHOUT entering a product key code. That will get you 30 days usage.
If you have still not received your new Windows 7 upgrade key as you near the end of that 30-day 'grace period' you can use the 'rearm' technique to extend the grace period:
http://www.windowsvistaplace.com/windows-7-rearm-and-extend-windows-7-activation-grace-period-to-120-days/windows-7/
That technique can be reused a couple of times, to extend your grace period for up to 120 days if need be.
When your valid upgrade install key finally arrives, you can assign it to the install and then activate. Follow Method #2 here:
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp
Although some folk would describe the above procedures as "hacks" or maybe even try to suggest that their use is "improper", they in fact use inbuilt capabilities of the OS and as such are perfectly legitimate to use. Your circumstances are valid, and you will/would not be using the techniques as a method of avoiding your legal licensing obligations.
Cheers.
P.S. I highly doubt that anyone here will mark this post as an "Answer"!- I did qualify and pay for my $17 "free" upgrade. The latest news is that it will be 10 business days before the thing even ships. However, I've been holding off installing certain applications and activating them because I don't want to go though that twice. But at this point, Lenovo has really dropped the ball and I would rather just install and use Seven now instead of waiting for 3 weeks *after* new PCs have been shipping with Seven for me to get my upgrade.
- Thank you for your reply on this. As a software developer myself, I would never pirate an OS or other applications and am certainly not trying to do so here. Even if I'm technically breaking the rules, I am already entitled for a valid license of Seven, but am not keen on waiting longer then necessary because Lenovo screwed up. I'll go ahead and get this installed later today then and when I get my key from Lenovo I'll post back to say if it worked or not (but it sounds like it should work).
:)- Marked As Answer byShaon ShanMSFT, ModeratorTuesday, November 10, 2009 7:01 AM
- Proposed As Answer byShaon ShanMSFT, ModeratorMonday, November 09, 2009 2:03 AM
Even if I'm technically breaking the rules, I am already entitled for a valid license of Seven, but am not keen on waiting longer then necessary ....
Metalhead, anybody who suggested that you are "breaking the rules" by performing the above procedures would be patently incorrect! The procedures mentioned make use of inbuilt capabilities of the OS, and as such the only possible way you could be "breaking the rules" would be if you misused those capabilities to avoid the obligation imposed upon you to have a valid qualifying license for use with the valid license upgrade.
Some moderators here might like to suggest otherwise, or even censor/shut down mention or debate, but they are over-stepping the bounds of propriety/acceptability in doing so!
