Unusual legal version of win 7 Pro will only give me 10 Home

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

  1. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #11

    Samuria said:
    If you now have enterprise it wnt activate as its done on a local server not direct from MS
    Thats not entirely true. MAK keys are activated via a Microsoft Activation Server. My Windows 10 MAK key activations even get a digital license. I activate them the same way I do a retail key, its all automatically done over the internet.
    Volume License keys on the other hand are usually activated by that companies KMS sever. It has a record of what keys are licensed from Microsoft by that company. And how many times that key has been used etc.
    Fake KMS servers show up from time to time. They don't usually last long as thats one thing Microsoft actively goes after.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #12

    I had a TechNet subscription, and MSDN when I was first accepted as a Microsoft MVP. My MSDN then transitioned into a My Visual Studio Enterprise subscription. The 10 activation limit sounds like what TechNet was restricted too. As near as I can remeber.
    My MSDN Windows 10 MAK keys initially showed as activated with a Product code when used, no Digital License. What I would expect it to show. Then eventually, can't remeber what build, it toggled to activated with a Digital License. I thought it was a glitch and inquired about it on Microsoft's Yammer group. I got no official replay? So now I can do a clean install of Enterprise with a skip entering a key and it activates? Kind of off topic but maybe relevant?
    Windows 7 never ever had digital licenses so that 10 activation limit will come into play. I "think" its activations on 10 different hardware hashes / devices, if its a TechNet key, but could never find that info? If its a corporate key who knows what the limit is? either way in good conscience you should not be using that key. IMHO
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #13

    I should also mention MAK keys are not just issued for Enterprise, there are MAK keys for Pro too. Mainly because there is a VL version of Pro. For Windows 10 Education is also available to VL customers. For Windows 7 I would think it would be Enterprise and Pro.
    The installing Home sounds like there was an OEM embedded key in the BIOS. If you were never prompted to enter a key and Home was installed automatically that is almost certainly what happened. Entering any Windows 7 Enterprise key should fail activation and refuse to actually upgarde to Enterprise. A 7 Pro key should work, maybe even a MAK key? My Windows 10 MAK keys will let me do a change product key etc. They did last time I tried it anyway.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 31,465
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #14

    Try3 said:
    So why the strange activation instructions? What type of Windows 7 licence was it?
    Alloneword said:
    Sounds weird but i don't 100% know for sure...
    Well, there's one sure way to find out, ShowKeyPlus. Click 'Check product key' and type in your key.

    Unusual legal version of win 7 Pro will only give me 10 Home-image.png

    ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Forums
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 2,666
    Windows 11 21H2 (22000.593)
       #15

    alphanumeric said:
    I had a TechNet subscription, and MSDN when I was first accepted as a Microsoft MVP. My MSDN then transitioned into a My Visual Studio Enterprise subscription. The 10 activation limit sounds like what TechNet was restricted too. As near as I can remeber.
    My MSDN Windows 10 MAK keys initially showed as activated with a Product code when used, no Digital License. What I would expect it to show. Then eventually, can't remeber what build, it toggled to activated with a Digital License. I thought it was a glitch and inquired about it on Microsoft's Yammer group. I got no official replay? So now I can do a clean install of Enterprise with a skip entering a key and it activates? Kind of off topic but maybe relevant?
    Windows 7 never ever had digital licenses so that 10 activation limit will come into play. I "think" its activations on 10 different hardware hashes / devices, if its a TechNet key, but could never find that info? If its a corporate key who knows what the limit is? either way in good conscience you should not be using that key. IMHO
    Yup, that is what I remember as well. Since I was never an MVP, I paid for my sub when they were offering very discounted rates (IIRC, under $500) for all the keys that I got, which was a bona fide bargain.

    I'm also pretty sure about the activation limit being enforced, as the university I was attending when I got my Masters had an educational site license that was, IIRC, converted from a technet license - I was installing Windows 7 as a dual boot on a room full of Macs, using an old EFI mgr called rEFIt (no longer developed). I had to place a call after activating a bunch of the machines to Microsoft because of an activation limit, which, with a true site license, I should never have had to do in the first place.

    With my personal machines, I always made sure that I activated the same key on the same machine, so I never hit the limit, which also supports the idea that it was based upon different hardware - although, as we well know, it was a loose interpretation of different hardware with Windows 7, such as it was.

    alphanumeric said:
    I should also mention MAK keys are not just issued for Enterprise, there are MAK keys for Pro too. Mainly because there is a VL version of Pro. For Windows 10 Education is also available to VL customers. For Windows 7 I would think it would be Enterprise and Pro.
    The installing Home sounds like there was an OEM embedded key in the BIOS. If you were never prompted to enter a key and Home was installed automatically that is almost certainly what happened. Entering any Windows 7 Enterprise key should fail activation and refuse to actually upgarde to Enterprise. A 7 Pro key should work, maybe even a MAK key? My Windows 10 MAK keys will let me do a change product key etc. They did last time I tried it anyway.
    Correct on this as well - I have those licenses as well in my KeePass database.

    Bree said:
    Well, there's one sure way to find out, ShowKeyPlus. Click 'Check product key' and type in your key.

    Unusual legal version of win 7 Pro will only give me 10 Home-image.png

    ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Forums
    Based upon many other license checking software that I have used in the past, including one from M$ (that came about when there was a whole slew of OEM keys being purported as legitimate keys being sold on eBay and other sites) I'm betting that it would still show as Retail, even if it was a Technet key.

    ====

    I'm betting this key that the OP posted about is, in fact, a Technet key, since both AN and I have such strong memories on both the TechNet program itself as well as the stipulations that were involved when using those keys. In fact, under the Windows Desktop / 7 folder in my database, I have the following types listed:

    • Windows 7 Enterprise / K / N / KN - Multiple activation with a single key
    • Windows 7 Home Basic - 10 individual keys
    • Windows 7 Home Premium / K - 10 individual keys
    • Windows 7 Home Premium N / KN - 10 individual keys
    • Windows 7 Professional / K - 10 individual keys
    • Windows 7 Professional N / KN - 10 individual keys
    • Windows 7 Starter / K - 10 individual keys
    • Windows 7 Starter N / KN - 10 individual keys
    • Windows 7 Ultimate / K - 10 individual keys (These was what I always installed for my personal machines, hence all 10 having been used)
    • Windows 7 Ultimate N / KN - 10 individual keys


    I also have keys for Vista (which has an Enterprise version with a MAK), Windows XP (which does not have an Enterprise version with MAK), Office 2003 / 2007 / 2010, and various editions of server, also, many with MAKs.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #16

    I keep a list of what key was used on what PC for Windows and Office activation. Same reason didn't want to run in to and activation issue latter on down the road. Thats was really important before the Digital Licenses became the norm. I still have that list, but I haven't had to enter a Windows 10 key for a along while now. Even when I decide to switch editions I just enter the generic key. My My Visual Studio sub runs out middle of next month. I requested every key I think I'll ever need and exported the XML file. I shouldn't really complain, it should have run out long ago but due to a glitch I had to be issued a new sub with a new expiry date. Still have all the keys from the lt too so I don't see me ever coming up short. I only have 4 PC's here at home, two laptops and two desktops. The not being able to download any more ISO's is what I'll miss. The unaltered official ISO's were the big plus for me.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #17

    The following comments are not directed at the OP or any one person in particular, just my 2 cents on this type of thing.

    I guess it all boils down to your definition of "legal". For some, requardless of where the key came from, if that PC activates with that key, they consider it legal. Microsoft wouldn't have activated it if it wasn't etc. IMHO Microsoft is pretty darn lenient when it comes to activation. Consumer wise anyway. On the corporate side, software audits will find the cheaters. Windows and Office licenses can be expensive so i see why people resort to buying E-Bay keys etc. Your rolling the dice on that one IMHO. One reason IMHO for the demise of TechNet was people buying a subscription and then selling all thier keys on places like E-Bay. A TechNet subscription was an afordable option for some consumers. MSDN is a lot more expensive and more geared to corporate customers that aren't as likely to abuse it. I think it still happens though, like when a company goes backrupt and the IT guy is now out of a job, ect. I'm not saying they all do but i bet some do. Like I say just my 2 cents.
    Last edited by alphanumeric; 22 Apr 2019 at 15:20.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 23
    Win 10 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #18

    alphanumeric said:
    The following comments are not directed at the OP or any one person in particular, just my 2 cents on this type of thing.

    I guess it all boils down to your definition of "legal". For some, requardless of where the key came from, if that PC activates with that key, they consider it legal. Microsoft wouldn't have activated it if it wasn't etc. IMHO Microsoft is pretty darn lenient when it comes to activation. Consumer wise anyway. On the corporate side, software audits will find the cheaters. Windows and Office licenses can be expensive so i see why people resort to buying E-Bay keys etc. Your rolling the dice on that one IMHO. One reason IMHO for the demise of TechNet was people buying a subscription and then selling all thier keys on places like E-Bay. A TechNet subscription was an afordable option for some consumers. MSDN is a lot more expensive and more geared to corporate customers that aren't as likely to abuse it. I think it still happens though, like when a company goes backrupt and the IT guy is now out of a job, ect. I'm not saying they all do but i bet some do. Like I say just my 2 cents.
    Must admit when i made my post i had no issues with my disc and key but having read others post i can see how it's a bit grey area, it was a gift to me and i never paid for it so that is why i considered it legal, sorry to the board if this has caused any issues

    All1
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #19

    Its all good here, I'm not making any personal judgements. As near as I can tell you didn'y knowengly try to cheat the system etc. You did what you did in good faith going by what you were originally told. Sometimes the only way to know what the up and up is on something is to ask. You may not like the answers you get but thats how you learn. Then just go from there. If you now have a Digital License you now have a Digital License, you can't really give it back so just keep on trucking. :)
    Last edited by alphanumeric; 07 May 2019 at 07:23.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,666
    Windows 11 21H2 (22000.593)
       #20

    alphanumeric said:
    I keep a list of what key was used on what PC for Windows and Office activation. Same reason didn't want to run in to and activation issue latter on down the road. Thats was really important before the Digital Licenses became the norm. I still have that list, but I haven't had to enter a Windows 10 key for a along while now. Even when I decide to switch editions I just enter the generic key. My My Visual Studio sub runs out middle of next month. I requested every key I think I'll ever need and exported the XML file. I shouldn't really complain, it should have run out long ago but due to a glitch I had to be issued a new sub with a new expiry date. Still have all the keys from the lt too so I don't see me ever coming up short. I only have 4 PC's here at home, two laptops and two desktops. The not being able to download any more ISO's is what I'll miss. The unaltered official ISO's were the big plus for me.
    Lol - GMTA. I have 3 different versions of the XML file I downloaded with all my keys (with 3 very different dates) that I keep backed up, just in case. In addition, what I didn't show you was that, using KeePass's Advanced tab for each entry, I've kept track of each individual key (and where it was installed, no less). A couple of examples:

    1) Windows 7 Home Basic (installed only once as a test - you can see that item #1 is missing - it is at the end of the list because I have a machine name in place of a numeral so alphanumerically it is at the bottom):

    Unusual legal version of win 7 Pro will only give me 10 Home-win7-keys-basic.png

    2) Windows 7 Ultimate / K - (all 10 licenses were used on several of my computers as well as on family members):

    Unusual legal version of win 7 Pro will only give me 10 Home-win7-keys-ultimate.png

    3) Windows 7 Professional / K - (all but 1 were used, primarily on older hardware for installs that had no need for the Ultimate upgrade, as well as in 4 VMs that I later converted to Windows 10 as part of a series of tests):

    Unusual legal version of win 7 Pro will only give me 10 Home-win7-keys-professional.png


    But yeah, since they moved to the digital license thing, I've not had to enter a code, even when cleanly reinstalling, which is a major bonus for me.

    alphanumeric said:
    The following comments are not directed at the OP or any one person in particular, just my 2 cents on this type of thing.

    I guess it all boils down to your definition of "legal". For some, requardless of where the key came from, if that PC activates with that key, they consider it legal. Microsoft wouldn't have activated it if it wasn't etc. IMHO Microsoft is pretty darn lenient when it comes to activation. Consumer wise anyway. On the corporate side, software audits will find the cheaters. Windows and Office licenses can be expensive so i see why people resort to buying E-Bay keys etc. Your rolling the dice on that one IMHO. One reason IMHO for the demise of TechNet was people buying a subscription and then selling all thier keys on places like E-Bay. A TechNet subscription was an afordable option for some consumers. MSDN is a lot more expensive and more geared to corporate customers that aren't as likely to abuse it. I think it still happens though, like when a company goes backrupt and the IT guy is now out of a job, ect. I'm not saying they all do but i bet some do. Like I say just my 2 cents.
    Technically, I remember signing some sort of form that stated I would not share, sell, etc. any of my keys - but I can tell you that I most definitely did share at least 2 keys, one for an emergency case for my best frined's mom, and another to a client of mine who's machine had somehow been converted to a pirated key different from the OEM key that was on the sticker (and attempting to move it back to that OEM key was non-productive, the machine refused to accept it). I gathered through questioning her that when she still lived in CA she took it to a shop to get some work done on it - and suspect that the shop owner (or someone working for said owner, at the very least) was disreputable, at best, and swapped out her legitimate key for a pirated one, or else was just incompetent enough to not be able to reinstall the OS on her machine with the original key.

    Alloneword said:
    Must admit when i made my post i had no issues with my disc and key but having read others post i can see how it's a bit grey area, it was a gift to me and i never paid for it so that is why i considered it legal, sorry to the board if this has caused any issues

    All1
    Absolutely no issues caused at all. As long as Micro$oft says it is a legitimate key, and you did not knowingly pay for software that is pirated, you're fine. I know that at least 3 of the keys I have of Win7 that I distributed (one of hte above named cases, and 2 to my family) are still working and have never given any sort of piracy warning during the entire time, which is now well over a decade.

    alphanumeric said:
    Its all good here, I'm not making any pewrsonal judgements. As near as I can tell you didn'y knowengly try to cheat the system etc. You did what you did in good faith going by what you were originally told. Sometimes the only way to know what the up and up is on something is to ask. You may not like the answers you get but thats how you learn. Then just go from there. If you now have a Digital License you now have a Digital License, you can't really give it back so just keep on trucking. :)
    ^^^^ This - as I said, you didn't go looking on the Internet to obtain a pirated key. You received it from an individual who gave you very explicit instructions (probably including caveats like "Don't share this with anyone else").

    ================

    TBH, I'm actually glad that you posted about the issue. I normally stick to a few subforums here, but this is something that caught my eye and it opened up a whole slew of discussion, which comes to the conclusion: If M$ ain't complaining, you're good. And that is good knowledge for folks to have, particularly those still hanging on to Win7 builds for whatever reason.
      My Computers


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:03.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums