However, if you do a clean format of your hard disk you are no longer upgrading your version of Windows so the key will not work in this case. I can't get to Windows proper where I can use the procedure you outlined for me. Here's a rough version of a table that shows what you get starting from what you had If you try to get a higher version then you need a new license. Once it has completed a success message will appear. Other than that: Find hash from Microsoft.
Feel free to nudge a fellow 630 owner if you have questions about getting Windows 10 on it. Still, it may be best to find the product key using one of the below methods and write it down before reinstalling Windows—just in case. Click ok when message popped up. If you have changed your Windows Key and want to re-validate: 1. Step 1: Unplug network cable and any internal WiFi cards.
Good forum post on this. If you reformatted your drive and booted from the Windows 7 Upgrade disc to install Windows 7, then you cannot use the Windows 7 Upgrade license, you would need a Full Version license since the Windows 7 upgrade license compliance check for a qualifying Windows license i. If you want to download some updates from there, turn it on later when you and not any automatic installers are fully in charge. So if your hard drive dies and you don't happen to have the backup disks made you'll have a nice brick. After the second install, delete the Windows. Look for System32 Folders…Search for slmgr.
Type slmgr -rearm and enter…Click okay when message is popped up…. As I've read, and then enter the Windows 7 product key when prompted to enter a key during the install process. It's important to note that Microsoft is making available the new Activation Troubleshooter with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. Its now asking for the Windows 7 activiation key. I've run the usual checks on the drive but cannot find anything to fix, so have made the decision to buy a bigger 1Tb drive and replace before it does fail.
Once your system is stable, open regedit. You can then grab the keys from that computer easily. Since it says my key is not valid I have no idea how it can check since it's not even connected to the internet! Donations from Plus members keep this site going. It isn't printed on the laptop anywhere. Seth, Thanks a lot for posting the steps for activating an upgrade key on a clean install Seth, method 2 worked like a charm for me! Additional troubleshooting steps In case your device doesn't appear on the list there may be some things that are happening, and we'll go through those now.
What I know is that I will never touch a retail version of Windows again, it is just an overpriced piece of garbage, but I am not willing to pay for a new key either. Also, prior to purchasing Win7 I read some user posts that said that buying the 64-bit version Pro or otherwise would allow for both an upgrade and full install. Thanks Unfortunately you cannot recover a Windows 7 product key from the system. I have it on my thumb drive and always run it before I wipe a machine that way reinstalling is a breeze. First, the backup drive I bought is a Seagate Backup Plus. Windows Vista cannot be performed. Via Windows Update, it shouldn't ask for a key.
You will need to buy a copy of Win 7 Pro or Win 8 Pro or the Win 8 Pro Upgrade. If Windows 7 has saved somewhere that this key was already in use, shouldn't it recognize that it's being installed to the same computer it was paired with during the first installation? There are waaaay too many issues to try to 'fix'. If i open any of those they are like new program installs. First, make sure you don't have any pending updates that require a restart. The disk will refuse to allow anything other than a clean install. If it was w7 home you get w10 home and so on.
I have the Windows 7 product key but it does not work. I talked to Lenovo about this and they said the only way to retrieve them was to call Microsoft and that they should be able to provide the product key for them. You will be notified that you have 30 days to activate, and near that is a blue link to enter a new key. I've heard a few different confusing and conflicting things. Also, the Troubleshoot option won't be available unless the operating system is not activated.