Windows 7: Windows Could Not Activate

Hi Guys


Here is my problem, i have windows 7 registered to me that is the operating system on my pc, i have had it installed for a few months now, i have reformatted my hard drive many times and reinstalled my win 7 on my desktop with no problems until now.

I now keep getting a message appear at the bottom right of my monitor saying Windows could not activate, is it because i have installed it so many times and updated it or do i have another problem, Any help on this subject would be of great help, I have tried retyping my serial number in but no luck

Many thanks in advance

bobby g

Who make of PC?

Have you changed any hardware? what version do you have ? (oem, retail, etc)

Have a look at this: How To Activate Windows 7 by Phone Step-by-Step Guide

Hi guys


Thanks for the replies.

My pc is a self built one about 3 years ago, it has win 7 retail op system on it, yes i have installed a new hard drive and reformatted that no problems, i have installed win 7 on many ocassions before on this pc and had no problems.

I am wondering if microsoft only lets me use the installation a certain number of times, it downloads all the updates no problem, but still wont let me activate, have you guys got any more ideas i can try, please


bobby g

I remember the carry on I had when I changed my hard-drive,had to activate by phone,but when I changed my cpu I had no problems.
If all else has failed then give microsoft a ring,It Is a very easy process to do and as long as It has not been blocked they will have you up and running in no time,

You can reinstall or migrate Windows 7 retail as many times as you want, as long as it is on only one machine at a time.

To assure this, MS requires the hardware signature to be updated when any hardware changes, which might require the robocall to MS during activation.

If the key is flatly refused or activation fails via robocall and then an agent, then call MS Customer Service which will validate the key and open a tech support case to make sure it is installed correctly.

Once the key is validated and a case is opened, they will make it work.

MS has a hardware upgrade policy for activation purposes. I have posted about that in some other thread also. When activation is performed, Windows saves a record of the hardware in the user's machine. If the system is booted up with significant hardware changes (such as replacing the motherboard or the hard disk or memory at the same time), Windows will require immediate reactivation to prevent the possibility that the same copy of the operating system has been installed on two different systems.

Every hardware change is assigned a weight depending on how serious MS considers it. E.g., a mobo change has the highest weigtage and changing your mobo will most certainly deactivate windows. A CD drive change is perhaps the most minor one, similarly RAM upgrade.

Unfortunately, one is not privy to the exact weightages. AFAIK, hardware info is recorded in 8 categories.

Display Adapter
SCSI Adapter
IDE Adapter
Network Adapter
RAM Amount Range
Processor Type and Serial Number
Hard Drive Device and Volume Serial Number
Optical Drive

You will need to call MS and try convince them you are not using the same license on multiple machines. Good luck!

Hi Guys


Thanks again for all your replies, I cant seem to find the phone number for MS Customer services, has anyone got it , Please


bobby g

Go through the link WHS posted.