Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Student Windows 7 Pro Activate

Oct 29, 2009 4:47PM PDT

So I got the Student Windows 7 pro for 29.99. I downloaded it and converted the exe to an ISO and Windows 7 pro installed just fine.

Because its an upgrade I did the trick of by-passing the Product Key and just planed on entering it in later (You get 30 days to activite it). Well its later, so I went and got the product key I was given and paste it in. Windows 7 says its not a valide product key. I then go to my e-mail that digital River sent and paste that in. Same thing.

Not sure whats going on here?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
What happens if you play no tricks?
Oct 29, 2009 11:11PM PDT

That is, why not follow the directions?

- Collapse -
Directions?
Oct 30, 2009 12:50AM PDT

Whos Directions should I follow?

- Collapse -
Microsofts?
Oct 30, 2009 5:13AM PDT

"Because its an upgrade I did the trick of by-passing the Product Key"

Just do this without any tricks.

- Collapse -
That doesn't matter.
Oct 31, 2009 4:49AM PDT

That doesn't change how a product key would work! If I did an upgrade or if I did a clean install the product key would work on either one!

I wonder if they gave me a Home Pre Key installed of a Pro key.

- Collapse -
Tricks?
Oct 31, 2009 5:10AM PDT

Sorry but I've learned that tricks are to be avoided. Even more so when it fails. Do the upgrade or install NORMALLY without any trickery. As to mismatched keys, ask the place that supplies these as no one else can tell.
Bob

- Collapse -
Worked fine
Nov 2, 2009 3:02AM PST

When I tried it before to active Windows 7 it was midnight. Sent off an e-mail the company I got Windows 7 from.

This Saturday at around noon I tried it again and it worked fine. Windows servers must have been down (It would have been nice to get an error that told me that).

I got an e-mail from the company today and they confirmed I had the right Key.