Lost my Windows 7 Product Key, but have Certificate of Authenticity

I reinstalled Windows 7 earlier today with the backup disc I received from Digital River, part of a student discount deal in 2009. However, the product key (I know, stupid of me not to write it down) and the confirmation e-mail are now long gone. I've tried calling Microsoft directly but they keep redirecting me to different departments in hopes of getting me to buy a whole new copy of Windows 7 rather than simply asking me to verify the product with the certificate of authenticity and handing me my product key.

I was wondering if anyone could assist me. I'm just looking to get Windows 7 activated as soon as possible.

Thanks guys.


EDIT 1: I e-mailed Digital River, though their online student store has been discontinued since 2010 I am hoping their customer service is still intact. So I e-mailed them hoping to find a way for them to re-send my confirmation e-mail from three years ago (unlikely, but worth a shot).

EDIT 2: I managed to get in touch with a helpful Microsoft representative who said I should call Customer Support during business hours. He didn't give me the number when I asked though, so I guess I'll go fishing for it on google...

It should be on the certificate of authenticity. Mine is anyway.

It should be on the certificate of authenticity. Mine is anyway.

Do you happen to have an image of your certificate of authenticity? I recall the product keys are a string of 5 sets, each set with 5 characters each (excluding 0's). My certificate of authenticity only has a few numbers below the bar code highlighted in pink, a string of numbers above the words "Win Home Prem 7 64-bit English Disk" and another set of numbers above another bar code.

EDIT: I think you're talking about the old versions of windows, I recall XP having the product key on the same sticker as the certificate of authenticity. Windows 7 doesn't seem to though.

Mine says, 'Product key', followed by all the numbers. If yours doesn't have that then don't know.

Hipster Doofus said:

Mine says, 'Product key', followed by all the numbers. If yours doesn't have that then don't know.

I know what you're talking about. That's not the certificate of authenticity, it's the product key sticker that comes with retail versions of Windows 7 that you purchase from the store.

I don't have a retail version of Windows 7, I purchased an online "upgrade" of Windows 7 from Digital River's Student store that was part of a promotion in Fall '09. There was an option of ordering a backup disc with my purchase. The backup disc came in a folded envelope with a different certificate of authenticity with a light blue/green background that has no useful numbers on it.

Thank you though, but it appears that I'll have to wait until I can reach another customer support specialist from Bali.

Have you tried here, towards the bottom of the page...

How do I re-download software or obtain the product key that I have already purchased?

https://store.digitalriver.com/DRHM/...ocale=en_US#q4

derekimo said:

Have you tried here, towards the bottom of the page...

How do I re-download software or obtain the product key that I have already purchased?

https://store.digitalriver.com/DRHM/...ocale=en_US#q4

Yeah I was looking at that before I came here, but the service can't seem to find any purchases made under my student e-mail (which I know I used). I sent them an e-mail so I guess that's all I can hope for. Otherwise I'll have to purchase Windows 7 again for $64 :/