Discussion Various WIndows 7 Activation/Licensing Questions

[TheFlash1300]

The router firewall.

And it is absolutely true that 7 or XP are more vulnerable than recent versions...they no longer get the same updates.
But it is NOT a case of simply being online, if your system is behind a router. You pretty much need to click on something malicious.

You don't do that, right?

Okay.
Thanks for your explanation.

 

[TheFlash1300]

No.
You're not going to get RTX 3080ti level graphics, unless you get the VM to passthrough to the physical RTX 3080ti in the host system.

Yes, i know this. But from the perspective of software, there is no difference between physical computers and virtual computers, right? In both, physical and virtual environments, the software will function in the same way, without having any problems with its functionality, right?

In short, there is no difference between running Windows 7, for example, on a physical computer that meets the recommended requirements, and a virtual computer that meets the recommended requirements? In both types of computers, Windows 7 will work in the same way, without any problems with its functionality, right?

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, i know this. But from the perspective of software, there is no difference between physical computers and virtual computers, right? In both, physical and virtual environments, the software will function in the same way, without having any problems with its functionality, right?

In short, there is no difference between running Windows 7, for example, on a physical computer that meets the recommended requirements, and a virtual computer that meets the recommended requirements? In both types of computers, Windows 7 will work in the same way, without any problems with its functionality, right?

It will run just fine.

It cannot be exactly the same, because it is literally a different system.


But you're the only one who knows how your magical game mod is coded.
Maybe it relies on something that does not exist in the VM world.

But....the VM software is free, and relatively easy to use.
Why not just try it, instead of all this random speculation?

 

[ex_bubblehead]

If i move the virtual computer from the physical computer where the OS installed in the virtual machine was originally activated, will the activation remain?

Only if using the same VM software.

If i have a physical computer with physical components, install Windows 7 and activate it, but then turn it into .ISO and put it in a virtual machine on another computer, will the activation remain?

No. In addition you'll likely have to reinstall Windows.

Those questions may seem stupid, i'm sorry. I just don't know how VM works, but i want to learn. I would like to use it.

A VM is absolutly no different than a physical machine. The same rules apply.

 

[USAFRet]

In addition you'll likely have to reinstall Windows.

There are methods and tools to turn a physical system into a virtual.
https://www.veeam.com/blog/how-to-convert-physical-machine-hyper-v-virtual-machine-disk2vhd.html

https://www.howtogeek.com/213145/how-to convert-a-physical-windows-or-linux-pc-to-a-virtual-machine/


But yes, the license will not transfer. It results in a different "system".

 

[Bob.B]

The security definitions, the instructions that teach Windows Defender to recognize viruses, should be installed as fast as possible, before a virus have the chance to penetrate the system.

If Windows installs definitions one timer per 22 hours, then during the 22-hours period the computer won't have the latest definitions, meaning it will be more vulnerable. However, if definitions are installed as soon as they are available, this will reduce the time the virus has during which it can attack the system.

If you are going to run w7 windef is not an AV it is an AM.
For AV you will need to add another product.

Security wise you will still have the unpatched holes in the OS.
You can make things better by getting behind a router.....keeping your anti products updated...keeping your browser updated.

You can't fix the OS holes.

 

[DSzymborski]

But what if you use Windows 7? Its firewall is old and no longer good. Around a month ago, i asked a question about security in Windows 7. Someone told me that Windows 7 and XP can get viruses by just being connected to the internet, without the user having to surf, use the browser or download anything. A simple connection is enough for viruses to penetrate.

People told you theoretically where viruses could be and where viruses can be. Nobody told you "therefore, you should be as absolutely insanely paranoid as possible at all times."

 

[Aeacus]

The security definitions, the instructions that teach Windows Defender to recognize viruses, should be installed as fast as possible, before a virus have the chance to penetrate the system.

Windows Defender, to me, is sketchy. And for that reason, i do not use it at all. Instead, i'm paying good money for MalwareBytes Premium, that i have on 2 desktop PCs and on my smart phone as well.
There's also MalwareBytes Free (30 day trial) if you want to test it out by yourself.

What makes MalwareBytes so good to me, is that it isn't only AV program, with scheduled or manual scans. Main reason why i use it, is because it offers browser guard as well. Meaning that if i happen to click on a sketchy link and that is blacklisted, MalwareBytes blocks the connection outright. Same goes for suspicious scripts running on a website. On top of that, my browser also has several add-ons for security:

• uBlock Origin (to remove ads)
• Decentraleyes (anti-tracking)
• HTTPS Everywhere (for secure HTTPS connections)
• NoScript (so i can personally select which scripts are allowed to run on any site i visit) <- this needs Power User know-how
• and of course, browser own settings as well, to remove trackers, using master password etc

In today's world, you need to be CyberSecurity Specialist, if you want to keep your hardware and software safe. Just relying on Windows Defender is not enough, at least in my book.

Or in other words;

"If you spend more on coffee than on IT security, you will be hacked.
What’s more, you deserve to be hacked."
- Richard A. Clarke

 

[TheFlash1300]

Hello. Yesterday, i installed Windows 7 on a virtual machine, and tried to activate it, but the online verification failed. When i entered the code, it didn't say the code is invalid, it accepted the code, but the online verification failed. Now, when i open "My Computer", and click on "Properties", it says the following at the bottom of the window:

Windows activation
3 days until automatic activation. Activate Windows now
Product ID: (here is the product ID) Change product key

Each time i enter the key, it gets accepted, and never rejected, but the online verification fails.

So, if i wait 3 days, will Windows really get activated, or will it get blocked? Is the fact the key wasn't rejected, enough, or is online verification needed, too? If online verification is not possible, will Windows still be activated since the product key i entered is original, valid, working, and not rejected?

In case Windows doesn't get activated, will i still be able to use the OS, or will the whole os get blocked, not just some features?

 

[USAFRet]

So, if i wait 3 days, will Windows really get activated, or will it get blocked?

You'll just have to wait and see what happens.
None of us out here have any influence on the activation server farm. And especially with Win 7. And especially with a "license key" that came from unknown sources.

An Unactivated Win 7 will run for 30 days. After that, I believe it shuts off every hour.

 

[TheFlash1300]

An Unactivated Win 7 will run for 30 days. After that, I believe it shuts off every hour.

So, it's not just that some functions will be unavailable, if Windows 7 is not activated, but the whole OS will shut down every hour, meaning it will be unusable?

 

[USAFRet]

So, it's not just that some functions will be unavailable, if Windows 7 is not activated, but the whole OS will shut down every hour, meaning it will be unusable?

Yes, I believe that is the case.

The Unactivated conditions for Win 10 is completely different than 8/7/previous.

Win 7 will NOT let you run Unactivated on a perm basis.
Win 10 will, but with some small restrictions.

 

[TheFlash1300]

Can someone tell me what is the best way to check if a Windows copy is legitimate? As far as i know, i need the .ISO file of the Windows edition i want to check, and then i have to type the following command in PowerShell:

Get-FileHash C:\NameOfFolder\NameOfISOfile

Then, i will get the HASH ID, and i will have to compare it to the original HASH ID. If they are different, my Windows copy is corrupted. The problem is that i don't know where to find the list of HASH IDs, so i can compare the HASH IDs i get to the original HASH IDs provided by Microsoft.

Another option i know is the following: I type "sfc /scannow" in PowerShell. If it shows there are no corrupted files, this means that my Windows copy is legitimate.

So, can those two options prove my Windows copy is 100% legitimate, and there is no malicious software inserted into the operating systems? Currently, I'm running Windows 7 on a virtual machine. I want to check if the copy is clean. I scanned the .ISO file with Windows Defender, and it said there are no viruses. After that, i scanned the file with the "Get-FileHash" function, and i got the HASH ID. Now, i need to find the HASH ID for Windows 7, so i can compare the HASH ID i got to the HASH ID Windows 7 should have, so i can know whether or not my Windows 7 is legitimate.

Also, i want to know whether or not "sfc /scannow" can guarantee with 100% certainty that the Windows copy is legitimate. If i run the function, and it shows there are no corrupted files, does that mean the copy is 100% original, no one has changed it, and there are no inserted malicious codes?

And lastly, i have a question regarding this:

"Another option i know is the following: I type "sfc /scannow" in PowerShell. If it shows there are no corrupted files, this means that my Windows copy is legitimate."

When i start the ScanNow function, where does it take its information from? How does the function know there are no corrupted files, and how does it know what a file should look like, if it is not corrupted? As far as i know, there is an archived Windows 7 copy inside the Windows 7 copy i installed and use. The ScanNow function compares the files in the archive (it supposes the files in the archive the original) to the files the OS uses.

For example, if the original MpOAV.dll file is in the compressed archive, and is 234KB, while the MpOAV.dll file the OS uses is 300KB, then the ScanNow function will say it's corrupted. However, if the compressed archive doesn't contain only original files, as the ScanNow function is programmed to think, but corrupted and infected files, and the MpOAV.dll is 300KB in both places - the OS and the compressed archive, will the ScanNow function still recognize it as corrupted, or it will say the file is fine, just because the MpOAV.dll file is the same in both places, and ScanNow is unable to find any difference between the file in the OS and the file in the compressed archive, where ScanNow thinks there are only original files, and will say a file is corrupted only if the file is not the same as the file in the compressed archive - but the file in the OS is the same as the file in the compressed archive, ScanNow will say the file is not corrupted, even if it is corrupted?

The fact ScanNow can work offline and doesn't require an internet connection, simply means it compares files to files in the OS, and doesn't compare the OS's files to the original OS's files hosted on Microsoft's servers. This means that if the files ScanNow uses as examples to compare files to and search for corruption, are corrupted, ScanNow will say the corrupted files are original, which will be a false statement.

So, what is the best way to check if the OS is corrupted and has malicious codes inserted in it?

 

[USAFRet]

Can someone tell me what is the best way to check if a Windows copy is legitimate?

Are you asking about the license key, or the installation file?

In either case, where did you get it from?

 

[TheFlash1300]

Are you asking about the license key, or the installation file?

In either case, where did you get it from?

I'm asking about the .ISO file. I want to know if the .ISO file is clean and original, and doesn't contain malicious codes inserted in it by a hacker, who uses Windows 7 as an instrument to track the computer Windows 7 is installed on.

I downloaded the .ISO file from a website someone gave me a link to. The person gave me the link in one of his answers in the Microsoft Community's section called Microsft Answers, where people ask questions about Windows operating systems and Microsoft's products, and get help (answers) from other members, who can be random people, and not necessarily people who work at Microsoft.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

Give the EXACT link or this thread will be nuked for piracy.

 

[USAFRet]

I downloaded the .ISO file from a website someone gave me a link to.

...is not an answer to "Where"

 

[TheFlash1300]

Give the EXACT link or this thread will be nuked for piracy.

No need to consider this thread "piracy". I want the legitimate copy, not pirated one. As i explained in the title of my question in Microsoft Answers, i want the legitimate, not pirated, copy:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...indows-7/afb2e5b4-c342-42cf-b06a-6b5dfcaf5c09

There are two answers - one of them provides the links to the two websites regarding the installation of a legitimate copy of Windows 7.

So, what do you think? Did they give me a link to pirated or legitimate Windows 7?

 

[ex_bubblehead]

And where, EXACTLY, did you obtain a valid license key and for what version of Windows 7?

Your answers will dictate whether or not this thread survives.

 

[Math Geek]

if you have doubts, and anything from anywhere but MS servers is doubtful, then why not get a fresh copy from MS??

no reason to wonder when it is easy to just grab a copy.

use this tool https://archive.org/download/windows-iso-downloader/Windows-ISO-Downloader.exe

select win 7 and the edition you want and it will grab it from MS for you.

this is only the installer as an iso and in no way provides a key or activation method other than you putting in your key and it being legit activated.


once you have this raw iso, then do a completely fresh install of win 7 to be sure nothing is there that should not be. some random link "from a friend" is pretty much assured it has more than the base windows install. think about it, why give a 3rd party link if it is the same thing you can get from MS directly for free?

exactly, cause it has something else in it you 100% do not want on your pc

 

[USAFRet]

So, what do you think? Did they give me a link to pirated or legitimate Windows 7?

Completely unknown.

"In the past, Microsoft provided disk images for many of their products through their subcontractor "Digital River". These downloads were pulled in early 2014. Afterwards, Microsoft made a limited selection of downloads available on their TechBench site. Our tool is based on TechBench, and makes a range of hidden products available for download. "

Anything not direct from MS is suspect.

 

[TheFlash1300]

And where, EXACTLY, did you obtain a valid license key and for what version of Windows 7?

Your answers will dictate whether or not this thread survives.

I have an old Retail key. Years ago, a person repaired my computer, replaced Windows XP with Windows 7, and he used the Retail version. I have had the key since then.

The person's service is legitimate, he runs a computer shop where he repairs electronics.

As i already said, the key i have is valid, and doesn't get rejected as "invalid". The problem comes from the fact that the online service for verification is not available. The key is valid, the online verification service has problems, not the key.

 

[USAFRet]

I have an old Retail key. Years ago, a person repaired my computer, replaced Windows XP with Windows 7, and he used the Retail version. I have had the key since then.

The person's service is legitimate, he runs a computer shop where he repairs electronics.

And we've seen people say that about their local retailer.
Upon further inspection....totally bogus.

I personally got screwed by a retailer/refurbisher, selling on Newegg, installing a bogus Win 10 Pro license on an inexpensive laptop.
Trust me, I was not a happy camper.

 

[TheFlash1300]

And we've seen people say that about their local retailer.
Upon further inspection....totally bogus.

I personally got screwed by a retailer/refurbisher, selling on Newegg, installing a bogus Win 10 Pro license on an inexpensive laptop.
Trust me, I was not a happy camper.

The Windows 7 copy the person installed was legitimate, the key is legitimate, too. The person was, and still is, running his business, and he has a long history of legitimacy. I know him for years, and I know he isn't someone who would install non-legitimate software. He is a proven professional.

Sadly, I no longer use the computer and I can't transfer Windows 7. The only chance for me is to install a legitimate copy of Windows 7, and then use the key. The only problem is that I don't know from where to install a legitimate copy of Windows 7.

 

[USAFRet]

The Windows 7 copy the person installed was legitimate, the key is legitimate, too. The person was, and still is, running his business, and he has a long history of legitimacy. I know him for years, and I know he isn't someone who would install non-legitimate software. He is a proven professional.

Sadly, I no longer use the computer and I can't transfer Windows 7. The only chance for me is to install a legitimate copy of Windows 7, and then use the key. The only problem is that I don't know from where to install a legitimate copy of Windows 7.

Why did you, or he, not retain the original install file?

He is a proven professional.

I've heard that before.