Sign in

Community
Home

Forums

Getting Started

FAQ

Additional Support

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

o
o

Windows
Find answers

Ask a question

Applies To:
Windows
Windows 7
Install, Upgrade and Activate

Had this questionMe

Too4

Question

Gr8man001 asked on
February 12, 2011
Can OEM Product key be used to re-install Windows 7?
Greetings,
I had purchased Sony Laptop with Windows7 Professional pre-installed. It did not come with
Windows discovery/re-installation CD. During a recent malfunctioning of the laptop, I ended
up re-partioned the hard drive and in the process deleted the partition that holds Windows 7
recovery/reinstallation files. I tried to purchase a new CD from Sony but they claim they
don't have it? At the bottom of my laptop, there is windows 7 professional product key code.
Currently, I am running Windows XP professional that I had previously purchased as a retail
package. My question is: If I install a trial version of Windows 7 Professional, do you think the
Windows7 product key that came with the laptop will work? or OEM Windows7 keys do not
work with retail version? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Reply

Reply with quote

Report abuse

Email updates

Found this helpfulMe

Too0

Answer
J W Stuart replied on

February 12, 2011

MVP

Community Star

In reply to Cbarnhorst post on February 12, 2011

If you can borrow a retail version of Windows 7 Pro and perform a keyless install (see below)
and then "Change product key, entering your OEM key it may well work as I recently did this
on a Vista based laptop and it did activate.
--------------------- How to perform a 'Keyless Install' of Windows
------------------------------------------------------After you enter user name and password you will be asked to: 'Type your Windows product
key', do not enter a key.
Also located just below the box where you would enter the key is a box with a check mark to
'Automatically activate Windows when I am online', remove the check mark and click 'Next'.
You will now have a 30 day grace period in which to activate Windows.
-------------------- Change Windows 7 Product Key -------------------------------------------------------------How to Change Windows 7 Product Key
http://www.sizzledcore.com/2009/10/26/how-to-change-windows-7-product-key/
Also: http://www.blogsdna.com/2233/how-to-change-windows-7-product-key.htm
Step by Step:
Click on the Windows 7 Start Button
Go to All Programs/Accessories
Next right on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator from the menu.
Now type following at the command prompt: slmgr.vbs -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXXXXXXX (where XXXXX-XXXXX-... is your OEM key)
Finally activate windows after changing the key, at the command prompt: slmgr.vbs -ato
Also:
How do I check my Windows activation status on this computer:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Activating-Windows-frequently-askedquestions
To check your Windows activation status, do the following:
1. Open System by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control
Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking System.
2. Under Windows activation, you can view your activation status. You can also change your
product key by clicking Change product key.
What is genuine Microsoft software and why is it important?
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/FAQ.aspx
JS
http://www.pagestart.com
Never be afraid to ask. This forum has some of the best people in the world available to
help.
Never be afraid to ask. This forum has some of the best people in the world available to help.

Reply

Reply with quote

Report abuse

All Replies (13)

Found this helpfulMe

Too0

Cbarnhorst replied on
February 12, 2011
No. Trial versions require a trial key. You are correct, OEM and retail keys are not
interchageable. Google on the words "recovery disks" and you should find a third party
provider who will sell you the original disks for your computer. Here is one:
http://recovery-disks.com/
Colin Barnhorst Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on DIY with 6GB ram.

Colin Barnhorst

Reply

Reply with quote

Report abuse

Found this helpfulMe

Too0

Answer

J W Stuart replied on
February 12, 2011
MVP

Community Star

In reply to Cbarnhorst post on February 12, 2011

If you can borrow a retail version of Windows 7 Pro and perform a keyless install (see below)
and then "Change product key, entering your OEM key it may well work as I recently did this
on a Vista based laptop and it did activate.
--------------------- How to perform a 'Keyless Install' of Windows
------------------------------------------------------After you enter user name and password you will be asked to: 'Type your Windows product
key', do not enter a key.
Also located just below the box where you would enter the key is a box with a check mark to
'Automatically activate Windows when I am online', remove the check mark and click 'Next'.
You will now have a 30 day grace period in which to activate Windows.
-------------------- Change Windows 7 Product Key -------------------------------------------------------------How to Change Windows 7 Product Key
http://www.sizzledcore.com/2009/10/26/how-to-change-windows-7-product-key/
Also: http://www.blogsdna.com/2233/how-to-change-windows-7-product-key.htm

Step by Step:
Click on the Windows 7 Start Button
Go to All Programs/Accessories
Next right on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator from the menu.
Now type following at the command prompt: slmgr.vbs -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXXXXXXX (where XXXXX-XXXXX-... is your OEM key)
Finally activate windows after changing the key, at the command prompt: slmgr.vbs -ato
Also:
How do I check my Windows activation status on this computer:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Activating-Windows-frequently-askedquestions
To check your Windows activation status, do the following:
1. Open System by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control
Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking System.
2. Under Windows activation, you can view your activation status. You can also change your
product key by clicking Change product key.
What is genuine Microsoft software and why is it important?
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/FAQ.aspx
JS
http://www.pagestart.com
Never be afraid to ask. This forum has some of the best people in the world available to
help.

Never be afraid to ask. This forum has some of the best people in the world available to help.

Reply

Reply with quote

Report abuse

Found this helpfulMe

Too0

Gr8man001 replied on
February 13, 2011
In reply to J W Stuart post on February 12, 2011
Thanks everybody for all your help.

Reply

Reply with quote

Report abuse

Found this helpfulMe

Too0

Cbarnhorst replied on
February 13, 2011

Try the third party suppliers like Recovery-Disks.com. Search on "recovery disks".
Colin Barnhorst Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on DIY with 6GB ram.
Colin Barnhorst

Reply

Reply with quote

Report abuse

Found this helpfulMe

Too0

Kazzabeee replied on
May 12, 2012

In reply to J W Stuart post on February 12, 2011

I borrowed a friend's CD to install Windows 7 until my own copy came through. There isn't a
Change Product Key link at the bottom of the system screen. What shall I do? I don't want
to have to install from scratch again unless I really have to.
Many thanks in advance.

Reply

Reply with quote

Report abuse

Found this helpfulMe

Too0

Cbarnhorst replied on
May 12, 2012
In reply to Kazzabeee post on May 12, 2012
Click Start, type "slui.exe 4", and follow the instructions. Use the product key printed on the
label affixed to the computer (or in the battery compartment). The edition of Windows
printed on the label must be the same as the edition you installed.

Colin Barnhorst

Reply

Reply with quote

Report abuse

Found this helpfulMe

Too0

SA Jack replied on
July 24, 2012
In reply to Cbarnhorst post on May 12, 2012
Hi:
I bought a new Dell XPS 8100 two (2) years ago. When I first signed on to Windows 7 Home
Premium x64, I apparently did not enter my product key located on the desktop. I must
have assumed that it was already entered when the PC was built. So long story short, I ran
Belarc Advisor Computer Profile to see how my configuration checks out. The program
noted that that I was running the manufacturer's factory installed product key and it gave
me instructions on how to access a Microsoft site for instructions on how to change the
product key. However, when I look at my Windows Activation, it says that Windows is
activated, and I don't have an option to change the product key. I saw this method via the
command prompt in this thread.
Step by Step:
Click on the Windows 7 Start Button
Go to All Programs/Accessories
Next right on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator from the menu.
Now type following at the command prompt: slmgr.vbs -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXXXXXXX (where XXXXX-XXXXX-... is your OEM key)
Finally activate windows after changing the key, at the command prompt: slmgr.vbs -ato
Will this work for my situation? If not, please advise as to how to correct this problem.
Thanks for your assistance. -Jack

Reply

Reply with quote

Report abuse

Found this helpfulMe

Too0

george1009 replied on

July 24, 2012

Community Star
In reply to SA Jack post on July 24, 2012
Yes that method would work. you can also change it by: click start, type slui 3, press enter.
If your windows is activated and you are not getting not-genuine notices, I see no
reason to change your product key.
Additional information:
Computers, which are built by large manufactures that come with Windows Pre-Installed,
come with two (2) Product Keys:
A) OEM SLP: This key comes pre-installed in Windows, when it comes from the Factory. This
key is geared to work with the special instructions found only on that Manufacturer's
computer hardware. So when Windows was installed using the OEM SLP key (at the factory)
Windows 7 looks at the motherboard and sees the special instructions and Self-Activates.
(that's why you did not need to Activate your computer after you brought it home)
B) COA SLP: This is the Product key that you see on the sticker on the side (or bottom,[ or
inside the battery compartment]) of your computer. It is a valid product key, but should only
be used in limited situations (such as if the OEM SLP key stops self-activating for whatever
reason). The key must be activated by Phone. (Note: All manufacturers that use the OEM SLP
system are required by contract to include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker, that
has a COA SLP key, on the computer)

Reply

Reply with quote

Report abuse

Found this helpfulMe

Too0

Try*3 replied on
July 24, 2012
In reply to SA Jack post on July 24, 2012
Jack,
George is correct - Dell saved their Product Key in the BIOS, this Product Key will
automatically activate if you ever need to reinstall Win7 & there is no need to change the
Product Key [I don't know that changing it would be risky but, personally, I would assume
that it was & would therefore not try such a step unless my back was against the wall].
I have reinstalled Win7 on my Dell and the automatic activatation just happened without my
having to do anything or even being aware that anything was happening.
----------

In additon, you can make a Windows Installation DVD or USB [You will need a 4GB USB stick
for this].
To make an installation DVD/USB, download the correct* ISO from Official Windows 7 SP1
ISO from Digital River then transfer it to a DVD or USB using the Windows 7 USB-DVD
download tool
* You can only run any future successful installation with the version of Windows [Home
premium & so on] that is identified on your Certificate of Authenticity - this is the label thats
probably inside your battery compartment & that shows your Product Key. If you do ever
need to reinstall from scratch youll find that you wont need to actually enter your Product
Key or even to Activate Windows as Dell have saved the necessary codes in your BIOS.
You need to install the USB-DVD Tool then run it with the ISO file stored anywhere on your
system [except the target DVD/USB drive, I discovered, although others say that it can be on
the target drive].
The installation DVD/USB can also be used as a Windows repair disk for repairs & for
restoring system images. Hence a good test of it is to boot with it just as you would with a
repair disk - boot up & run it until you get to the repair options menu & then just exit. This
can give you some confidence that it works & hence that it will help you out in an
emergency.
User of Dell Inspiron 1545, Windows 7 Home Premium x64, Office Pro 2007, HP DJ1220c, Canon LiDE 600F

Reply

Reply with quote

Report abuse

Found this helpfulMe

Too0

SA Jack replied on
July 24, 2012

In reply to Try*3 post on July 24, 2012

Try*3:
Thank you for prompt reply. Your comments regarding a reinstall raise a question I'd like to
ask.
I purchased a Family Pack 3x Upgrade Windows 7 Home Premium. I got it to update my
wife's Toshiba laptop running Vista, and my 2 daughters computers, running XP and Vista
respectively. All 3 upgrades were x32 installs. I'm running Home Premium x64 on my Dell.
The Family Pack came with a DVD for x32 and one for x64. If I ever gen my "back against
the wall", can I use the x64 DVD and do the install. I'm not quite clear if Dell will update the
product key automatically or I would need to enter it manually. If manually, can I use the
product key found on my desktop?
Thanks again for your help. Take care. -Jack

Reply

Reply with quote

Report abuse

Previous Page of 2 Next

Related Threads

How can I re install windows 7 home premium

If I re-install Windows 7, will I be able to use the product key that...
I lost my Windows 7 product key but I want to re-install it. How can I...
Will I be able to re-install the OEM Windows 7 that came with my...
How can I re-install Windows 7 as a full product key instead of an...

More Microsoft Resources

Genuine Windows: frequently asked questions

Windows 7 activation error: 0xC004F061
Windows 7 activation error: invalid product key
Get Help Now For Windows 7
Windows 7 Home

English

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

2013 Microsoft
Microsoft Community Code of Conduct

Microsoft Community Feedback

Trademarks

Privacy & Cookies

Terms of Use