Sysprep - licensing

mikeperkins99 · 22 Aug 2015

Hi

I am having a major issue with a sysprep rollout.

I manage to do the sysprep using the generalize and oobe ... it works perfectly on the client machine but when checking the MAK status on licensing within the microsoft VL portal each machine is showing as a new activation !!!

I was under the impression that if we purchased new machines with OEM licenses then as long as we had at least 1 volume licesne this would allow us to sysprep and roll out the image on the desktops - this was confirmed by microsoft sometime ago .. so we purchased the required VL key which is used in the build.

So I cant understand why after each new one the machine is going out to internet and trying to relicense (using the original VL key)

The problem is that in a few days when I roll out next batch the VL centre will say no more activations.

Please can anyone help ???

ICIT2LOL · 24 Aug 2015

Hello and welcome Mike mate I am definitely no expert on this but from my understanding because I have come across problems activating my new machines after a had drive death and the VL I find is only that and one has to have a dedicated code for each and every machine. I have tried Belarc for example and it gives the sellers VL but not the code for this machine.

I asked Microsoft and they gave me a site to go to ( see the rpely I got below)and it came up with a code very different to what the seller had used to install a 7 downgrade for example because of that really dishonest and hypocritical argument that dealers were complaining about having to put stickers on machines and so the embedding of that code in the BIOS - which one cannot access of course.

Personally this is a despicable, hypocritical and money hungry exercise on part of Microsoft.
Title: Downgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 7

Reply:

Try the imbedded key finder utility first, that should return your Windows 8 key. Then run one of the other key finders which should return your Windows 7 key.

Windows 10 Embedded Product Key Tool
The NeoSmart Technologies Embedded Product Key Tool. Designed for users of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10,

This embedded product key tool will retrieve and display the Windows setup product key embedded in the BIOS or EFI, allowing you to store it for safe-keeping or use it to reinstall Windows with an official Windows setup image.
This embedded product key is not wiped when you format or reinstall, or when you replace your hard disk; it’s stored in the NVRAM of the BIOS/EFI on the motherboard itself.
https://neosmart.net/blog/2014/windows-10-embedded-product-key-tool/#more-3188

For Windows 7
Nirsoft: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html
Magic Jelly Bean: http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
(Jellybean has the ability to retrieve product keys from unbootable Windows installations)
Faqs: https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder-faq/

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com