help Windows 7

[mfy1234]

I need help I don't know if my windows is genuine but I have alot of stuff downloaded (70 GB on steam!) And was hoping I can resolve my issue without loosing my data

 

[mfy1234]

Hi there I just wanted some help. I built a computer myself without a operating system, my brothers friend burned windows 7 on to a CD for me to install( I don't know if he already had the windows cd )anyway I don't support piracy and want my shiz to be legit, but I'm hoping I don't have to install windows again! Because I have games and pograms downloaded from steam ( about 70 GB!) My download speed is really bad I don't want to go through the horror of download all that from steam again. So question is if my windows is not genuine is there a way to repair files or correct them? If your wondering why I didn't just by the CD? Well I thought after 30 days I could activate online by buying the product key for windows 7home premium but now Itried activation update and it failed

 

[USAFRet]

You need to resinstall Windows. Buy one and reinstall. Activate with your new valid key.

BUT!
You do not have to download all your Steam stuff again. If you have another drive, you can follow the steps here to move it over while you reinstall Windows.
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129

Then move it back if you want.

 

[mfy1234]

Thanx for the answer for now I've just extended the trail period( I have work an stuff to do for uni). I managed to get the activation thing working, it sends me to a page where to activate I must purchase windows ultimate edition, if I click any other option eg home premium a little message appears saying I will require a clean install for a different version. So my question is if I buy the product key online will it activate my os with my data intact, also if I buy( £130) will it be online or a cd. I did this BH launching the windows activate exe and then pasted the code in the browser. I also have one more question I have a few games like ac4 on uplay, is there any way to move the games on a external hard drive as I only have one hdd

 

[USAFRet]

1. You really, really don't need Win 7 Ultimate. That is apparently what you have now (illegally). Win 7 Home Premium x64 for 1/2 the price will work just fine.

Get that fixed first. Then we can assist you with other issues.

 

[mfy1234]

I'm going to basically get that in a couple of weeks( when I get student loan), I'm asking because I obviously wouldn't be here if I didn't want a genuine copy thing is I want to know if I could buy a cheap external drive and move my steam , uplay games and data there. Because if a clean install means I have to download all that again I would rather just activate the windows ultimate( which I'm assuming won't delete my data, because it doesn't say clean install is required) sorry if it sounds like I'm going in circles , this is just really annoying

 

[USAFRet]

What I'm saying is - Win 7 Ultimate is a waste of money. You're paying for features you will never ever use.
A different version will, however, probably require a reinstall.

Your Steam games can be saved elsewhere (the external drive) during the reinstall and moved back later. I don't know about uplay...never used it. But probably that too.
The link from earlier describes exactly what to do with your Steam stuff.

 

[mfy1234]

Also my OS may not be genuine, I know that's my fault I should have read up on os installations and checked everything instead of assuming I will buy the key later on and use someone elses stuff lol (2 be fair this is my first computer i ever owned and built my self) . But I don't understand how it is illegal, because I didn't know it was a non genuine version, also currently I'm still in the trial stage so how can it be illegal, just curious about that, the question i wanted to also know is, say I have windows ultimate which is non genuine could I activate and buy the product key online? Would this process be entirely online meaning a download or updater. If I buy a different version I know I will have to do clean install but will the newly Bought be an online download or cd( I want to know because if I Need a physical disk I won't bother buying it online and waste extra time I'll just go to my local PC world store)

 

[mfy1234]

Oh just read your answer now you can diregard what I said above, it would be great if you could tell me whether the process is digital or if they send a physical disk. Thanks for the help By the way really appreciate it and your rapid responses thnx

 

[USAFRet]

Oh just read your answer now you can diregard what I said above, it would be great if you could tell me whether the process is digital or if they send a physical disk. Thanks for the help By the way really appreciate it and your rapid responses thnx

Windows 7 will be a physical disk. Either bought online or in the store. They stopped selling digital downloads after Win8 came out.