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Question

Windows 7 product key

May 6, 2015 6:38AM PDT

Hi to everyone, i brought my computer to a shop a few weeks ago for the substitution of the hard disk.
They did not register windows with the product key as the code under my pc was partially cancelled, and they told me that i could have done it calling microsoft.
I tried to download a program for the product key, but it gave me just a default key, useless for the registration.
Then i called several times microsoft and samsung, but both of them were unable to give me the product key even if i had the ID of my computer.
So i tried to call vodafone(i bought the pc through them), i went to the shop where i got it with the original boxes of the purchase, but even them were unable to find it or gave me a new one.
At this stage i see myself compelled to buy a new product key, i just wanna be surethat it will work as i have seen in the microsoft website that in this case i should buy or download a new windows 7. Maybe i didn't understand as i'm not good with this kind of things....can i buy just a product key or i need a new windows 7? Thank you very much to who will help me. Best Regards

Discussion is locked

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Answer
OEM key?
May 6, 2015 6:45AM PDT

Those are between you and the PC maker to solve.

But there is an exit folk are using to save the 99 bucks. Install Windows 10. Yes, it's not released but the current version is free for maybe a long time.

Almost all "product key" sales are illicit. I would buy the real thing or just move to 10.
Bob

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Windows 7 Product Key
May 6, 2015 4:31PM PDT

Thanks Bob! You have been very helpful!

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Answer
In the interim, have some fun
May 7, 2015 2:26AM PDT

buy a $10 USB3 flash drive to keep on keychain, like this direct from a manufacturer (to avoid EBay fakes).

Download and "burn image" of Mint Linux 17 MATE to a DVD. Read the release and announcement info there too.

or can order a disc.


Boot from the LIVE DVD and do a full install of the Mint 17 MATE operating system to the USB3 flashdrive. This is a full install and not the LIVE type of install. Windows won't do full installs to USB drives, but Linux will, both to USB hard drives and USB flash drives.

Video to show how. Other similar videos there too, showing both full installation and making the more compressed and limited LIVE USB or DVD types.

We have a Linux forum here too if you run into problems. To run the system, just choose to boot to the USB3 flashdrive and you can also save files to it. It can be set to be encrypted, or add instead a second user which is encrypted instead. It's a fully functional system, just like it was installed to a hard drive. Great for emergency use and travel, where encryption if used keeps your info safe.