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

 

[NoelDP]

The fact that you purchased the Windows package on eBay is not a good sign - well over 50% of such packages are counterfeit.

To check, please post an MGADiag report, and we'll take a look.

Please followthis tutorial and post an MGADiag report - then we can see what the problem is.



http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/234159-windows-genuine-activation-issue-posting-instructions.html



Ignore errors produced when clicking on theCopy button - they simply mean that the tool could not create the backup filesfor some reason. The data is still copied to the clipboard for pasting to yourresponse.



Please also statethe Version and Edition of Windows quoted on your COA sticker (if you have one)on the case of your machine (or inside the battery compartment), but do NOTquote the Key on the sticker!

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/howtotell/Hardware.aspx

 

[dustymars]

I hope it turns out well.

I will wait until the disk comes in the mail then try to re-install Win-7 or put XP back then upgrade, etc., then activate it with the proper key and by phone. The guy e-mailed me confused so at least he is trying to resolve the situation and not robbing me. My error in thinking, while being distracted by stuff, made me do something I never do; that is install software when my mind was not on the Job

Hopefully all it will take is to load the disk and follow the prompts, enter the proper product key and go on from there. Otherwise it is just a time consuming task of putting XP back on and go from here. Seems like a simple job can be muddled into a confused mess when one's mind of off day dreaming.

 

[dustymars]

Hum, I must misunderstand Microsoft upgrades. The guy who sold me the product key advises me to re-install Windows 7 using my upgrade disk, then enter his product key when it asks for it during that process, then after the re-install use the phone method to activate it. Sounds right to me, but I thought the product key was integral to the OEM disks. I guess as long as the product key is validated by Microsoft during re-installation it will work okay? Just asking because the COA on the sticker looks okay.

 

[Brink]

Ah, ok. I misunderstood as well. There's a special way you have to do a clean install with an upgrade copy of Windows 7 before it will activate.

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

 

[dustymars]

Ah, ok. I misunderstood as well. There's a special way you have to do a clean install with an upgrade copy of Windows 7 before it will activate.

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

Thanks, that will do better. This should be the end of it and my daughter can be happy and me too...... The next upgrade here will be a new PC sometime down the road so installing will not be a problem. Thanks again

Jeff (aka dustymars)

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Jeff.

 

[dustymars]

Wow, after attempts with no results entering the product key it just would not come up valid. So, as an old naive nave I thought it interesting to ask for a refund. Well, not that naive, but to my surprise and the guy used eBay’s resolution process and immediately refunded my money! We find honest people like this guy only rarely these days. He will most certainly go in my good seller list.

So, guess I’ll just wait fro Christmas to get her a Windows 7 upgrade; that works. Can you imagine how long it takes to re-install Windows XP.

So, thanks for the advice, something did not work so it was just an education; after 53 years doing computers (hardware and software) I learned something new every day.

 

[Brink]

That's great news. Yeah, Windows is box of surprises. Always something new.

 

[shanex]

Activation by phone - can I use same confirmation id on 2 discs?

Hi there,

I just bought a copy of Windows 7 Professional DVD, from a friend, who is an ex-microsoft employee. It
has a "company store purchase" sticker on it. Not sure if that makes it a retail version or other? I got it
brand new, sealed.

I want to put this (64bit version) onto several hard discs in the same PC. None of these discs will ever
connect to the internet, so it'll be the phone activation route I'll take.

My first question: is this allowed for my version of Windows 7? Different installs on multiple discs in the
same PC?

Second question: after I install on disc 1, I'll go through the phone activation process and receive a
"confirmation id" to activate this disc. When I then go to install on disc 2,3,4,5,... will I be able to just
reuse the same confirmation id, or will I need to do a new phone activation for each disc?

Many thanks for any help!

 

[Brink]

Hello Shanex, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Sorry, but no. You are only allowed one activation per product key at the same time. You cannot have multiple installations activated with the same key even if they are on the same computer. That would against the EULA, considered to be theft, and could get your product key invalidated.

 

[shanex]

Thanks Brink, I think I understand. So if multiple discs have the OS on them, but only one disc is ever powered up at a time, is this still a breach?

Thx!

 

[Brink]

Yep, that's not allowed either. Only one installation can be activated with the key. All other installations will either need a different key, or remain unactivated.

 

[shanex]

So then if I installed Win7 on a disk, and that disk died, and I buy a new disk, I have to buy a new Win7 installation?

 

[Brink]

No. You would be able to install and activate it again on another hard drive since the other drive is dead, and the installation is technically no more.

Basically, if you want to activate the product key for a Windows 7 installation, the product key cannot currently be activated on any other installation, active or not. Any other activated installation with that same key would need to be formatted.

 

[shanex]

Ok, but how does microsoft know that the first disk is truly dead? Like I said, I'm never going on the www with any of my disks? Sorry, I'm not trying to be awkward, I'm just curious as to how they actually can police this..

 

[Brink]

When you activate them, they will be kept track of on the Microsoft activation servers. If more than one installation shows activated with the same key often, then it's going to be pretty obvious something is wrong. They may then get red flagged and all be deactivated.

They'll know the other one is dead, when it no longer shows up after the key is activated on anther installation.

 

[shanex]

Ok, thanks again. One other question: what exactly happens if you don't activate after the 30 days? I read that you just don't get windows updates anymore? Is that true?

 

[Brink]

I don't remember the full details, but you would have some features no longer work, and be constantly nagged to activate.

 

[andrew129260]

Source: What happens to Windows 7 after the 30 day activation has expired? - Microsoft Community


What happens if you don’t Activate Windows?
If you choose not to activate Windows, the operating system will go into what is called Reduced Functional mode.

Meaning, certain functionality will be disabled. Certain software included with windows will not work.

Benefits you gain from activating:

- Access to all Windows Updates with confidence that your Windows software has the latest security and reliability enhancements from Microsoft.

*If you do not activate, you do not get security updates. This alone is why you should activate*

- Support for your software, including downloads reserved exclusively for genuine Windows software.
Image

A Windows 7 installation in Reduced functional mode (notice the watermark at the right hand corner).
If you don’t activate your Windows software
- You will be prompted every time you log in to Activate.
- You will receive periodic prompts to activate your software.
- Certain visual experiences will be disabled such as the Windows Aero Glass theme.
- Won't be able to update software such as Microsoft Security Essentials.

 

[Brink]

Thank you Andrew. I've updated the tutorial for more information about this in the red warning box at the top.