I have a retail version of Windows 7 Professional that I purchased for my desktop several years ago. When I purchased it, I was having to reinstall Windows occasionally due to problems and I hated having to do it using the OEM version that came with the system so I purchased a retail version to use the next time I needed one. I have never installed it because I haven't needed it. If I had not purchased it, I would have needed it a long time ago. Now I'm wondering if I should go ahead and install it and get it activated or should I just wait? I hate the thoughts of having to download all of the updates plus reinstall everything. If I need to get it activated, is there a way to activate it without having to do a clean install? Any advice?
If I was you, I would keep using the OEM license. You can keep using that as long as you like. If you want to upgrade to Windows 10 at some point, you can do so using your Windows 7 license key. If your OEM license is for Windows 7 Home Premium, you will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 Home. However, you could use your Win 7 Pro license, to upgrade to Windows 10 Professional.
My OEM and my retail versions are 64 bit and Windows Professional. I may have to upgrade to Windows 10 some day but I have tried it and I didn't like it at all. It was nothing but problems so I hope I don't have to. How long do they activate old Windows versions after they have quit selling them?
OEM licenses are tied to the device they were sold on and are good for the life of that device. No reason for a retail license unless you want to transfer it to another device. 32 and 64 bit are not dependent on a particular license, you can use whichever you choose. An unactivated license can be activated for a long time. You've got until at least EOL in 2020 and probably a couple of years or so longer at least unless they change that. Ultimately they seem to give in to public outcry if enough people complain about such changes.
hi all. I need advice. I'm about to upgrade lenovo y570 laptop with a SSD (I will clone HDD to it). Will my win7 64 home that was pre-installed be deactivated by this or this change shouldn't trigger this?
If you are cloning the existing drive to the new one your should not have any issues. It is possible but I have never had a problem. If so, worst case you reactivate. If that doesn't work you call and reactivate. A hassle but ultimately shouldn't be a major problem.
