Installing Windows 7 using non-Lenovo media

Is it possible to use a retail or a non-Lenovo Windows 7 media but use the product key on my laptop?
I really want a fresh install of Windows without having to use the recovery disk.
If anyone has any alternatives let me know.
Thanks.

I don't think so. The keys are a different subset for OEM and retail and using an OEM key for a retail SKU (even though they match, i.e. Ultimate OEM key --> Ultimate retail SKU) won't work.

Similar Messages

  • HT4407 Hey, I am unable to install windows 7 using 'bootcamp 5.0' . I have already partitioned the drive as (mac Os Extended Journaled) and yet it seems bootcamp won't acknowledge this?

    Hey, I am unable to install windows 7 using 'bootcamp 5.0' . I have already partitioned the drive as (mac Os Extended Journaled) and yet it seems bootcamp won't acknowledge this?
    My first thoughts were that 'bootcamp' was out of date...needed an upgrade to register windows 7. Since then I am once again met with the same problem... how can it not see the I have already have a paritioned drived ready to be used for installition, is there a way to fix this problem? I don't really want to pay out for 'i-parition' only to merge my 2 drives back into one and start again from scratch =/. Seems silly to do so...what are my options?
    Regards Swishi...p.s If anyone can help me...it'll make my day :3.

    ONE PARTITION.
    You don't need to buy anything but you should have backups.
    you can delete #2 you created. Then resize to full drive.
    There are already
    GPT
    EFI
    Mac
    Recovery
    and there needs to be Windows which cannot be higher ID
    Reading the instructions first and just swallow whatever pride or inidignation. It is a "my way or highwar" setup and utility,.
    http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/boot_camp_install-setup_10.7.pdf
    create a Windows support software (drivers) CD or USB storage media
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4407
    The Boot Camp Assistant can burn Boot Camp software (drivers) to a DVD or copy it to a USB storage device, such as a flash drive or hard drive. These are the only media you can use to install Boot Camp software.
    https://support.apple.com/kb/HT4569
    Installation Guide  Instructions for all features and settings.
    Boot Camp 4.0 FAQ  Get answers to commonly asked Boot Camp questions.
    Windows 7 FAQ  Answers to commonly asked Windows 7 questions.
    http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

  • How can I install Mac Mini drivers for Windows 7 32-bit if I didn't install Windows 7 using bootcamp?

    Hello. I have a mac-mini (mid 2010) and with bootcamp, was successfully running XP.
    I then decided to upgraded to Windows 7 had lots of trouble installing it on my existing bootcamp partition.
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    I had thought the Bootcamp Assistant was for only fresh installs of a Windows O.S. where no partitiion existed previously.
    I had a partition so thought Bootcamp wasn't required for my needs.
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    I exported my settings to a text file on a USB Stick, then on Windows was able to successfully install AirPort Utility and import the settings.
    But it still doesn't find my network. I am pretty sure I'm broadcasting my SSID...
    So I need to know the following:
    1) How to know I'm broadcasting my SSID - where do I find this in settings?
    2) How I can install my mac-mini drivers on Windows 7 so I can use my existing wireless network, now that I've gone through the installation without using Bootcamp?
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    One other thing I tried was downloading Bootccamp 4.x and installing that on Windows 7 to see if it gives me the drivers that were supposed to be written to my USB stick if I had installed Windows 7 using Bootcamp in the first place... However I think the message it said was that it couldn't install as it was the wrong version. So I'm still stuck without drivers and therefore no internet.
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    Other Info:
    I'm running Mac OS X 10.6.8 with 2 GB of memory.
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    I can tell you that BootCamp Assistant is v3.0.4, but don't know if that means Bootcamp is also 3.0.4.
    Hope you can help.
    Thanks.

    I tried something that worked for me...
    Knowing that after my install of Windows 7 wasn't the correct method (didn't go through bootcamp), and the BootCamp 4.x package wouldn't install under windows 7, I tried reinstalling Bootcamp 4.x in Windows 7 to see what the exact message was it gave me. The message said it couldn't install because of a 32-bit O.S. vs a 64-bit version of the package.
    So that got me thinging - my XP version was 32-bit, and so is my Windows 7 installation. So I tried installing the bootcamp that came with my Mac OS X installation CD. This is bootcamp version 3.1.
    Not only did it install, but it practically took care of everything driver-wise for me. I was then able to see my wireless network, enter my password and I was connected. The only thing else I had to do to get on the Internet was bring IE8 online (guess it ships offline by default). Firewall and Antivirus are now installed, just a few more things to go.
    That's one thing that's just not clear that I'll be sure to note for next time... The Bootcamp packages you download are actually driver packages for Windows. That is where the Windows drivers exists that are necessary to make your Windows 7 PC work on a bootcamp partition!
    I didn't need the AirPoirt Utility at all (at least, I never went into it).
    Thanks VikingOSX for your post. I will not need to follow the steps you provided, but they may help someone else as all of these bootcamp issues I've been reading seem to be very unique per installation.
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  • I tried installing Windows 7 using Boot Camp, but it didn't work, I don't know how to "unparticion" the memory I gave to Boot Camp, and Boot Camp "vanished", help...

    I tried installing Windows 7 using Boot Camp, but it didn't work.
    Although it didn't work, the memory is still divided. So I looked for Boot Camp in aplications, but it literally vanished...
    So I tried downloading it again, but I only found EXE files... they don't work on my MacBook Pro...
    It's very new... Bought it recently...
    Please... I need help to unparticion memory back to original Mac HD and install Boot Camp...
    Thanks...

    Below is the paragraph from the instructions. Follow it exactly and then report what happens at each stage.
    How you remove Windows from your computer depends on whether you installed
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    partition:  Start up in Mac OS X and use Disk Utility, in the Utilities folder, to reformat it
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    2  Quit all open applications and log out any other users on your computer.
    3  Open Boot Camp Assistant.
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    5  Do one of the following:
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    b  If your computer has multiple internal disks, select the disk with Windows on it,
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  • HT4407 When installing Windows 7 using Bootcamp, I get message: "Need 64-bit Windows Installation USB drive or DVD."  I thought my install disk was for 32 or 64 bit.  What does this mean?

    When Installing Windows 7 using Bootcamp, I get message:  "Need 64 bit Windows installation USB drive or DVD."  What does this mean?

    It means you need the 64 bit Version of Windows on a USB stick or DVD.

  • Installing Windows 7 using bootcamp help

    Hi all,
    I am planning to install windows 7 using bootcamp to play PC games only, as love mac software for everything else, and want to make sure that all will run smoothly before i buy the required stuff.
    I am running OSX 10.8.5 on my iMac, which has a wireless keyboard, wireless trackpad, and wireless mouse, and a connected external superdireve (for CD's and disks, sorry to patronise just wanting to be clear ) and wanted to know if i can install windows using a disk that i buy in a normal pack, as i have heard that the external drives can have problems?
    All advice much appreciated!

    this will install as normal. before installing however you will need an activation key cos in win 7 this is one of the first pages that is presented before instalation.
    the key from your relative could possibly work especially if he used your internet connection to register. but this could cause problems with his/your authenticity after 30 days.
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  • Installing Windows 7 Using bootcamp 5.0 on MBPr OSX 10.8.2 Black Screen Not Loading Windows 7 Install on Boot

    I am trying to install Windows 7 using Bootcamp Assistence 5.0 on a MacBook Pro Retina OSX 10.8.2, I went through all steps on Creatting the Windows 7.iso into a bootable USB Dirve 16GB I use a separate USB Drive 2 GB and download Windows Support Drivers Step 2 on bootcamp assistence. I run into the problem in step 3 when the computer reboot I just get a black screen the back display still on like I can still see the apple on the back lit up, but the screen is black and wont load the window installer, if i shut it down and bring it back up i get error saying IOS not found so then i have to shut it down, enter recovery and restart on osx partition, i can see that the bootcamp partition was created but cant load windows to it. Please can anybody help me or guide me on what i am doing wrong? thank you so much in advance

    this will install as normal. before installing however you will need an activation key cos in win 7 this is one of the first pages that is presented before instalation.
    the key from your relative could possibly work especially if he used your internet connection to register. but this could cause problems with his/your authenticity after 30 days.
    the only other option is to purchase a key.
    you say a 30 day trial, does it give you a temporary key for this?

  • How to install windows 7 using usb as the bootcamp doesnot have the option of creating a bootable usb. please help

    I have an intel based mac with 10.6.8 mac os x. How to install windows 7 using usb as the bootcamp doesnot have the option of creating a bootable usb. please help

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities
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    - MacBook Air.
    - iMac (Late 2012).
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  • I want to instal windows 7 using bootcamp on my mac book pro and how large do i have to make the partition if i want to use it for gaming?

    i want to instal windows 7 using bootcamp on my mac book pro and how large do i have to make the partition if i want to use it for gaming?

    "At least 16 GB of free space on the disk onto which you’re installing for 32-bit, or 20 GB for 64-bit (for Microsoft Windows and Windows-based applications)."
    That's what Apple proposes in here Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows
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  • My computer cannot install windows 7 using boot comp

    hi
          my computer macbook pro cannot install windows 7 using bootcomp

    You really have not given any details.
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  • Trouble installing Windows XP using vmfusion

    As a new Mac user, I tried to install Windows XP using vmfusion. I installed vmfusion with no problems, and then tried to install my Windows XP disk. After I answered all the questions, it showed me one link to to start the installation and another to get more info. I asked for the info, but when I finished reading it, the link to start the installation had disappeared and I couldn't find it again. However, it started what looked like an installation process even though I hadn't commanded it. When it was done, a Windows home screen briefly appeared, but when I clicked it vanished and I never saw it again. When I go to vmfusion and click on Windows XP Home Edition I get a menu that shows much of the XP content, and I can use programs like notepad and wordpad. But the Startup menu has no content. Also, when I go to the Finder and double click on my virtual machine I get a Connection Failed message. I'd appreciate any suggestions that would enable me to fix it at home without having to bring the machine back to the store.

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  • I installed windows 7 using Boot camp, Then i wanted to install the support software using boot camp and it always stops at 50% i tried installing the software using internet it always gives me error when i start installing it on windows, What to do?

    I installed windows 7 using Boot camp, Then i wanted to install the support software using boot camp and it always stops at 50% i tried installing the software using internet it always gives me error when i start installing it on windows, What to do?

    What is the error? Are you following the Bootcamp instructions? Where on the "internet" are you trying to install from? Did you try downloading from here http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/downloads/?

  • I have installed Windows 7 using Boot Camp on Macbook Pro OSX 10.9.3, I'm not able to connect to wireless and its not showing as well in network sharing. Please help

    I have installed Windows 7 using Boot Camp on Macbook Pro OSX 10.9.3, I'm not able to connect to wireless and its not showing as well in network sharing. Please help

    Hello Bhagyeshree
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    OS X Mavericks: Add a network location
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    Wi-Fi: How to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4628
    Regards,
    -Norm G.  

  • I just installed windows 7 using bootcamp.  My sound is not working.  any tips?

    so, As my title says, I just installed windows 7 using boot camp.  However, My sound is not working.  at all.  This is a problem as most of what I do involves sound.
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    you, or we,still need to install audio driver, likely Cirrus,
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    I installed windows 8 using boot camp assistance.  I finished and it looks like windows installed successfully.  When I search for boot camp.  It doesn't find it.  When I restart the computer it comes up in windows.  How do i get back to the apple side?

    You did made a backup before you started all of this with BootCamp, didn't you?
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