Windows 7 install

zytok · 19 Oct 2009 at 17:07

was expecting my copy of Windows 7 to turn up today as a friend who ordered at the same time has his but mines not turned up. Question is, can I legally install his copy and just enter the serial number later when my copy turns up or does it insist on the serial during installation?

Rainmaker · 19 Oct 2009 at 17:15

You'd be fine to do that, no problems at all really. If you bought different versions though (eg HP v Ultimate) make sure you install the version YOU paid for. You can do that either by choosing it at the prompt that appears during install when you choose not to enter a serial, or by ripping the install DVD to a USB and removing the relevant config file.

zytok · 19 Oct 2009 at 18:26

can anyone else confirm whether the full retail release allows you to skip entering a product key on installation?

Daegan · 19 Oct 2009 at 19:00

Yes you can skip entering a product key on installation.

You need to enter a product key to activate it, but Windows gives you 30 days to do this (90 days if you rearm it twice).