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I have a Toshiba laptop with Windows Vista Home Premium installed. And I'm considering an online upgrade purchase of Windows 7 Ultimate. The site's description of the product reads:

"Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 32/64 Full Version /or Upgrade. Already activated no key needed. You don't even have to have an operating system just insert DVD."

Is this legitimate? I thought one always needed an activation key along with the Operating System hardware.

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If you are buying an upgrade from the manufacturer, then this is legit. Any other reseller, then I'd hesitate without verification from the OEM.

The no activation is part of Microsoft's agreement with OEMs that allow them to install Windows on their hardware without having to type in a key. A combination of specific hardware and software allows them to do that.

Which, again, is why I'd make sure it was through Toshiba and no one else.

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$5 says it's a pirated copy of Windows 7... Besides who needs Ultimate in the end? – Luke Oct 31 '11 at 23:42
@Luke How would you send a fax on home versions? – AndrejaKo Nov 1 '11 at 8:02
@AndrejaKo I always used Winfax... Doesn't Windows 7 Home send faxes? Who uses faxes anymore too? – Luke Nov 1 '11 at 15:21
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Yup. All Win7 editions support faxing out of the box. windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows7/products/features/… – Luke Nov 1 '11 at 15:23
@Luke I must have confused it with Vista then. I remember that there was a version of windows that had faxing only in ultimate and business/enterprise versions. Also many many people use fax even today (which may be come as a shock to you). Some of the reasons are explained here – AndrejaKo Nov 1 '11 at 17:55
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