[SOLVED] Installing legal copy of Windows 7 Ultimate and restoring files

I purchased a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate on Ebay, and did not realize that it was a illegal copy until I upgraded to SP1, then got the message that it was not a legal copy. I should have suspected something when I was given a download link to go to to download the iso file, and the Activation code was emailed to me, but I thought that by not providing the DVD, Manual, etc, that was how I was able to save money. I have just recently purchased a legal copy of Windows 7 Ultimate that includes the COA, DVD, manuals, etc.

My question is: can I make a system backup of my current "C" drive on Drive "X", by creating a system image, reformat my "C" drive, install the legal copy of W7 Ultimate, then do a system restore of the image file to drive "C" so that I will not have to reinstall all of my other programs? This seems to me to be the only way to remove all of the illegal files on my computer from the illegal copy of W7 Ultimate and save me the hassle of having to reinstall everything that I have loaded on my computer since the installation of the illegal copy of W7 Ultimate.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Ed Wood

Was this download link directly from Microsoft? If so then it was a valid file... in which case, you can simply input the code from your legally purchased package, reactivate Windows, and should be good to go.

To answer your question I hear what you are asking, but system restore doesn't work that way. As long as the download you used for the install was from a legitimate (ie safe) disc image, then all you need to do is input the code from the retail box. I believe typing activate within the start search box will take you to the right area to do this.

edawood - there has been and continues to be available, legitimate downloads of Windows 7 ISOs and legitimate product keys emailed to current users. Many college and university students have received their copy of Windows 7 through that method at a special student discount. Whenever the ISO image file download is from Digital River, you may be assured of a genuine clean legitimate copy of Windows 7. It's the product key that makes the difference in your situation.

You probably received your key from someone selling MS TechNet subscriber keys, which was and is a big no-no as they're intended ONLY for the subscriber's use and no one else. MS in the last 6-9 months has blacklisted thousands of keys that were sold that way and also at the same time reduced the number of keys available to current TechNet subscribers.

Kougars advice, in his last sentence, will work. The consideration here is, as already suggested, from what source did you download. You appear to have been using it for some time, so, if you are happy that you have not picked up any stray keyloggers or other hidden nasties, in your download., then there is no reason to reinstall.

I did not download the iso from Microsoft's website. I don't remember the URL that I used. I cannot use the automatic updates. Every time I try to update it, I get the message screen that it is an illegal copy of Windows. That is the reason I thought that I needed to reformat my "C" drive and do a clean install.

If you think that just changing the activation code and trying to activate it, I will try that first. If all else fails, I suppose that I must reinstall all of my software again. A big hassle, but my own fault for trying to save a few $$$.

Regards,
Ed

Additional thought:

Can I do an image backup and select all files EXCEPT the Win 7 Ultimate files, then after the clean install do a system restore to salvage my other programs? At least that would save a lot of time and work.

Thanks again,
Ed

Changing the activation code WILL work but ...

On a reinstall you can use Windows easy transfer to save user settings and data but you still have to reinstall all your programs plus reapply any registry tweaks/group policy changes you made.

The only programs you could recover are ones that make no changes to the registry (such as portable thumb drive apps) and even then you would manually have to add their shortcuts to your start menu, taskbar, and desktop as desired. In other words any program that changes the registry must be reinstalled so that that change is made on your fresh OS.

Using the Control Panel/System and Security/System/, upon clicking on the "Change product key" under that tab, nothing happens. The window shows a Product ID: of an OEM copy of W7 Ultimate. How can I change it to reflect the purchase of the new retail version of W7 Ultimate that I purchased without using the above method?

Thanks,
Ed

Go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\System.
At the very bottom is an option to "change product key"

That is where I went in the above post. When I click on the "Change product key" line, nothing happens. It does not open up the serial number/product key page where I can type in the new product key.

Is the product key stored in a file that I can delete? Then I could enter the new product key, and hopefully, everything would work correctly.

Thanks again,
Ed