Windows 7 activation key problems

[Nathanael_1]

So i purchased a refurbished Dell laptop, and it came with a windows activation key for Windows 7 Pro 64 bit. I then activated windows using the key and everything was fine. After a couple of weeks, I was given the option to update to Windows 10, and i did. Well Windows 10 has the ability to easily go back to Windows 7 if you dont like it... for 30 days after installation. the 30 days have passed, and now i'm starting to have some really big problems with windows 10 and i want to go back to windows 7. i have a Windows 7 Pro 64 bit installation CD, but i need to know if the Windows activation key i got originally would still work.

 

[clutchc]

According to the first two paragraphs in this guide, it seems possible to re-use the old Win7 key (after 30 days) for a clean install of Win7 again. http://www.howtogeek.com/220723/how-to-uninstall-windows-10-and-downgrade-to-windows-7-or-8.1/
But I haven't tried it myself, so I can't vouch for the accuracy of the article. Normally this site is spot on with their guides.

 

[Bossyfins]

Once your in windows 10 passed the 30 days, you can not move back. The windows 7 key is locked at a windows 10 key. Source: I can't move down to windows 8.1 :/

 

[Nathanael_1]

According to the first two paragraphs in this guide, it seems possible to re-use the old Win7 key (after 30 days) for a clean install of Win7 again. http://www.howtogeek.com/220723/how-to-uninstall-windows-10-and-downgrade-to-windows-7-or-8.1/
But I haven't tried it myself, so I can't vouch for the accuracy of the article. Normally this site is spot on with their guides.

okay thanks. i think i'll try the downgrade

 

[clutchc]

According to the first two paragraphs in this guide, it seems possible to re-use the old Win7 key (after 30 days) for a clean install of Win7 again. http://www.howtogeek.com/220723/how-to-uninstall-windows-10-and-downgrade-to-windows-7-or-8.1/
But I haven't tried it myself, so I can't vouch for the accuracy of the article. Normally this site is spot on with their guides.

okay thanks. i think i'll try the downgrade

Be sure to read the whole article in case there are any exceptions or pitfalls. I'd make a disk image backup of the system before doing it just in case Bossyfins in correct. Remember, I said I hadn't tried it myself to verify. I uninstalled my Win10 within the 30 grace period.

 

[Nathanael_1]

According to the first two paragraphs in this guide, it seems possible to re-use the old Win7 key (after 30 days) for a clean install of Win7 again. http://www.howtogeek.com/220723/how-to-uninstall-windows-10-and-downgrade-to-windows-7-or-8.1/
But I haven't tried it myself, so I can't vouch for the accuracy of the article. Normally this site is spot on with their guides.

okay thanks. i think i'll try the downgrade

Be sure to read the whole article in case there are any exceptions or pitfalls. I'd make a disk image backup of the system before doing it just in case Bossyfins in correct. Remember, I said I hadn't tried it myself to verify. I uninstalled my Win10 within the 30 grace period.

yeah i read everything and it should work. and i'm already working on the backup. i figured i'd have to do that whether it went smoothly or not anyway.

UPDATE:
i did the installation and all the activation went through. i did have problems with a lot of drivers but i just had to download and reinstall them