How to reformat without product key


  1. isaac12345
    Posts : 12
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
       New #1

    How to reformat without product key


    Hi all,

    I am running Windows 7 Professional 32bit, the ISO of which I got a few years ago from my university's MSDNAA program and still have it. I recently changed my motherboard and sound card and my windows is now asking for activation again. The problem is that this time I would like reformat the whole system as its become quite sluggish and buggy. I dont have the product key with me and dont have access to my university's email anymore(where I suspect the key was emailed to me). I called microsoft and they said they cant help me and I need to contact my university. I contacted my university and they cant help me with the key because I am not a current student.

    So I would like to ask you, what would be the best way of going about this? I have the original ISO that I got from MSDNAA. Will that contain the information to activate windows online without the need to enter the product key?

    Thanks! :)
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  3. z3r010
    Posts : 51,473
    Windows 11 Workstation x64
       New #2

    Try this - Showkey - Windows 10 Forums
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  4. isaac12345
    Posts : 12
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Wow! That worked! Thanks! Its displaying me my current key.
    Now how I find out how many uses it has left?
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  6. AddRAM
    Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       New #4

    A key can be used 100`s 1000`s of times, don`t worry about it. And I hope you wrote it down and put it with your install disc.

    Whether that type of key is considered oem or retail an expert can answer. It may not be usable again and again, and you may have to make a simple phone call to get activated, everything will show up on the screen and tell you what to do.

    But you should consider buying your own windows install disc and key and not relying on them anymore.

    Buy Microsoft Windows Ultimate, Professional, Home & More - Newegg.com
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