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I'm going to reinstall my Windows 7, but when I bought this PC it came with Windows 7 preinstalled and the product key is on a sticker on the PC's case. I have downloaded a Windows 7 Home Premium ISO file from here and I do believe that this download is legal as I found it from superuser.com a while ago. What I'm asking is: will I be able to use my OEM key to install Windows 7 from this ISO file?
1I have to note that they won't work if the builds don't match, e.g. Home Premium VL and Home Premium MSDN can't share keys. – arielnmz – 2014-06-28T20:22:05.330
I read from somewhere that if i use an OEM key on a non OEM install disc i would need to call Microsoft for activation. Is this correct? – user1365830 – 2014-06-28T20:25:29.590
@user1365830 Here is what Microsoft forums say: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/can-an-oem-licence-key-be-used-to-activate-a/495b4da1-c1b7-4d93-82a9-8c8601bbaf32
– Cornelius – 2014-06-28T20:26:57.933Seems like this program may do the trick: http://directedge.us/content/abr-activation-backup-and-restore
– user1365830 – 2014-06-28T20:36:18.0202@arielnmz Home Premium does not have a VL version. – kinokijuf – 2014-06-28T20:54:54.833
@kinokijuf my bad, it was just meant for the example, I just used the same edition Cornelius used on his answer. – arielnmz – 2014-06-28T20:59:24.790
2@user1365830 Vista and above do not have separate OEM discs. – kinokijuf – 2014-06-28T21:04:01.997