Windows 7 Replacement CD

The product key did work since I had bought a windows 7 cd from microsoft and did a clean install with it. My laptop initially came with vista installed on it.

gregrocker said:

Please explain why the key won't work if/when a COA sticker exists with Win7 Product Key?

We are the leading site online for assisting to clean reinstall factory OEM via this method, helping thousands of users without failure.

If you have questions please ask them but don't provide misinformation.

Runckle_SP1 said:

When using a licence from a company like Dell, HP, Samsung etc. The key will not work with just any copy of windows 7 as we have found. OEM keys are specific to a company and their software does not work just anywhere.


Misinformation...Really.

YES, Really.
As we are talking Dell in this thread.
The COA sticker key will work on a Dell only, the factory OEM-SLP activation method Product Key will only work with a Dell Recovery disk.
System Locked Preinstallation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

These are two different methods of activating factory-preinstalled Windows: OEM-SLP is a file added to Recovery Disks which interacts with the BIOS to auto-activate upon reinstall. This is also known as Offline activation.

But if you use the Product Key on COA sticker, it changes to OEM-COA method of activation which is managed by MS Activation Servers, will normally activate online or manually, seldom requiring phone activation option.

You may use a retail Win7 installer for your version to reinstall and it will activate with the Product Key as OEM-COA above. This has been the case since Vista. When you own pre-installed Win7 you still own the OS for the life of the machine even if the manufacturer goes out of business.

Incognito1 said:

The product key did work since I had bought a windows 7 cd from microsoft and did a clean install with it. My laptop initially came with vista installed on it.

Well, yes....if you use a Vista key on Win7 it will not work.