Windows 7 Clean Re-install from COA key

[SlasherIT]

Hello,

I am preparing to do a clean install on my HP laptop, as the HP Windows 7 (that came from the factory) is bloated and messed up...

So, I have backed up everything and am ready to insert the retail disk and install Windows 7. I am going to use the COA key on the bottom of the laptop. Using this key, during the installation menu, will it work fine and accept it? Will I have to call Microsoft? Am I going to get any issues from using this key? I've never actually done this before with a COA key so... Help would be appreciated.

Slasher

 

[richnrockville]

Hello,

I am preparing to do a clean install on my HP laptop, as the HP Windows 7 (that came from the factory) is bloated and messed up...

So, I have backed up everything and am ready to insert the retail disk and install Windows 7. I am going to use the COA key on the bottom of the laptop. Using this key, during the installation menu, will it work fine and accept it? Will I have to call Microsoft? Am I going to get any issues from using this key? I've never actually done this before with a COA key so... Help would be appreciated.

Slasher

I am not 100% sure but the COA key on your laptop is for the OEM version of Windows that came with the system. I believe you will have to use the key that you received with the retail version .
Rich

 

[SlasherIT]

I'm using the retail version of a friend.

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Hi SlasherIT

Ive borrowed my friends retail dvd and installed a clean version of windows many times now and have never had a problem activating it with my COA sticker on my Acer laptop. So long as you install the same version I cant see there been a problem.

The only thing I was advised to do by someone on here (I cant remember who now)was to not enter the key during the install and dont tick the activate when online checkbox, just skip that part and then activate when windows is up and running.

Ive done this also using my friends sp1 dvd and had no issues activating.

Hope all goes well for you

Danny

 

[SlasherIT]

So you recommend I activate Windows after installation? Do you always do this, or do you activate during installation? Have you ever had to call Microsoft?

Slasher

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

So you recommend I activate Windows after installation? Do you always do this, or do you activate during installation? Have you ever had to call Microsoft?

Slasher

Personally Ive always skipped the part where you enter your key and left the "activate when online" checkbox empty. 3 reasons for me really.

1) You can make sure windows has installed correctly and alls well with your system before activation.

2) It was the advice given to me from a well respected member on here (wish I could remember who)

3) Ive probably done 5-6 clean installs to this notebook now 2 of which were sp1 installs using a friends dvd and ive never had an issue yet, never once had to get a phone activation.

This is just the method that seems to work best for me.

Danny

 

[gregrocker]

Here is everything you need to get a perfect clean reinstall of factory OEM using the Product Key on COA sticker, which rarely needs phone activation and will normally take the Product Key upfront and activate online after install: Reinstalling Windows 7

Make your Recovery Disks ahead of time in case you ever want to restore to factory condition. With HP these disks can be used to extract any applications you want to add back in after clean reinstall: Extract HP 3rd Party Software from RecovCD

 

[SlasherIT]

I already have recovery discs. I will activate after Windows 7 is installed then... I created an iso from my friends disk and have already made it so that I can install 32 bit or 64 bit versions of each edition of Windows 7... Not that I'll need most anyway.

Slasher