Consider the other two options highly theoretical. See below: Credit: Microsoft Sometimes, if too much pressure is applied or liquid comes in contact with the sticker, this can damage the product key characters. So I did and now I have tried to enter my product key again and it tells me that the product key is not valid. Well, didn't see anything about removing the sticker. Click Dell Factory Image Recovery and DataSafe options and follow the onscreen instructions.
You are asking them to try and return something they broke or defaced which means no returns, besides Microsoft will not take it back from the retailer either. } Get-WindowsKey localhost I think the YouTube video overdoes it a bit, you could simply cut and paste the contents of that into a PowerShell window without having to muck about with executionpolicy and importing the file. If you don't have a magnifying glass, you can use digital camera or your smart phone to take a picture then blow it up on your computer. The grey gunk is really just a smear compared to something like a lottery ticket; to do it right, I tried a penny, nickel, dime and a quarter to remove the gunk. Activation by the end user is not required. Do you still have the recovery disks for the laptop? This is the cheapest way to buy windows. Retail version is what you buy from a retailer like Amazon or Bestbuy.
Click Next and login to your administrator account on the computer. You'll need to purchase a new license. Is that on a Dell? Can i activate windows with the product key sticker at the back of laptop im using the same Windows 7 Home Premium version. Leo has suggested this a number of times in other articles. The auto-activate key will fail in this scenario. I'm getting windows not genuine error. When i check the product key on my computer with a key finding program, it displays a different product key compared to the sticker on the bottom of my computer.
It's easy to replace the software. So i installed cracked version. . There is only an official Windows 8. I've run into this occasionally. From the Advanced Boot Options chose the Repair Your Computer option. Based on the number of missing characters this could be a tedious work so I suggest you the following: download which can read a text file containing one product key per line and check if it's valid.
Where is this key - a sticker on the machine, a post it note, something else? You can get a new product key of windows 7 for new system or laptop, - See more at:. If you do, you could try a recovery from that, and we can take it from there. I have recently got a used Dell Latitude 13 laptop. Your administrator account is the account created the first time the computer was turned on. My problem is that the sticker is damaged and I cannot read it. It also means that its impossible to use the recovery partition provided.
You can often find product keys used on your machine with a special application. You are presently running an illegally cracked copy of Windows 7. Use F8 key during boot to get into the Advanced Boot Options menu. I have a product key and I can see most of it, but some of it is sort of blurry. Hi, My harddisk got crashed.
It would be a useful script to help with reinstalls when operating systems have been upgraded. If you have a question, start by using the search box up at the top of the page - there's a very good chance that your question has already been answered on Ask Leo!. If an upgrade then the license key for Vista would have been deactivated when it was combined with the upgrade license of Win 7 to create the license key you are now using for win 7 and thus would not be useable -- If a ffull version then that Vista key should still be useable. Your options are limited, you might have to cut your losses, or try salvaging the key yourself. If you bought it from Amazon you might get lucky as they seem to take anything back for any reason.
They are from the vista version. If you are still able to backup, backup any important photos, documents or other data before attempting this process. Contacting Microsoft might be an option, although the software firm has no responsibility for damaged product keys; since production is handled by a third party source. To create the System Recovery media, turn on the computer and let it boot up. Can i activate windows with the product key sticker at the back of laptop im using the same Windows 7 Home Premium version. I have a product key and I can see most of it, but some of it is sort of blurry.
I personally used this site to activate windows 10 pro on my hp pro book. If you wish to reinstall Windows 7 you will have to purchase full media, with it's own key. If you have Windows 8 or 10 installed and activated is your friend. Their utilities are always crapware-free, and are always really useful. The number of possible combinations will increase with the number of missing characters.
System Recovery Media — Use this method to perform a System Recovery in the event you cannot boot into Windows or if you have replaced your hard drive. They kindly generated a new key free of charge after approval from their supervisor. Next, select Dell DataSafe Restore and Emergency Backup from the System recovery Options and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the recovery process. It should peel off so you can stick it onto the computer that copy of Windows is installed on. White box built by me for sale to a customer. Man up and go buy a new copy and be extra careful next time.