Activate Windows 7 by Phone

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)

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.

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)

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.
Activation Error Codes


That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Activate Windows 7 Online
• How to Change the Product Key Number in Windows 7
• How to Find and See the Windows 7 Product Key Number
• How to Uninstall the Product Key Number and Deactivate Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8
• Windows Genuine and Activation Issue Posting Instructions
• How to Activate Office 2013

 

[derekimo]

I'll just install linux or something. This is to much work and to many headaches. Thanks for trying though.

If that's what you really want, Why not use a different phone, You paid for something you might as well get your money's worth. This may seem like a PITA but you will feel better when it's fixed and you are enjoying this great OS on your computer.

 

[Brink]

Already went over why I can't activate by phone. Obviously you were not listening.

How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone​

Obviously you do not want help. Goodbye.

 

[artfigure]

Questions please:
- If want to re-install Windows 7 due hardware change or virus damage (Win7 Ultimate Retail/Full Version)... what should we do? I read we must uninstall the Windows 7 if the PC can't even enter windows 7 due the virus attack?

Thank you

 

[Brink]

Hello Artfigure, and welcome to Seven Forums.

It depends on what type of copy of Windows 7 (ex: retail, OEM, upgrade, student, Anytime upgrade) you have, but you could just do a clean install of Windows 7 to format the hard drive while installing it. Afterwards, try doing a normal online activation. If it will not activate online, then you can do a phone activation.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[adeftonic]

activating windows on phone

Hey

I had to do a reinstall of Win7 due to problems with a motherboard, basically had one flashed bios, corrupted, got a new motherboard, then had problems with hardware advised to reformat and clear cmos, and it worked Reinstalled Windows etc. I know that Windows detects if it thinks on another CPU etc etc and wont activate.

I've read tutuorial and done the enter the 9 6-digit codes and only response I have got is the number cannot be activated you may be a victim of software piracy (not the case as this is a genuine copy of Windows 7 Ultimate -it did activate online before no problems, all the genuine stuff is on the box etc) and then the call is ended. Have tried both numbers (in the UK) other phone lines and still cant get through to an activation agent or any real person from the windows activation centres, the option doesn't even come up before getting cut off. Anyone else had this problem, am I doing something wrong, any suggestions?

Cheers
Simon

 

[Brink]

Hello Simon, and welcome to Seven Forums.

They may have been busy and an operator not available. You might try back at a different time to see if you may be able to get through to one then.

 

[Adriaan]

Activate via phone not available

Hallo!

I want to activate my Windows 7 Pro with my phone, but when I go to the window to activate my windows, the option 'See other methods' is disabled.

If I type in slui.exe 4 it also redirects me to the window where you can select activation via internet, re-entering your product key or buying a new product key and the other methods option is still disabled.

I then tried to activate it via the internet, but it says connecting and then throws out an error that says that my DNS name does not exist.

Can anyone please help me

 

[Brink]

Hello Adiraan, and welcome to Seven Forums.

When you type slui.exe 4 in the Start Menu search box and press enter, you should see the screenshot under step 4 to be able to select a phone number from your area to call Microsoft at.

 

[Dinesh]

Hi Shawn,

I reinstalled Windows 7 and when I m trying to activate it, I get an error.
I then tried to activate it by calling the Indian toll free phone number. But after entering all the 9 sets of the confirmation ID, the IVR says, "Sorry, there is a technical issue, please try again later". This is happening since last 3 days.

 

[Brink]

Hello Dinesh,

It sounds like they are having some sort of problem on their end. About all you can do is to try calling back at different times to see if you may get an operator.

What error did you get? If it's the same error as in OPTION THREE below, then you might see if that may help.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[NoelDP]

You may want to tweak section 9
Expierince says that around 90% of the time, if the automated activation fails, holding on simply times out and the service hangs up on you.
It's better to phone back, and this time NOT respond when the ansafone requests which service you require (twice) - this puts you in the queue to speak to an opertor, and doesn't seem to time out so quickly.

 

[Brink]

Good idea Noel. Done.

 

[JonathanV]

When we call to activation service, what would we do?

A. Enter an installation ID and wait for confirmation ID.
B. Answer question from operator about activation.
C. Other.

I haven't activate by phone.

 

[NoelDP]

First use the automated telephone service - it will often work.
If it fails for any reason, in theory you should hold on to speak to an operator - experience shows that this tends to time out after a minute, and you get hung up on. At that point, ring back, and when the ansafone asks which serve you require, DO NOT respond at all. it'll ask again (ignore it again), and then put you in a queue to speak to a human operator, and you can explain your problem and ask for assistance.

 

[JonathanV]

So we need to explain the problem first before entering installation ID?

 

[NoelDP]

If you get as far as needing to speak to an operator, then you need to be able to explain the problem fairly clearly to them so they can follow their scripts
Just answer their questions honestly and in as much detail as they need.

 

[dustymars]

I bought a Windows 7 Home Premium, FULL VERSION with COA GENUINE (OEM Software) upgrade off eBay and it installed successfully on my laptop with no problems. My daughter’s desktop still has XP so, I installed the same upgrade on her PC just to allow her to play with it. She liked it so I went back on eBay and bought (won a bid) a Product Key for her PC. Well, while getting older drains the brain I forgot to enter the Product Key before doing activation by phone and it activated without a problem.

The mystery is now I have a laptop with the same Product Key as my daughter’s desktop PC and all works well. All lives in "valid world." Feeling guilty she attempted to enter the Product Key then do another activation by phone to make it legit, but the Product Key will not work; in other words it says it is not a valid Key. I guess we either got the shaft from a crook on eBay or we have found out how to install the upgrade on many PCs. Where am I going wrong?

 

[Brink]

Hello Dusty,

Using the product key from your PC on both or multiple PCs will eventually have your PCs unactivated, and possibly have the product key permanently invalidated by Microsoft. I would very strongly recommend to only have a product key activated on only one PC at the same time to avoid this.

eBay is not the most reliable place to purchase a product key from. It may or may not be a valid key, but who knows how many times they sold the same product key, how many other PCs it may be activated on, or if Microsoft had already invalidated it.

About all you can do is to change the product key on your daughter's PC to the one you bought on eBay. If needed, talk to an operator when activating by phone instead of just using the automated bit. You could also try using the links in the blue note box at the top of this tutorial to see what gives you. Otherwise, you may need to contact eBay or the person that sold it to you to try and get a refund.

 

[dustymars]

Hello Dusty,

Using the product key from your PC on both or multiple PCs will eventually have your PCs unactivated, and possibly have the product key permanently invalidated by Microsoft. I would very strongly recommend to only have a product key activated on only one PC at the same time to avoid this.

eBay is not the most reliable place to purchase a product key from. It may or may not be a valid key, but who knows how many times they sold the same product key, how many other PCs it may be activated on, or if Microsoft had already invalidated it.

About all you can do is to change the product key on your daughter's PC to the one you bought on eBay. If needed, talk to an operator when activating by phone instead of just using the automated bit. You could also try using the links in the blue note box at the top of this tutorial to see what gives you. Otherwise, you may need to contact eBay or the person that sold it to you to try and get a refund.

I am afraid you are right. It will be the first time I have been taken by someone on eBay. Past actions were always up front and good, but I have a feeling this time I fell for a trap. I may just remove Win7 from her PC and run the update again, but this time enter the new product key to see what happens. If it still doesn't work then I'll just buy her a valid upgrade and then take actions via eBay while not banking on them doing anything about it.

Even after a life time of making good deals one can step into dog poop. If this guy took me for a ride then he'll think long and hard the next time he tries it on someone else. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Brink]

I hope it turns out well.