Is my copy of Windows 7 Ulitimate genuine? Error 0xC004F063

How sure are you that the Windows product key you got when you originally bought the PC is legit?

How sure are you that the disc you later borrowed from your friend is legit?

You could download an ISO from MyDigitalLife.info, burn it to disc, and install from that disc, but you would still need a valid product key to activate it.

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

Do you have a product key attached to a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker on your computer?

If so, you can use this tutorial to help you re-install Windows and activate it with your COA product key.

Clean Install : Factory COA Activation Key

If you don't have a product key and the vendor has gone out of business you are faced with buying a genuine copy of Windows.

In that scenario, you could contact Microsoft's anti-piracy team who have been known to legalise your system in return for giving them details of the person who sold you the software in the first place.

You say you used another product key. May we ask where you got it from? Did you try to activate by telephone?

The copy of Windows I used is a multiple user licence copy used for workstations and we occasionally do work for that firm on my computer.

No, I'm not sure my "original license" is legit. But I'm wondering why after all these months, I was just now notified. I made sure I had Genuine Advantage after I bought the computer and ran it. If my Windows wasn't not legit, why did it take Windows so long to catch it? I could have resovled it immediately by cancelling the credit card payment at the time I bought the computer and notified Microsoft while they were still in business.

I have no problem buying a retail copy of a license but I prefer to buy an OEM since I purchased it with a new computer. But what OEM version to buy? I suppose I'm better off paying for the retail version - then I can install it on a new computer if I need a new hard drive without a hassle.

I am not going to go through a clean install. I'd rather spend the $200. I've done several clean installs but right now, I don't have the time.

I might call the anti-piracy #. I have nothing to hide.

Sigh! I'm just getting tired of Microsoft - seriously considering going to Apple the next time I need a new computer. At least everything is in one place from the same Manufacturer and I don't have to worry about if this motherboard is good with that version of software.

clubnev said:

I have no problem buying a retail copy of a license but I prefer to buy an OEM since I purchased it with a new computer. But what OEM version to buy? I suppose I'm better off paying for the retail version - then I can install it on a new computer if I need a new hard drive without a hassle.

I am not going to go through a clean install. I'd rather spend the $200. I've done several clean installs but right now, I don't have the time.

I'm confused by the above.

You can change hard drives with an OEM version. Changing a motherboard would likely cause a problem.

I'm not sure what you mean by "I'd rather spend the $200"----on what?

In your shoes, I would probably call Microsoft to find out once and for all if you have a valid Product Key.

clubnev said:

Hello,
I purchased a computer from a local shop last summer that has since gone out of business. About a month ago, I started getting the BSOD with multiple errors, most were hardware related. I used a friend's Windows 7 CD but used my license # to reinstall windows, because I was not given a CD. I didn't do a clean install; I clicked "upgrade" so my data would not be wiped out. That solved the BSOD problems.

Now today, I received a message that my version of Windows 7 is not genuine.

I tried to activate it by changing the product key. I rec'd the following message:

Code 0xC004F063
The Software Licensing Service reported that the computer BIOS is missing a required license.

Any advice? Am I screwed? Would updating the BIOS help?

This isn't the most clearly written page (for a layman like myself), but see:

You receive an error message when you try to activate Windows Vista or Windows 7 on a computer that was obtained from an OEM

It appears that the shop used a volume license, in violation of their license agreement. You couldn't activate it in the retail fashion; it required access to their license server, now unavailable.

As you've done nothing wrong, I hope that Microsoft will help you to recover from this without requiring you to purchase a full retail Ultimate license. It may be as simple as inserting a valid Ultimate key.

Is the Product Key you're using for reinstall on a COA sticker similar to the one below - which all pre-installed Windows must have attached to the machine to show it is Genuine?



If so then it is a retail key and should work for Clean Reinstall Windows 7 Factory OEM using a retail installer. The installer you describe using may not be the standard retail installer which is needed. Use the link in the tutorial to download, burn to DVD or write to flash stick the official Win7 installer ISO with SP1, try install again.

If activation fails after pursuiing all options offered, or problems arise again, contact Microsoft Customer Service which will validate the Product Key, then if it is legal open a Tech Support case to help you get it activated correctly. If it is not a valid key they can tell you about the program to help customers who mistakenly purchase bootleg software.