I have an old version of Windows7 buried somewhere in the garage. It is a few years old so let’s assume it is the original version. I believe the activation code is still valid and if it is, is there any advantage in buying the latest version of Win7 (no not Win8)?
Windows 7 is going to download a huge bunch of updates when you register it; if you bought a new copy it would still download several updates–just not as many of them. So go ahead and use it.
Windows 7 is Windows 7. As PastTense says, the only difference between and old and new “version” is how many updates it’ll need to download.
The only possible difference between an old version of Windows 7 and a new version of Windows 7 is that the new copy might come with Service Pack 1 already installed. Though it’s quite possible that it doesn’t, in which case you would be purchasing exactly the same bits that you already own. Worst case scenario if you install your old copy is that you will have more updates to download. Unless you’re still on dial-up, the difference will be trivial.
Depending on where you bought your Windows 7 copy (was it retail?), it may or may not let you activate it on your current computer. The copies that come with new computers, for example, aren’t often transferable to other systems unless they happen to be from the same manufacturer, and even then there’s no guarantee. Sometimes phone activation will fix it, but not always.
In any case, worth a shot, I suppose, but just be warned.
If it fails to activate, try calling the 1-800 number it gives you in the dialog. It’s an automated system that (for me at least) invariably activates the software. It does take a few minutes to type in the numbers, but it’s not too painful.
Yeah, OEM (included with PC) may not have the activation code.
If it’s retail (has a long code of 5-character-long segments separated by hypens) then unless that code’s been used a lto and MS has cancelled it, you should be able to install it.
Whatever version it is - Home, Pro, etc. - it has certain features.
You need the higher versions, for example, to login to a Windows domain as opposed to a workgroup. Does your PC support 32-bit or 64-bit?
Once you install, then apply Windows update, and it really no longer matters how old the original media is - it will apply all outstanding updates you select.