Windows Genuine Issue

I did not mean to say MS requires the OEM to support both bit versions, only that an OEM cannot override the provision in the EULA which allows use of either bit version with each license. MS will always back the end-user on this at reactivation, which is why it's best to use the Product Key on COA sticker and not reimport the factory SLP mass-activation. Transferring activation to MS servers gives you access to the same activation process by which retail end-users are served, including phone activation.

Sleep well.

On COA-SLP key:

"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)"

The above statement is often repeated in the official Microsoft Forums. Microsoft in all goodness provides a backup COA-SLP key to enable genuine users who bought their OS through the OEM channel to retain ownership in contingent situations as mentioned - such as if the OEM SLP key stops self-activating for whatever reason.It will therefore be prudent on the part of the users to keep it reserved only for such situations.

What can happen when one uses it indiscriminately in other situations where OEM-SLP still selfactivates ?

Microsoft having issued thousands and thousands of COA-SLP keys to the OEMs and keeping its specific intent in mind, may expect only a certain percentage ( say 5%) to come in for COA-SLP activation.

When the number of COA-SLP activations increase beyond that limit, a red flag will be raised and Microsoft will have reasons to believe that it is being used to pirate for use with unlicensed software. Scrutiny can get tighter and/or it can also stop COA-SLP activations altogether. Yes, an alternate will be given but that may put all genuine users into unnecessary botheration, revalidating the OS again. ( Remember, citing piracy concerns Microsoft stopped online activations of COA-OEM keys back in the XP years and then introduced SLP)

There is another reason – apart from the fact that having purchased the OS from the OEM, the genuine enduser is entitled to use the painless offline activation on his genuine machine.

SLP ( now in version 2.1) effectively "locks" the operating system to the qualified motherboard. In spite of Microsoft’s continuing efforts to thwart piracy, pirates always go one step further and thwart its efforts. While it will be easy for Microsoft to withdraw COA-SLP activations, it will not be so easy or practical to nullify the OEM-SLP keys since millions of machines and users will be affected instantly. So effectively the genuine user is more secure with OEM-SLP activations than with COA-SLP activations.

As far as putting yourself under the control of the Microsoft Activation servers and the Phone activation I had already mentioned the perils involved in many posts and do not want to repeat them in detail.

Just have a look at this thread. https://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/224005-activation-key-does-not-work-anymore.html

A retail key – no other machine using it and the user trying to use it only on one machine – goes to phone activation – The man at the other end says the user had used it on three machines or he had already activated it thrice or something to that effect and refuses activation – Our Noel DP advises "all seems to be Ok. Try again" – Now another man at the other end – says nothing and activates it.

You may draw your own conclusions. (I would rather stay with OEM-SLP activation rather than subjecting myself even by chance to such tensions. Quite clearly an avoidable situation.)

I may be misreading, but I don't agree with one of your points on the COA SLP. I use that key anytime I do a clean install on any OEM system, and have never once had to phone in the activation.

Are you referring to the Product Key on COA sticker, Deacon? I also rarely have had to activate it by phone and then it is only a robocall to trade the series of numbers which update the Hardware signature in MS Servers.

There are some cases where backing up the factory SLP activation is necessary such as when the Product Key is worn off of the COA sticker. There have been two of these lately. However we need to be mindful that the Admins do not want this method supported here.

Yes, the one on the COA sticker. I've never had an issue activating those keys online.

DeaconFrost said:

I may be misreading, but I don't agree with one of your points on the COA SLP. I use that key anytime I do a clean install on any OEM system, and have never once had to phone in the activation.

I am already aware of the situation.

Even gregrocker reported it in his post #25 here . "I used a Dell OEM key from the COA sticker today to Reinstall Windows 7 which had previously been Factory SLP activated and it required no phone activation."

And then in this very thread (again post #25 :) ) he states "I also rarely have had to activate it by phone and then it is only a robocall to trade the series of numbers which update the Hardware signature in MS Servers." That would mean occasionally he had to make robocalls and the number crunching.

In this Forum itself as also in the Microsoft Forums we encounter " don't choose any option and wait for an opertaor to respond" on how to activate the COA-SLP on phone i.e., phone activation is recommended.

An user may encounter any of the three situations. 1.Activation may go through online. 2. a robo call may be required 3. a manual phone activation may be required.(as I understand by the above three experiences.)

There is no authentic information from Microsoft on how the COA-SLP activation will go. So I would maintain that an user enters into a dark alley as compared to the definite, anytime and 100% sureshot OEM-SLP offline activation.( I am only talking about genuine users with a genuine OEM machine that will autoactivate.)

I also do not discount the possibility that Microsoft may have some specific norms for different regions depending upon the prevalent piracy in different regions. When an actvation call comes it does know from which region it originates and may route the process accordingly.

I have already mentioned that I have plans to carry out the COA-SLP activations trial on a planned schedule that will include a daily activation attempt after a clean install. The only constraint is time but I am determined to do it.:)