I have recently wiped my laptop to put a fresh windows 7 on but don’t have the product key and the label on the bottom doesnt seem to be activating it?
any help would be great thanks =]
@Microsoft
17 Spice ups
That label, is it a Windows 7 label? Also, you usually want to use the MFG’s software image when reloading, it will use their key.
3 Spice ups
bryandoe
October 10, 2013, 5:00pm
3
If it’s a Dell, HP, or whatever, one of their discs should be activating it. If the COA on the bottom isn’t working, call Microsoft. Otherwise, buy another copy.
1 Spice up
What type of installation disk did you use? OEM or Retail?
You’re not asking anyone around here you provide you with a product key, right? You’re just asking if we know the phone number at Microsoft that you should call to help with reactivation, right?
Right?
9 Spice ups
Yeah its a windows 7 prem does that mean i have to use a windows 7 prem disk to use that key?
And i installed of an old win7 pro installation disk
Thanks for quick response
ryanbrown
October 10, 2013, 5:03pm
7
You likely used the retail DVD for installation. Check to see if your laptop has a recovery partition. If you give us the make/model of the PC, we can guide you through accessing the recovery partition.
License keys on stickers are generally OEM licenses, so if you used the retail installation of Windows, you may be out of luck.
If all else fails, you should be able to order new recovery DVDs from your manufacturer.
ryanbrown
October 10, 2013, 5:03pm
8
Yes, you’ll need a Windows 7 Premium disk (or the recovery media that came with your PC) if the license sticker is Windows 7 Home Premium.
retail version
And gabrielle im not asking that im asking how to get mine paid for version to work
sounds like your issue is you used a pro disk on a home premium COA…
you need to use your Home Prem. DVD
Thank i will reload using that disk =]
not all the time… mine is exposed (and of course rubbed off the key). and my laptop is only 1.5ys old…
ajstringham
October 10, 2013, 5:14pm
13
You can activate using an HP key on an OEM disc. Just activate using “slui 4” at a run prompt. You call it in and you’re good. But you can’t use a 7 Home key for 7 Pro…smh…
josh3895
October 10, 2013, 5:14pm
14
yes use the disk that goes with your version of windows on that laptop. I did this once but I used the same version of windows that was on my laptop. just make sure you are typing the correct key as well. I had trouble with my friends laptop since the letters were fading away luckily I could see enough that it accepted my key.
Dingy7:
Yeah its a windows 7 prem does that mean i have to use a windows 7 prem disk to use that key?
And i installed of an old win7 pro installation disk
Thanks for quick response
Yes. You can’t use a Windows Pro cd with that key.
1 Spice up
The only reason she (and I’m surprised it was mentioned sooner) is that sometimes posters will flat out ask for a key or other ways to subvert the activation process. Those posts are immediately nuked and 9/10 of those posters have their accounts locked out of the community.
2 Spice ups
As a standard practice any laptops I get that have a key sticker on the bottom without a clear Label over it, I put a clear shipping label over it. They stick well since they are meant to be permanent on paper and are just the right size to cover the Windows sticker. That way the key wont be rubbed off.
4 Spice ups
Josh of RTS:
As a standard practice any laptops I get that have a key sticker on the bottom without a clear Label over it, I put a clear shipping label over it. They stick well since they are meant to be permanent on paper and are just the right size to cover the Windows sticker. That way the key wont be rubbed off.
I know… I should have done that… I took a picture of it, but can’t find it…lol…
I wish they left the label type how they originally made it for XP, and I think also made all the way back to Win98… It was already a glossy/tape finish so it cant rub off… then they went to cheap paper crap.
ajstringham
October 10, 2013, 5:36pm
19
Josh of RTS:
As a standard practice any laptops I get that have a key sticker on the bottom without a clear Label over it, I put a clear shipping label over it. They stick well since they are meant to be permanent on paper and are just the right size to cover the Windows sticker. That way the key wont be rubbed off.
A lot of Dells and HPs especially put the label under the battery but not all manufacturers. Just FYI @Galen . But yes, document it or cover it with tape, etc to protect it if it isn’t…
2 Spice ups
I know its a bit late, But … When reloading the OS, I make it a habit to “acquire” the Product Key before wiping the drive. Specifically helpful if the user has peeled off the label - or sat it down in a coffee spill * sheesh!
Belarc
3 Spice ups
