OEM Disk without Key - Reinstall

I'm thinking about formatting and re-installing Windows on a Store-Built Machine. I noticed that the PC does not have a sticker with a software Key.

An OEM Windows Disk was provided.

Will I be able to reinstall? Will I need to call MS for a key?

You can re-install your system without any need to activate, as OEM software is already activated by the computer builder's licensing arrangements with Microsoft, so you won't have to call Microsoft.

Before you use your Windows disc, have you checked to see whether you have a recovery partition? Using that will automatically reformat your hard drive and restore your computer to its factory state.

Also, before you start, have you created a set of recovery discs as these will get you out of trouble when all else fails.

BillS22 said:

I'm thinking about formatting and re-installing Windows on a Store-Built Machine. I noticed that the PC does not have a sticker with a software Key.

An OEM Windows Disk was provided.

Will I be able to reinstall? Will I need to call MS for a key?

If you have a working, activated copy of Windows 7, you can get the key using software. I believe that the freeware Belarc Advisor does it.

(The key is stored in the Windows Registry, but it's encrypted.)

richnrockville said:

BillS22 said:

I'm thinking about formatting and re-installing Windows on a Store-Built Machine. I noticed that the PC does not have a sticker with a software Key.

An OEM Windows Disk was provided.

Will I be able to reinstall? Will I need to call MS for a key?

When you say Store-Built, exactly what store did you purchase it from?
If it was a local computer store then they should have put a sticker from the oem software on the side or back of the computer.
If you were given a real oem disk, there should have been a sticker someplace.

Rich

A good point and one that we should have picked up on sooner.

If your "OEM" DVD turns out not to be genuine then you will have problems activating it and will most likely have to buy another Windows DVD if you can't carry out a factory restore either.

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Well...I found the sticker with the Install Key. It was inside the computer on the back of the removable cover.

Hidden, but there.

Thanks