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Windows 7 enterprise Downgrade |
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#1 |
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,570
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Windows 7 enterprise Downgrade
I help out at a local charity and they have been given a PC with W7 enterprise on it. How can I downgrade it so as to be able to put W10 on it for free?
I've looked at the Windows 7 downgrader tool which seems easy, the only problem is they don't have a W7 installation disc and licence to complete the process. Anyone have any other tips? It's not vital as the machine is running OK on W7, but, they would like it on W10 so it's the same as their other machines. Please don't start a W7 v W10 argument, that's been done to death....
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#2 |
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales
Posts: 607
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The Enterprise edition of Windows is only ever supplied as licences so it's possible the PC had an installed OS when bought.
Have a good look around the case for a COA sticker which will be for a non-enterprise version. It could be for Win 7 (if you're lucky) but may have a Windows 8 sticker and the key for that should be embedded in the BIOS for re-install. You do realise that the 'Free' upgrade period for windows 10 has passed? If the hardware had not been used to carry out a Windows 10 upgrade/install during the free period then it won't install now without a valid key. |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
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Enterprise licenses can't be legally transferred or donated, so what you have to begin with is not compliant and needs to be addressed first.
Unless you have a machine that has been self-built, it will have an OEM licence for Windows. Probably Professional if a business PC. Contacting the OEM in the first instance would be my suggestion as they could supply media and driver discs that were intended for that model of PC. Failing that any Windows 7 disc should work provided it is for the right edition but you would manually need to enter the key on the CoA sticker to activate. If it was a Windows 8 machine there will be no product key on the CoA sticker but the data should be held within the BIOS and it will activate automatically, this however will not activate Windows 7 so you would need to ensure you use the media designed for that PC. In the retail editions of Windows you only get downgrade rights with the Pro and Ultimate editions. With regards the free Windows 10 upgrade, that offer officially ended a while ago but I was personally able to upgrade a Win7 Pro to 10 upgrade by running the media creation tool and doing an in-place upgrade on a freshly activated Win7 install. This was about 2 months ago so no idea if this still works. There is also a section of the MS site that offers upgrades for people who use the accessibility components, though this isn't actually vetted. |
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#4 |
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Hertfordshire
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Is the computer for employee use? If so, it's worth checking to see if the charity would be eligible to receive free licences from Microsoft.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/phil...s/eligibility/ If it's for beneficiary use then checking to see what OS (if any) it would have shipped with when new would be the first step as said above and then verify if a BIOS licence / key is present. |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sandy Heath, Beds. UK
Posts: 10,377
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Quote:
I help out at a local charity and they have been given a PC with W7 enterprise on it. How can I downgrade it so as to be able to put W10 on it for free?
I've looked at the Windows 7 downgrader tool which seems easy, the only problem is they don't have a W7 installation disc and licence to complete the process. Anyone have any other tips? It's not vital as the machine is running OK on W7, but, they would like it on W10 so it's the same as their other machines. Please don't start a W7 v W10 argument, that's been done to death.... ![]() Is their a product key on the PC saying what OS originally came with it? There is also a slim hope of a recovery partition. The make/model of the PC would have been useful. |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,843
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Quote:
With regards the free Windows 10 upgrade, that offer officially ended a while ago but I was personally able to upgrade a Win7 Pro to 10 upgrade by running the media creation tool and doing an in-place upgrade on a freshly activated Win7 install. This was about 2 months ago so no idea if this still works.
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#7 |
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sandy Heath, Beds. UK
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Quote:
It still works.
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#8 |
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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Quote:
As above, the W7 Enterprise isn't licensed for your use, and you certainly can't upgrade to W10 for free.
Is their a product key on the PC saying what OS originally came with it? There is also a slim hope of a recovery partition. The make/model of the PC would have been useful. I'll be checking the machine out when I can get back into the office to see if it has any stickers. Sorry (Cardinal sin - no make and model) It's a Viglen Omnino Thanks to everybody that has replied so far....
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#9 |
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Devon
Posts: 12,832
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Quote:
I realise it isn't licensed for anyone else's use, but, we are where we are. If I can downgrade it to Professional or other the W10 Assistive Technologies route is still open for a free install.
I'll be checking the machine out when I can get back into the office to see if it has any stickers. Sorry (Cardinal sin - no make and model) It's a Viglen Omnino Thanks to everybody that has replied so far.... ![]() This is a windfall computer that the, supposedly, Professional Charity wants to use in their Office. Since they are already using some computers, they should have a set of policies and procedures that must be adhered to. If not, someone should write them. For example, off the top of my head 1. Electrical Safety (PAT Testing) 2. Software Licensing 3. Security and anti-Malware measures 4. Backup measures Even if the computer was for re-sale, 1 and 2 would apply. Presumably the Charity Office is Audited from time to time? Auditors don't like dangerous and illegal practices |
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#10 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,741
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Quote:
It still works.
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Really? Wow.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RobinOfLoxley
Since they are already using some computers, they should have a set of policies and procedures that must be adhered to. If not, someone should write them.
I'd also warn if OP intends to take this on as a long term thing that a lot of shady companies will offload their old/broken equipment on to charities and schools etc in the guise that they are doing them a favour, when the reality is what they are doing is using you as a free disposal service. Have seen it many a time where someone has been left with a small mountain of broken garbage that is worse than what they had already, and subsequently been left out of pocket paying for it to be taken away. |
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#11 |
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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You are not being cute for your own benefit at home or as a favour to a friend.
This is a windfall computer that the, supposedly, Professional Charity wants to use in their Office. Since they are already using some computers, they should have a set of policies and procedures that must be adhered to. If not, someone should write them. For example, off the top of my head 1. Electrical Safety (PAT Testing) 2. Software Licensing 3. Security and anti-Malware measures 4. Backup measures Even if the computer was for re-sale, 1 and 2 would apply. Presumably the Charity Office is Audited from time to time? Auditors don't like dangerous and illegal practices If you have any answers to the specific problem put forward then please feel free to join in. |
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#12 |
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Crystal Palace TX
Posts: 19,702
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Quote:
1. Electrical Safety (PAT Testing)
http://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/fa...ce-testing.htm |
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#13 |
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Devon
Posts: 12,832
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Suit yourself. I've insinuated nothing either, merely advised you some of the issues that a reputable organisation needs to consider.
Your query has already been answered in this thread |
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#14 |
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,476
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Quote:
I realise it isn't licensed for anyone else's use, but, we are where we are. If I can downgrade it to Professional or other the W10 Assistive Technologies route is still open for a free install.
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#15 |
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Devon
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At the risk of going off topic. There's an awful lot of myths around PAT testing. Here's a summary from a government website:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/fa...ce-testing.htm |
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#16 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,476
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Quote:
Enterprise licenses can't be legally transferred or donated, so what you have to begin with is not compliant and needs to be addressed first.
Unless you have a machine that has been self-built, it will have an OEM licence for Windows. Probably Professional if a business PC. This in turn means that unless there is a COA on the machine (or was at the time of purchase), then the Enterprise license on there wasn't legitimately installed anyway. |
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#17 |
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,476
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Quote:
Is their a product key on the PC saying what OS originally came with it? There is also a slim hope of a recovery partition. The make/model of the PC would have been useful.
Simply create media using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool, format the drive during install, and activate using the 7 COA. It works. |
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#18 |
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Crystal Palace TX
Posts: 19,702
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Quote:
Electrical equipment must be safe. PAT is one way of doing that, for some types of equipment.
Sorry it's one my bugbears - there's a whole artificial industry in this country which seems to create work for itself doing needless PAT testing, often annually and putting stickers on equipment. As the HSE link posted earlier shows, is not necessary and certainly not legally required. That's not to say it doesn't have a place in high risk situations. I'll go back to lurking now - as it's way O/T
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#19 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,741
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Quote:
VLK / Open Licenses for Workstation OSs are an implied "upgrade". So a computer has to have Windows 7 Home (for example) to use a 7 Enterprise key. You can't use VLK on a machine with no OEM or retail license. This little-understood fact sounds crazy, but it's true.
This in turn means that unless there is a COA on the machine (or was at the time of purchase), then the Enterprise license on there wasn't legitimately installed anyway.
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#20 |
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Join Date: May 2005
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Sorry it's one my bugbears - there's a whole artificial industry in this country which seems to create work for itself doing needless PAT testing ....
You may have been working in the building industry for most of your life but you are required to attend a course which awards you a certificate for complex things like climbing a ladder. |
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#21 |
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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Suit yourself. I've insinuated nothing either, merely advised you some of the issues that a reputable organisation needs to consider.
Quote:
You are not being cute for your own benefit at home or as a favour to a friend. Not well written if there was no insinuation....But, if you say so, we can let it lie...
This is a windfall computer that the, supposedly, Professional Charity wants to use in their Office. |
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#22 |
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,570
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Calm down folks.....It's been PAT tested.
Thanks for everyone's input. If I manage to do it (probably won't ) I'll post the process. It'll have to wait until after the Christmas break now......Thanks again. |
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#23 |
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Devon
Posts: 12,832
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Not how I read it.
Not well written if there was no insinuation....But, if you say so, we can let it lie... It's destined for a business where liabilities may result. |
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#24 |
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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Quote:
All I meant was, it's not a home project where one can bend or break the rules with impunity.
It's destined for a business where liabilities may result. I just asked for a solution to a query they had. However, thank you for your advice. |
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