.
What Microsoft could do is make you type in the code on the OEM COA sticker. The downside is if the sticker is worn or scratched and you can't make out the product code. Then your in a pickle.
Which do you mean, Type in key for windows 10 install or type in key to keep windows 7? I did some experimenting and did use the key once. When digital rivers was available, I downloaded the 32 bit isos for windows 7. I used that for awhile before deciding to do another clean install and go back to 64 bit windows 7 using the dell re-installation disk (That dell sent me). My motherboard was also replaced under warranty. The 16 bit software didn't work to well on my system. I may have to do a phone activation.
I have tested the 32 bit of windows 10. It seems 16 bit software work a little better on that system, do not know why.
I always write the key down when I first get my system.
The Windows 7 product code on the OEM COA sticker, to prove you have a valid windows 7 license and qualify for the free upgrade to 10. Even though Windows 7 OEM activated PC's from the same manufacturer share a common product code, they also have a COA sticker with a unique code on it. Entering that code when prompted would prove you have an official OEM install. The Windows 7 OEM factory install key is useless by the way. If you do a normal install with regular install media that key will not activate, even by phone. It's deliberately blocked rom activating online. The only way it works is if you use the custom OEM install media from that manufacturer. If you do that, you don't need to know what the key is as its entered automatically. Windows 8 though, is a totally different scenario. Even then though, you don't really need to know what the key is. If you use the correct install media for your version of Windows 8, its read automatically during the install.
My Computer
At a glance
Windows 10 Education 64 bitAMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 MemoryZotac NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
- Computer type
- PC/Desktop
- Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
- Home Built
- OS
- Windows 10 Education 64 bit
- CPU
- AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
- Motherboard
- Asus M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
- Memory
- 8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
- Graphics Card(s)
- Zotac NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
- Sound Card
- VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
- Monitor(s) Displays
- 22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
- Screen Resolution
- 1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
- Hard Drives
- Crucial M100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
- PSU
- Thermaltake TR 620
- Case
- Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
- Cooling
- Stock heatsink and fan
- Keyboard
- Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
- Mouse
- Logitech Wireless M570 Trackman Wheel
- Internet Speed
- 80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
- Antivirus
- Windows Defender
- Browser
- Internet Explorer 11
- Other Info
- HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
