Product Key Windows 7 ultimate

Hi Y'all,  I've got a unique situation. I have a laptop and it HAD windows Vista on it and I have the COA for that and the License Key, but I upgraded to windows 7 ultimate and wiped out the vista (it was a full version disk) Now I don't have the COA or Lic# for the 7 ultimate. How can I obtain a legit one? Being I had a authentic copy of vista, I feel I shouldn't have to pay full price for a complete new version, especially because it's kinda old now, but I like it and want to stick with it. How and where do i get one?

Hi,

Windows 7 does not come for free or for a discounted price because you had Vista; you have to buy it as everyone else does.

Microsoft no longer sells Windows 7; try amazon.com.

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There was that free offer years ago; long expired.

How does the Windows 7 Upgrade Option work?

The Windows 7 Upgrade Option is available through participating PC manufacturers on selected PCs and through Microsoft on qualifying purchases of the Windows Vista packaged product. The Windows 7 Upgrade Option applies to Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate editions. Your Windows 7 upgrade will be to the comparable version: so you'll get either Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional (the upgrade to Windows Vista Business), or Windows 7 Ultimate, respectively. The Windows 7 Upgrade Option program runs from June 26, 2009 through January 31, 2010. Some Manufacturers may choose to shorten the Upgrade Option time frame.

Cheers.

Auction websites like eBay are notorious for selling non-genuine licenses, so you were likely a victim.

Product keys can be transferable depending on the channel it is bought from. 

Full version (Retail):

• Includes transfer rights to another computer.
• Doesn't require a previous qualifying version of Windows.
• Expensive

Upgrade version (Retail):

• Includes transfer rights to another computer.
• require a previous qualifying version of Windows.
• Expensive, but cheaper than full version

OEM System Builder version:

OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

• OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel
• OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on
• OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard
• OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system

There is nothing wrong with using it too, especially since all future releases of Windows will be full versions anyway.   

In your case, your best course of action if you want to stick with Windows 7 is to purchase an OEM system builder license or consider switching to Windows 10. 

Because Windows 7 is in limited stock because Microsoft ended sales in October 2013, this has created demand because of its scarcity. This means retail boxed copies demand a premium, while OEM System Builder copies remain affordable. 

You can find OEM System Builder software from dozens of online merchants. The current price for OEM Windows 7 Professional at Newegg, for example, is $140. When I checked a few minutes ago, Amazon was offering OEM Windows 7 Professional packages from multiple sellersat prices ranging from $101 to $150. When I checked just now, a package specifically intended for refurbished PCs cost only $50 for a 64-bit copy.

There are no technical limitations to prevent you from using OEM software on your own PC, although this software will work only for a clean installation and not for an upgrade. In the past, Microsoft has been remarkably inconsistent in its advice to customers about whether this practice is allowed. (See "Is it OK to use OEM Windows on your own PC? Don't ask Microsoft.")

Well, Bill, 

    How many times do I have to purchase windows, like everyone else? Windows 3.1, Windows 98 2nd edition, Millenium, Vista upgrade? XP? I mean really, how many times? At what point do you get the windows merit badge or get acknowledged for in part buying one of your summer homes? Like everyone else has.

       Your reply sounded so arrogant, I couldn't help myself. I'm quite sick of buying Microsoft products to be honest with you, but I was seriously wanting to make my copy legit, that's all. I "bought" or acquired the disk(s), I just need a valid product key. The one on my home tower got damaged and is no longer readable aside from the laptop I spoke of initially. Are the people that sell product keys on ebay legit? Or are they just spitting them out of a key generator? I just want to take the right course of action without having to sheli out ANOTHER $200 or $300 only find you no longer support that product. I don't like windows 10 and won't use it. Free or otherwise. I think Linux might be the answer to this problem. What do you think?

I wouldn't recommend going back to Windows Vista, since thats no longer supported.

question, what is currently installed on the computer?

If Windows 7 Ultimate is still installed, you could try retrieving the product key for Windows 7 Ultimate, if its still installed.

Here are four utilities, all of which will may display your product keys if they are still there:

Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free\_download.html

(It does a good job of providing a wealth of information.)

Also: http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

and: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product\_cd\_key\_viewer.html

and RockXP: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4138.html which has additional features

If you are able to find the product key, you can then download and create a bootable copy:

Download Windows 10, 8, 7 ISOs

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-iso-download-tool

You can then create a bootable copy using the instructions in the following article:

Thank you Andre, 

      Your information was most helpful, but unfortunately, I never had the product key for this windows 7 ultimate, it is a re-install disc that I purchased on eBay. I didn't realize it didn't come with a key. I'm wondering if the people on eBay selling them with a defunct computer or part are product keys that were never registered. It was my understanding that Product keys, COA's and the likes are not transferable. That would include not resell-able, right? How do they get around this? Are they licensed Microsoft re-salers? or dealers? Or are they just not legit? How does one tell one from another? Thanks!