Retrieve Windows 7 product key

[Djinn99]

Hi,

I was testing an application called Produkey to retrieve my Windows 7 Product key.

It seems to work perfectly and this application has a very good reputation but the Windows product key retrieved by the application is not the same as the one written on the back of my laptop. Strange...:huh:
Is there an explanation for this?

Thanks for your ideas.

Djinn

 

[Layback Bear]

Yes their is a reason.
It retrieved the manufactures slp key not the Microsoft COA key.

I would suggest writing down the COA key off of the COA sticker on the computer so you don't loose it. Sometimes the sticker wears out so you can't see it well.

Why are you testing this program?

 

[Djinn99]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I'm trying this application because I'm working for a school and we bought 10 new computers for our IT classroom.

They are pre-installed with Windows 7 Pro but I have to add softwares on each of these computers. So I was thinking of doing all these extra installations on one computer and then to clone it and install the clone on all the other computers.
This would save me a lot of time. But I after installing the clones I have to re-enter the windows activation keys on these computers and we don't have these keys. There is no sticker with the Windows Product key on the computers.
The dealer of the computers told me that Microsoft do this now with the Windows 7 pre-installations.

Sorry for the long story but this is the reason why I'm trying this tool. I would like to know if I can find the windows product keys of the other computers before I would install the clones on it.

Just a question about what you said : are the manufactures slc key retrieved by the Productkey tool also valid to activate Windows ? (after a complete reinstallation or the installation of a clone)

Thx

 

[Layback Bear]

Well I think I know the answer under most conditions. Because you are in Belgium and have many computers for classrooms I think our experts on such things would be the best to answer this question.

I will go back to the ranch and ask for help.

 

[AddRAM]

The dealer is wrong, any pc sold with windows 7 comes with a COA. If not, he broke the law. He/they owe you a key for every machine they sold you.

And no you can`t use the mass factory activation key to re activate windows.

It would be faster for you to install the software on every pc then to clone every pc

 

[Djinn99]

Thanks this would be great

I will go to sleep now as it is almost midnight here in Belgium and come back tomorrow to the forum.

Thanks already for your kindly help. Bye

 

[Djinn99]

The dealer is wrong, any pc sold with windows 7 comes with a COA. If not, he broke the law. He/they owe you a key for every machine they sold you.

And no you can`t use the mass factory activation key to re activate windows.

It would be faster for you to install the software on every pc then to clone every pc

Cool I didn't expect an answer so quickly!

There are no stickers at all on the computers like the one you showed. So normally the dealer has to give us the licence product keys, right?

 

[Layback Bear]

AddRAM answered before I got my post for help.
Thanks for jumping in and helping.

 

[ThrashZone]

Yes he does have to give you the keys

 

[townsbg]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I'm trying this application because I'm working for a school and we bought 10 new computers for our IT classroom.

They are pre-installed with Windows 7 Pro but I have to add softwares on each of these computers. So I was thinking of doing all these extra installations on one computer and then to clone it and install the clone on all the other computers.
This would save me a lot of time. But I after installing the clones I have to re-enter the windows activation keys on these computers and we don't have these keys. There is no sticker with the Windows Product key on the computers.
The dealer of the computers told me that Microsoft do this now with the Windows 7 pre-installations.

Sorry for the long story but this is the reason why I'm trying this tool. I would like to know if I can find the windows product keys of the other computers before I would install the clones on it.

Just a question about what you said : are the manufactures slc key retrieved by the Productkey tool also valid to activate Windows ? (after a complete reinstallation or the installation of a clone)

Thx

To do this you either need to have a multi-volume license from Microsoft or you would need to use the serial numbers that came with the computer. Any license that comes with a computer is likely a OEM license which will only activate on one computer. They cannot be transferred to other computers.

 

[AddRAM]

Did you not read the post, the pc`s didn`t come with COA`s or keys.

Installing the software to 10 pc`s will take no time at all, do it when the kids go home for the day.

As I already said, cloning will take way longer and could create all types of problems, not to mention the fact (again) the op does not have keys.

 

[SIW2]

No idea what law is supposed to have been broken.

MS used to insist keys were given with win7, but they don't do that now.

If you want to know about the law , it is here:

http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2012-07/cp120094en.pdf

It is perfectly clear. If you have bought a license, it is yours. Move it, sell it, whatever.
It may be the keys on those machines bought for the school are not slp.

You can check The Ultimate PID Checker

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yes well having a great deal of trouble with a dealer just lately I found by accident the activation code dished up by various software's can be at least three different ones and it turned out that the actual activation code was none of them so I would be very careful what software tells you what re the COA code.
In my instance the dealer states he does not have to attach a sticker and only has to provide me with the activation.
Bu I am not going to bore everyone with my very long story except that Microsoft stated to me on the phone that a sticker has to be attached yet many EBay dealers are in fact not attaching 7 COA stickers because a) I don't think they have them and b) they are misusing their bulk install licence.

 

[NoelDP]

The ONLY cases where MS do not insist on COA Stickers being attached are where the machine is a downgrade from Win8 Pro - which REQUIRES that the installation media are the manufacturer's Recovery media.

I think that if this is the case here (and it's likely), then cloning a machine should work OK as the SLIC table should match so long as all machines are the same make (and model??).

Having said that, the optimum solution would be a proper sysprepped image using a Volume License Key.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Ok Noel so in my case the seller is probably right re the sticker? as it was a downgrade from 8.1 which the machine was built to have installed as the normal.

I still think these fellows area bit shonky but if what you ay is right then they are right in not having to place a sticker on the machines they put the optional 7 install on?

 

[NoelDP]

So long as it has a Windows 8 Pro sticker on, it's legal.
If there's neither the Win 8 Pro sticker, nor a Win7 COA (that matches the installed OS) then it's deffo not legal

 

[AddRAM]

No idea what law is supposed to have been broken.

MS used to insist keys were given with win7, but they don't do that now.

If you want to know about the law , it is here:

http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2012-07/cp120094en.pdf

It is perfectly clear. If you have bought a license, it is yours. Move it, sell it, whatever.
It may be the keys on those machines bought for the school are not slp.

You can check The Ultimate PID Checker

What law ?

The one that says every PC sold with windows 7 has to come with a COA and key.

Just a simple chat I did with Dell 30 seconds ago.


Dell Logo
3:58:38 PM Customer Brian
Initial Question/Comment: .
3:58:43 PM System System
You are now being connected to an agent. Thank you for using Dell Chat
3:58:43 PM System System
Connected with TIP_Simon G
3:58:43 PM Agent TIP_Simon G
Welcome to Dell.com Live Chat! I hope you are doing well and thank you for waiting. My name is Simon. How are you today? How may I help you?
3:59:12 PM Customer Brian
Does every Windows 7 pc you sell come with a COA and key ?
4:00:04 PM Agent TIP_Simon G
Hi Brian. Thanks for chatting. Let me just double check that for you.
4:00:47 PM Customer Brian
Such as this
4:00:59 PM Customer Brian
My pic won`t upload
4:01:59 PM Agent TIP_Simon G
Oh I'm sorry there must be an error with our chat box.
4:02:20 PM Customer Brian
Np poroblem, I`m sure you know what a COA is
4:02:20 PM Agent TIP_Simon G
Upon checking yes it comes with it Brian.
4:02:45 PM Customer Brian
And windows 8 pc`s do not, correct ?
4:04:44 PM Agent TIP_Simon G
Let me just look for a system here it my end to make sure.
4:06:49 PM Agent TIP_Simon G
Upon checking, it comes with COA also. By the way, are you planning to purchase a system? Do you want me to assist you?
4:06:57 PM Customer Brian
And who demands the sticker be on there ? Microsoft or Dell ?
4:07:15 PM Customer Brian
no I already own a Dell, I`m doing research
4:08:02 PM Customer Brian
Does the Windows 8 pc have the actual COA sticker ?
4:08:59 PM Agent TIP_Simon G
It is Microsoft since it is for there security purposes. Yes it has the actual. \
4:09:17 PM Customer Brian
You have been very helpful, Thank You
4:09:29 PM Agent TIP_Simon G
It’s my goal to provide excellent customer service in every chat. Have I addressed all your concerns? Could I have done anything differently to better assist you?

It’s my goal to provide excellent customer service in every chat. Have I addressed all your concerns? Could I have done anything differently to better assist you?
4:09:48 PM Customer Brian
You were perfect :~)
4:10:04 PM Agent TIP_Simon G
You're most welcome! I know time is very valuable to you, but I hope you can give me 10 seconds of your precious time to fill out the survey which will POP UP after clicking on “EXIT” located at the upper right corner of the chat window. It will be greatly appreciated. Kindly deactivate your pop up blocker for the survey to show up. Thank you for choosing Dell =) Have a wonderful day! Smile
4:10:04 PM System System
TIP_Simon G has left this session!
4:10:04 PM System System
The session has ended!

 

[SIW2]

The one that says every PC sold with windows 7 has to come with a COA and key

.

I still don't see any law requiring product keys to be stuck on a machine. It is something MS insisted the oems do, it may be part of the contract between them. Apparently not any more. I haven't bought a machine with win8 on, so I can't be certain. Haven't there been posters saying they don't get keys now - aside from the one embedded in the firmware?

MS do not make laws.

 

[AddRAM]

Every pc ever sold by a reputable company since 1995 with a windows OS installed has come with a legal COA, and no, some companies may not use them for Windows 8. But as per my chat with Dell, they say they come with a COA. My point is, the pc`s that the OP got should have stickers on them. I would certainly question the dealer as to where he got the Windows 7 licenses and how did he activate windows, are these new pc`s etc.

https://www.google.com/webhp?source...=does microsoft make laws about it`s software

 

[ICIT2LOL]

So long as it has a Windows 8 Pro sticker on, it's legal.
If there's neither the Win 8 Pro sticker, nor a Win7 COA (that matches the installed OS) then it's deffo not legal

Ok Noel it has got so convoluted now re an issue with the new machine I bought I am not going to argue the toss with the seller anymore because it has a sticker for the 8 but no 7 sticker for the (I think) install he did using a ?bulk install agreement licence he has with Microsoft. In any case I could not get a straight answer from Microsoft because of the problems with language and the knowledge of the call centre operator apart from - "ask the seller for a sticker" which I have on more occasions than I care to remember and on each occasion him saying he doesn't have to put a 7 sticker on.
What I do know is that the version he put on was build 7600 so therefore must be a very old licence if that what it is for him to install 7 on the machines he sells - as an option to that wretched 8 stuff. I have said in other threads that I found out after six hours of searching and an error code for not downloading updates that SP1 was not present - which I downloaded and installed and the thing started downloading updates willy - nilly.
Pic is of the only sticker on the bottom of the machine there is no stickers otherwise not even maker's serial numbers etc etc
To be honest if Windows 10 is as good as 7 and I have to upgrade to that then I will do that to get away from all the extremely - again convoluted - rules, regulations and laws.