Solved Activated Windows 7 in error

[gallicbear]

Hi there. I am installing a system with Windows 7 Home Premium. During the setup process I filled out the Windows key instead of skipping. I meant to test it first before activating because I am unsure about my machine. Also, the box was checked saying 'activate when I am online'. What now? Is my product actually activated? I have no way of checking because that installation actually failed and I reinstalled with different parameters. My question is: Does Windows actually go online on the setup screen or once the system has loaded? Also, can an install be deactivated if it has gone through? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Brink]

Hello Gallicbear,

Installation will just check to make sure it's a valid product key, but Windows doesn't actually get activated until it's successfully installed and goes online to activate.

If it's a retail key, then it doesn't matter anyways since it can be used to activate Windows on any computer as long as it's removed from all other computers first. Sometimes you may need to activate by phone if it won't activate online normally though.

Hope this helps.

 

[gallicbear]

Thanks, Brink. It is actually an OEM product. Hope it doesn't make any difference, that setup only checks for the validity of the key. Right now I am still testing that system.

 

[Brink]

Ah, ok. Since installation failed, you should be fine.

 

[gallicbear]

Thanks again, Brink.

 

[Brink]

Anytime.