Activate Windows 7 by Phone

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    Activate Windows 7 by Phone

    Activate Windows 7 by Phone

    How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone
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    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone

       Information
    Activation is the required process of ensuring that Windows 7 on your computer is genuine and used according to the Microsoft Software License Terms.

    If you are unable to activate Windows 7 online or do not have the internet, then this will show you how to activate Windows 7 by phone instead with your entered product key number.
       Note
    Genuine Windows is a recurring process that checks your product key to ensure it's being used with the hardware it was paired with during activation. If the product key is found to be non-genuine, or not valid, it's likely that the product key is either being used on another computer or is counterfeit. Try doing the Diagnostics and Validate Windows options. For more information about genuine Windows, go to the genuine Windows website for FAQ's.

    • A Windows 7 product key number can only be used to activate the same edition of Windows 7 that it was for, and cannot be used to activate a different edition of Windows 7.
    • A Family Pack Windows 7 product key number can be used to activate the Family Pack Windows 7 copy on up to 3 computers at any one time.
    • A OEM Windows 7 product key number can only be used to activate a OEM Windows 7 copy on the same computer that it was first activated on, and no other computer.
    • A retail Windows 7 product key number can be used to activate a retail Windows 7 copy on any computer, but only on up to one computer at any one time.
    You might have to activate Windows 7 again if:
    • You uninstall Windows 7 on one computer and then install it on another. During installation, enter the product key that came with Windows. If automatic activation fails, follow the instructions that walk you through activating Windows by phone. You will have 30 days to activate Windows.
    • You make a significant hardware change to your computer, such as upgrading the hard disk and memory at the same time. If a major hardware change requires activating Windows again, you will be notified and will have three days to activate Windows.
    • You reformat your hard disk. Reformatting erases your activation status. In this case, you’ll have 30 days to activate Windows again.
    • A virus or malware infects your computer and deletes your activation status.


       Warning

    • You must activate Windows 7 within the 30 days grace period after installation before it expires. When Windows 7 is activated, you'll be able to use every feature of Windows 7.
    • If you chose to Automatically activate Windows when I'm online when you set up your computer, automatic activation begins trying to activate your copy of Windows 7 three days after you log on for the first time. See METHOD ONE below.
    • If you install Windows 7 on a second computer, you must buy an additional product key number to activate the second installation to continue using Windows 7 on both computers.
    What happens if you don't activate Windows 7?


    Despite what you may have read elsewhere, there's no "reduced functionality mode" in Windows 7 like there was in Vista. If the 30-day trial or activation key expires:
    • Your desktop background goes black. You can change it, but every 60 minutes, it will return to black until you activate Windows.
    • You will have a "This copy of windows is not genuine" watermark on the bottom right corner of your desktop.
    • You will get a notification balloon stating that you may be a victim of software piracy.
    • You will be prompted to activate Windows every time you log in.
    • You will receive periodic reminders to activate Windows.
    • Windows Updates will be limited, but you will still be able to get critical security updates. However, access to optional updates or benefits available exclusively to genuine Windows customers, such as Microsoft Security Essentials, might be restricted.
    See also: Genuine Windows: frequently asked questions - Microsoft Windows





    Here's How:
    NOTE: This is only for the retail version of Windows 7.
    1. If Online Activation Failed First
    NOTE: This is if you have tried to activate Windows 7 online and it failed. Otherwise, go to step 2.
    A) Select the Use the automated phone system to activate option.

    B) Go to step 3.
    2. To Activate by Phone
    A) Open the Start Menu, and type slui.exe 4 and press Enter.
    3. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

    4. Click on the drop down menu and select the nearest location to you for a toll free number to call, then click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)
    Activate Windows 7 by Phone-step1.jpg
    5. A local phone number should apear under the Step 1 section with a set of installation ID numbers generated by Windows and displayed on your screen under the 1 to 9 in the Step 2 section. (See screenshot below)

       Tip
    If needed, Microsoft Activation Centers Worldwide Telephone Numbers lists toll and toll-free telephone numbers for worldwide Microsoft activation centers that you can call to get your Windows 7 activated as well.

    Activate Windows 7 by Phone-step2.jpg
    6. Call the "Microsoft activation phone number" (Under Step 1 in screenshot above).

    7. At first, the activation line will be automated, so you will be asked to enter or speak the installation ID numbers displayed on your screen into the phone. (See screenshot below step 5)

       Tip
    If you want to speak to an activation operator and bypass the automated service, then do nothing instead until you are transferred automatically to an available operator.



    8. If Automated Service is Successful
    NOTE: Usually this is not always successful.
    A) The automated service will issue you a confirmation ID number.
    NOTE: Have a pen and paper handy to write these numbers down.

    B) Go to step 10.
    9. If Automated Service is Unsuccessful
    A) If the automated activation service informs you that it was unsuccessful and cannot help you with activation, then STAY ON THE LINE and your call will be transferred to an activation operator who will assist you in activating your copy of Windows 7. If you get hanged up on while waiting, then phone back, but this time DO NOT respond when the ansafone requests which service you require (twice). This puts you in the queue to speak to an operator, and doesn't seem to time out so quickly. The operator will give you a confirmation ID number if they agree your copy of Windows 7 is legitimate.
    NOTE: Just explain to the operator your situation and what you did to require activation. (EX: hardware upgrade, installed Windows 7 on a new computer after uninstalling it from the old one, etc...)
    10. Type in the confirmation ID number given to you into the Step 3 section to be able to activate Windows 7, and click on Next. (See screenshot below step 5)
    NOTE: You will get these numbers from the phone automated system or operator after they have confirmed the numbers you gave them in step 8 above.

    11. If Activation is Successful
    A) When you get the Activation was successful window, click on Close to finish. (See screenshot below)
    Activate Windows 7 by Phone-step3.jpg
    12. If Activation Failed
    A) If you got an activation error code, then look it up at the link below to see what it means.

    That's it,
    Shawn





  1. Posts : 50
    Windows 7 Pro
       #1

    what's the phone number?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello Wguru,

    When you follow the tutorial and get to step 5, you will see the phone number listed at top just like in the screenshot above. If one is not available, then click on the link in the yellow TIP box under step 5 to find the closet one for your location. I hope this is what you meant.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 50
    Windows 7 Pro
       #3

    Thank you for your sincere and helpful replies. Please note that I was able to "activate" 'my' product seemingly over the phone and as doing so did not result in any notice of successful activation (from MS), I later used a link provided (I believe by the Action Now' utility that the W7 Pro software provides) and upon clicking the 'validate online, I immediately saw a successful confirmation window. However the crux of my post is actually the unacceptable behaviour of MS's undisclosed "validation" process's activex.

    By that I mean the 'validation' process basically tells users to blindly trust MS and allow installation of the "Windows Activation Technologies" software, when in fact that alone seems a little misleading as that software might well or should be titled as "Windows VALIDATION Technologies" software.

    My beef is that while trying to resolve my as yet unresolved complaint (ref. unacceptable undisclosed terms and conditions of the W7 Pro's "validation" process, ie; denoting nowhere (prior to our being expected to blindly allow the browser to install MS's activex that reportedly 'scans my system and makes repairs and/or changes WITHOUT disclosing beforehand that 'if' any changes are thereafter made by their validation software, that I will be notified of any changes).

    I thought my post mentioned that after seven straight hrs on the phone with MS support depts, that MS refuses to admit and escalate my case, going so far as to state that my issue is not valid and that I instead (as opposed to MS Support proceeding with my support request) refers me to contacting their corporate offices.

    Does everyone but me blindly install activex's and run undisclosed software without questioning it? And does MS refuse to follow and/or disallow a support case to be escalated (ie; forcing written resolutions in writing) for what is clearly MS's refusal and/or neglect to follow common disclosure about software installations?

    In both instances, apparently so, otherwise MS would disclose terms and conditions of their required "Windows Activation Technologies" software BEFORE expecting users to blindly allow it's installs.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #4

    How do I do the activate by phone when Ms does not accept vp calls? I have yet to figure that one out.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hello Jasin, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    I suppose that you could get a friend to call and do the activation for you instead. Sorry.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #6

    Brink said:
    Hello Jasin, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    I suppose that you could get a friend to call and do the activation for you instead. Sorry.
    Can I use the product key from my laptop? I did the anytime upgrade from acer so its a different product key, but its the same version (home premium) of windows 7 that I have on my desktop.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Jasin,

    If it's a OEM Windows 7 version, then no you cannot since that product key number is permanently tied to the laptop. Only a retail version can be used on another computer when uninstalled from any previous computer.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 71
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #8

    Brink said:
    Jasin,

    If it's a OEM Windows 7 version, then no you cannot since that product key number is permanently tied to the laptop. Only a retail version can be used on another computer when uninstalled from any previous computer.
    Its not oem its home premium full upgrade. The same as if you went out and bought one. The oem the laptop originally came with was vista not windows 7.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Jasin,

    Since it's a anytime upgrade copy, then it will still normally require the older copy to upgrade from. You might not be able to use it on another computer, but you could try and see.
      My Computer


 
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