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Getting a product key for a Windows 7 iso bootcamp install?

C

cossie

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 8, 2006
74
0
Hey,

I've installed Windows 7 on my Macbook Pro using Bootcamp. I used an iso I downloaded from the Microsoft website, but I can't for the life of me find an online (or at least a site I feel comfortable using) retailer of product keys!

Does anyone know of a legitimate place I can buy a product key? Or is it a stupid case that I'll have to buy a physical copy of Windows 7?

Every Microsoft based link redirects me to Windows 8 / Windows 8.1 but I can't find anywhere to buy a Windows 7 product key.

And the reason I'm using Windows 7 is because my Macbook Pro won't support Windows 8.

Thanks,

Cossie
 
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cossie said:
I can't for the life of me find an online (or at least a site I feel comfortable using) retailer of product keys!
Click to expand...

Think long and hard about why that might be the case, then pick up a legitimate OEM copy of Windows 7.
 
iamMacPerson said:
What MacBook Pro do you have that Windows 8 doesn't support? Is it because of an older version of OS X or a Core Duo processor?
Click to expand...

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Basically when I have Bootcamp Assistant open I get 2 options to pick from (get the latest drivers and install windows 7), and not 3 like any of the Windows 8 install tutorials I've read show.

And I also got a pop up to say "This Mac only supports Windows 7, do you want to continue?".

I'm using Bootcamp 5.1.2 on an i7 MBP running Mavericks (10.9.2).
 
saturnotaku said:
Think long and hard about why that might be the case, then pick up a legitimate OEM copy of Windows 7.
Click to expand...

Excuse me but I've done nothing illegal.

It turns out that even though you can download a Windows 8 iso (as well as other MS products) from the MS store AND then buy a product key from their online store (or so forum posts report), you can't do the same for Windows 7. You can download an iso for Windows 7 that lasts for a 30 day trial until you activate it with a product key - but there's no online way to buy a key from Microsoft for Windows 7 this way. I have to buy a physical copy.

And If any of the stores around me sold physical copies of Windows 7 I would have bought one already but everywhere sells Windows 8.
 
chrfr said:
Exactly which model is it? Any MBP with an i7 should be able to run the 64 bit version of Windows 8/8.1. Refer here: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5634
Click to expand...

Thanks chrfr. I did check that previously and I have a Early 2011 MBP. If you see in my earlier reply to iamMacPerson, I'm getting a pop up in Bootcamp Assistant to say my machine only supports Windows 7 even though Apple says I can install Windows 8 / 8.1 :(
 
cossie said:
Thanks chrfr. I did check that previously and I have a Early 2011 MBP. If you see in my earlier reply to iamMacPerson, I'm getting a pop up in Bootcamp Assistant to say my machine only supports Windows 7 even though Apple says I can install Windows 8 / 8.1 :(
Click to expand...

I bet this was fixed with 10.9.3. Try installing that and I don't think you'll see that error anymore.
Edit: Well, maybe not. Is your MBP a 13"? In any case, if you have Win 8 already, I'd just ignore the error and install it anyway as it will work fine.
I have Win 8.1 64 bit installed on a 2008 Macbook Pro in Boot Camp, and it runs perfectly well even though it's not supported.
 
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