Windows 7: Can You Install Retail Windows 7 and use OEM serial #

As I couldn't just let it go I called Toshiba to see if I could get an explanation as to why one of their laptops came with a blocked serial number, at least according to Microsoft. The support person was of course wondering why I didn't just use the re-installation disks instead of installing it the way I did. I was honest with him and told him I wanted to avoid all the unnecessary bloat ware that also gets installed along with windows.

This seemed to rub him the wrong way as he became very short with me and his tone seemed annoyed. He tells me all that software (bloat) I'm going to uninstall is necessary for my laptop to run correctly and I would be better off leaving it all on there. He says that reason it wouldn't activate was that the serial number will only work with my individual laptop's digital signature. Not really sure but this might be true.



When I told him that Microsoft says the number is blocked and bogus he says they don't know what their talking about. When I ask why if I start entering in this serial number in Google search I get tons of hits showing this number even before I'm finished typing it in. He says just because you find it on the internet it doesn't make it true. This of course is a very true statement.

So there you have it. Either Microsoft doesn't know what their talking about or Toshiba doesn't.

The serial number on your hard drive is indeed tied to the oem activation sequence for that machine. ( More probably, that type of machine )

It doesn't go online to activate - that is the way oem's do so many machines - they can't enter each product key one by one onto millions of machines.

It is possible that same number, activation cert and bios slic has been used for cracking - it happens.

If you want to clean reinstall without the bloat - you should use the completely different product key that is somewhere stickered on your machine - often under the battery.

You will probably find it easier to uninstall as much of the crapware as you can with something like the free The PC Decrapifier Wipes Unwanted Junk | The PC Decrapifier

Ditto....the sticker key is the only key to use. It is not the OEM key.

Well the real question is IS IT Crapware or is it necessary drivers and feature programs that you are uninstalling. Programs that give you function key options and fn+key options.

To my knowledge if the Recovery disc made or supplied is only One disc it more then likely does not contain anything other then the OS and the specific drivers for the hardware in your system.

It is when you have a 2 or 3 disc recovery set that reinstalls all the trial and limited time junkware that seems to come on all Branded system.

If you made that disc from a utility included on the drive then it is more then likely just the OS.

I think this is more likely to be a factory restore which will include the bloatware you saw when you first turned on the PC.

And why would you think that?

I know the Dell does not do that. In fact you have to use their utility a couple of times to make backups of the programs that came installed on your system. When doing the Recovery disc it is Only the OS.

My experience I guess.
I believe Dell are one of the few that will ship clean install disks if you select that option. Maybe things have changed recently???

I did end up using the PC decrapifier to clear most of the bloat off the laptop. So far I haven't seen anything that's not functioning since taking it off.

Still think it's funny Microsoft is so positive the serial number is blocked

There are other steps you can take to regain performance from a bloated Factory Preinstall in Clean Up Factory Bloatware.

Most tech enthusiasts would never run the corrupt factory preinstall but choose to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 for best performance.