Legitimising dodgy copy of W7 Ultimate

[...winston]

"Philip Herlihy" wrote in message Thanks, the clarification is appreciated. What I'm hoping to do is
purchase a "Get Genuine Kit", which comes with DVD and key. Can I avoid
reinstalling everything, or with using the Product Key change facility
simply downgrade the machine to W7 Pro? I don't believe the user will
have touched anything not included in Pro.
Unfortunately, afaik (and pretty certain) you can't go (downgrade) from Windows 7 Ultimate edition to Windows 7 Pro without
removing Windows 7 Ultimate and clean installing Windows 7 Pro (and all software) using media with a valid product key and then
activating Win7 Pro.
- a clean install would also require wiping the existing partition/drive (where Ultimate resides) and any existing data stored on
that partition/drive...thus it would be mandatory to archive any important files to external media (external drive, usb thumb
drive, cd/dvd) prior to proceeding.

 

[Philip Herlihy]

I'd always suspected that my customer's PC with inexpensive hardware but
installed with W7 Ultimate would turn out to have a dodgy copy of
Windows. This was confirmed when I had to replace the hard disk, and it
wouldn't activate.

I know he can buy a license direct from Microsoft at some expense, or he
may be able to put pressure on the original vendor, but I'd like to know
what other approaches might be relied upon to work. He could use W7 HP
(Pro preferred by me so I can use Remote Desktop!) but I have my doubts
that simply buying a retail (updgrade) or OEM license will work with the
existing Ultimate installation. We'd like to legitimise the machine
without having to reinstall Windows and all the applications on the box.

Any advice? I've no intention of using any further "cracks" or other
illegal options.

In the end, I followed the telephone activation route, explained the
situation, and Microsoft simply gave us a new key! Thank you Microsoft!