hi, I bought a Windows 7 key for about $30 about a year ago and I didn't think about this until now but is my key authentic? I bought the key on a website I can't remember through PayPal and it still works to this day but should I be worried if it gets deactivated? How can I be sure it wasn't used before? also if it does get deactivated, will I lose all my files or will I just need a new key? I should also add that so far my windows key is working perfectly. I got the updates and even got the windows 10 update (even though I didn't update to windows 10). When I check under my computer, it says windows is activated also. If I do decide if I should get a new genuine key from Microsoft themselves, will I have to reinstall windows and lose all my files? Or do I just need to make sure it's wondows 7 pro (because I have pro)?
Windows 7 key
- Thread starter Fcsp88
- Start date
Solution
DookieDraws
Distinguished
- Oct 8, 2004
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I can't tell you if your Windows key is legit or not, but if Windows is activated, it must be. Also, you will not lose any of your files. In fact, if your Windows copy were to get deactivated you would still be able to use Windows. You would just be nagged to buy a legit key.
And if you have to buy a key from Windows, you will simply provide the key and let it activate itself. You will not have to reinstall Windows again.
Don't worry about anything until you run into that problem.
And if you have to buy a key from Windows, you will simply provide the key and let it activate itself. You will not have to reinstall Windows again.
Don't worry about anything until you run into that problem.
SkyNetRising
Titan
- Jan 4, 2016
- 31,772
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You can update to windows 10 using free update for assistive technology users.
Even if your windows 7 key gets deactivated, your windows 10 will stay activated.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgrade
If you change windows 7 pro key to different windows 7 pro key, you don't have to reinstall.
Even if your windows 7 key gets deactivated, your windows 10 will stay activated.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgrade
If you change windows 7 pro key to different windows 7 pro key, you don't have to reinstall.
mcnumpty23
Polypheme
- Jul 15, 2011
- 15,518
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just because windows activated doesnt actually mean its a genuine key
comes up on here all the time sites like g2a etc selling cheap keys
if its too cheap its likely to be dodgy and yes it could get deactivated at any point
comes up on here all the time sites like g2a etc selling cheap keys
if its too cheap its likely to be dodgy and yes it could get deactivated at any point
- Jun 17, 2015
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if it is still active, should be legal
there is a couple commands to determine the exact type of license you have, if it is a msdn license, a oem, a reatail or any other version
you can find more information about that by searching for slmgr commands for windows
about the upgrade to windows 10, that will disable the windows 7 license, and allow the pc where you run the update to have a windows 10 license with digital rights
the windows 7 license will not be usable more on other pcs because microsoft records the jump form 7 to 10 as a permanent process so you can't install windows7 with that license on other pcs, it will not get activated
if you are going to jump to th digitla rights license with windows 10, be sure to do it on a mainboard you will like to keep with that license for a long time, when you sell it, the license goes with it, microsoft as soon as you install windows 10 and connect to internet will give it again the digital rights license to it so the windows 7 license is no longer usable on other pc
there is a couple commands to determine the exact type of license you have, if it is a msdn license, a oem, a reatail or any other version
you can find more information about that by searching for slmgr commands for windows
about the upgrade to windows 10, that will disable the windows 7 license, and allow the pc where you run the update to have a windows 10 license with digital rights
the windows 7 license will not be usable more on other pcs because microsoft records the jump form 7 to 10 as a permanent process so you can't install windows7 with that license on other pcs, it will not get activated
if you are going to jump to th digitla rights license with windows 10, be sure to do it on a mainboard you will like to keep with that license for a long time, when you sell it, the license goes with it, microsoft as soon as you install windows 10 and connect to internet will give it again the digital rights license to it so the windows 7 license is no longer usable on other pc
bicycle_repair_man
Splendid
- Jan 10, 2014
- 5,751
- 2
- 28,960
A Windows 7 Professional product key for $30 should set the alarm bells off straight away.
As mcnumpty23 said, just because Windows has been activated it doesn't mean it'll stay that way. It could transpire that the product key you bought was acquired illegally.
My advice is to play it by ear; wait and see and act if you need to, but use this experience as a lesson. One final point to make is that a genuine Windows 7 Professional product key is going to be considerably more expensive than a genuine Windows 7 Home Premium product key. If you don't want to pay that premium then you'll need to reinstall Windows as there's no downgrade path.
As mcnumpty23 said, just because Windows has been activated it doesn't mean it'll stay that way. It could transpire that the product key you bought was acquired illegally.
My advice is to play it by ear; wait and see and act if you need to, but use this experience as a lesson. One final point to make is that a genuine Windows 7 Professional product key is going to be considerably more expensive than a genuine Windows 7 Home Premium product key. If you don't want to pay that premium then you'll need to reinstall Windows as there's no downgrade path.
Well gee! It still is working and you were able to download W10 without an issue. My intuitive conclusion is that you would have run into a problem with the W10 download were the key not authentic.
While not extensive I have encountered some Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) in the past. A client would find, download, and install an OS install from an unspecified origin - then call me when the nags started. I tried to be gentle when I explained that having that OS running on their machine could open them to all sorts of really nasty things. In those instances I would suggest a clean install of a licensed OS - which would entail a total rebuild. If you are secure with the W7 you are running - eg. a clean source - then changing the key is relatively simple via Control Panel if needed.
Deactivated?? In my experience MS will nag for thirty days before anything drastic could occur - my guess is that your MS updates will not happen if the WGA verification fails.
Used before? Again I believe that MS would have growled at you when you attempted to register your key after you purchased it. I have replaced motherboard on a machine and had to validate that there was a valid key - significant hardware change.
If you are seriously concerned about the validity of your W7 installation - like where did you get the install source or ?? - I would consider the W10 upgrade. I made the W10 install on three machines running W7Pro - when all was said and done the vast majority of my applications, etc. were there and operational. If you go that route - make sure that you have the current W7Pro key at hand so you can roll back if you have to. Others who have done so may have more help for you with that.
Overall, I feel that your key is valid - and that your data is safe. Understand that without a good consistent backup/imaging procedure your data may not be all that secure. Further, there is no way I run a system without some serious antivirus and antimalware applications running. The antivirus/antimalware solutions I use are absolutely genuine. I feel that loading a bootleg of either of those two applications is opening the door and inviting all the bad guys in for an elaborate feast.
While not extensive I have encountered some Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) in the past. A client would find, download, and install an OS install from an unspecified origin - then call me when the nags started. I tried to be gentle when I explained that having that OS running on their machine could open them to all sorts of really nasty things. In those instances I would suggest a clean install of a licensed OS - which would entail a total rebuild. If you are secure with the W7 you are running - eg. a clean source - then changing the key is relatively simple via Control Panel if needed.
Deactivated?? In my experience MS will nag for thirty days before anything drastic could occur - my guess is that your MS updates will not happen if the WGA verification fails.
Used before? Again I believe that MS would have growled at you when you attempted to register your key after you purchased it. I have replaced motherboard on a machine and had to validate that there was a valid key - significant hardware change.
If you are seriously concerned about the validity of your W7 installation - like where did you get the install source or ?? - I would consider the W10 upgrade. I made the W10 install on three machines running W7Pro - when all was said and done the vast majority of my applications, etc. were there and operational. If you go that route - make sure that you have the current W7Pro key at hand so you can roll back if you have to. Others who have done so may have more help for you with that.
Overall, I feel that your key is valid - and that your data is safe. Understand that without a good consistent backup/imaging procedure your data may not be all that secure. Further, there is no way I run a system without some serious antivirus and antimalware applications running. The antivirus/antimalware solutions I use are absolutely genuine. I feel that loading a bootleg of either of those two applications is opening the door and inviting all the bad guys in for an elaborate feast.
If you buy the key from any non-micorosft certified vendor then it is not legal.
All it means at this point is that no one has purchased (or at least activated) that key yet (purchased meaning buying a box or license from MSDN from a microsoft authorized vendor).
The only antivirus software I have is the free version of Bitdefender which seems to be working quite well when I download new things. To my knowledge, the people who sold me the windows key can't get into my computer in any way because of just the key, right? The only way someone can get into my computer and view my files or credit card info is if I download something off the internet? There isn't a way that they can get into my computer just from the key, Right?
No someone in no way has more access to your computer because of a license key.
The issues sent above is because they downloaded some hacked pirated version of windows that likely had rootkits bult into it, vs you who (at least hopefully) installed a normal copy of windows and just used the sketchy key.
As a general practice BenJaD's suggestion about backups is a good one and i always strongly urge people to backup anything they deem "important" or "cant loose"
Now if someone were to actiavte this key in the future you would get a notice from MS that your key is not valid and have x days to get a valid key. Thus you would have time to get your files off.
- Jun 17, 2015
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it depends on the type of license and the country, microsoft partners in different countries can offer these licenses
also when you apply the windows 10 and you get the digital rights, well, it should work from there without the other license, unless microsoft decides that it is no longer valid and then you should buy another
if that happens, talk to the seller, ask for a refund if such happens, if it doesn't happen, then, well, it was valid
retail versions and oem like those on some countries are that cheap, or are all illegal and we are being scammed big time and will be heard in the news
you can get a idea of the situation in this video, how things happen now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXTqz3Fd28M
on another forum was mentioned if the licenses were legitimate but bought with a stilen credit card
that is a whole different situation, no idea what happens there
also when you apply the windows 10 and you get the digital rights, well, it should work from there without the other license, unless microsoft decides that it is no longer valid and then you should buy another
if that happens, talk to the seller, ask for a refund if such happens, if it doesn't happen, then, well, it was valid
retail versions and oem like those on some countries are that cheap, or are all illegal and we are being scammed big time and will be heard in the news
you can get a idea of the situation in this video, how things happen now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXTqz3Fd28M
on another forum was mentioned if the licenses were legitimate but bought with a stilen credit card
that is a whole different situation, no idea what happens there
- Jun 17, 2015
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most of those sketchy license from friends who have told me, end dead at the end of the year, but if it has passed over a year and license is still valid, and now that he is planning to jump into digital rights, we can't say it is illegal or not, at least i can't
so if servers let the proces be, it is still legal, now, since we don't know what type of license is because he hasn't run slmgr and he shouldn't post resutls form that here because he could end pasting his windows key, it is legal, if there is a ilegal or legal situation, that is to be determined by microsoft and the seler, also the buyer
the rest, until a microsoft representative comes and tell us that it is viable or not to buy them and use them, well, i don't have more information about it
now, about the van and the radio, does it have free candy inside too?
perhaps we should call the cops!
so if servers let the proces be, it is still legal, now, since we don't know what type of license is because he hasn't run slmgr and he shouldn't post resutls form that here because he could end pasting his windows key, it is legal, if there is a ilegal or legal situation, that is to be determined by microsoft and the seler, also the buyer
the rest, until a microsoft representative comes and tell us that it is viable or not to buy them and use them, well, i don't have more information about it
now, about the van and the radio, does it have free candy inside too?
perhaps we should call the cops!
- Jun 17, 2015
- 4,910
- 46
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there is another command explaining not only if permanent but also the type of the license
slmgr /dli or slmgr /dlv
the second is more complete
if someone tells you to run slmgr /upk, do not do it, trust me
if when you run slmgr /dlv or dli says something like volume or license from a company, that is a reason to be concerned i think
it should say something about retail, or if mentions 3v66t it menas that is a windows 8 with digital rights, not sure if transferable or not
that much i found on google today 😀
still, the licenses are too much expensive on most countries!
slmgr /dli or slmgr /dlv
the second is more complete
if someone tells you to run slmgr /upk, do not do it, trust me
if when you run slmgr /dlv or dli says something like volume or license from a company, that is a reason to be concerned i think
it should say something about retail, or if mentions 3v66t it menas that is a windows 8 with digital rights, not sure if transferable or not
that much i found on google today 😀
still, the licenses are too much expensive on most countries!
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