Windows 7 purchase

[TheRundownRabbit]

I'll spare the details and just say I need a new Windows 7 product key, unfortunately, the Microsoft store doesn't sell them anymore, is there any place on the web where I can buy a legitimate copy of Windows 7, hopefully where they can email me a product key?

EDIT: Maybe I wont spare the details after all because some might with-hold their assistance if they believe I pirated my Windows 7 (which is not the case), I had Windows 7 preinstalled on a comp I bought in 2011, I recently built a new computer and threw the HDD in, after awhile I got notifications and black screen telling me my copy of Windows isnt genuine, talked it over with their tech "support" and I have to buy a new product key. I would upgrade to Windows 10, but installing a new OS and going through all that garbage is the last thing I want to do.

 

[TheRundownRabbit]

I had exactly this problem when I upgraded something or other (possibly everything). You should be able to enter your previous product key at the very bottom of the system properties screen and re-activate Windows 7. None of the options provided by Microsoft suggested this, they were all pushing me in the direction of purchasing Windows 8. A bit annoying TBH.

I've tried this, didn't work. I asked tech "support" and the reason is because since I bought a preinstalled version, its a one time activation or some bullshit

 

[SmugFrog]

I've tried this, didn't work. I asked tech "support" and the reason is because since I bought a preinstalled version, its a one time activation or some bullshit

That's crazy - so you own a legitimate copy of Windows 7, but they won't let you install it on another computer and it tells you the product key is in use? Seems like I ran into this problem a while back, and we called them to activate over the phone, my wife gave them the key and told them the old computer died and was no longer in use so we were installing it on a new machine. As long as you have that key, you should be good to go. You might try calling them again or asking to speak to their supervisor, and make sure you tell them the old computer HD / files are destroyed and you're having to perform a clean install.

 

[Total LOLige]

You can buy supposedly legitimate Windows 7 keys and other things on the subreddit R/Microsoftsoftwareshop. It'll cost about $20 for Windows 7. I think the keys are probably OEM keys or the ones that are given free to students. So, they will probably have a limited number of activations(1 if I had to guess). You'll need to be careful as one too many upgrades may call for reactivation and you could need a new key. It may even be worth searching eBay for a reasonably priced "proper retail" copy.