Product key in registry does not correspond with product key in BIOS

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  1. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    Product key in registry does not correspond with product key in BIOS


    I have been reading posts on seven-/eight-/tenforums for years with pleasure and gratitude for all the solutions they provided. But my current issue is one of the strangest things I've encountered in all these years. Have been searching through a lot of posts but haven't found any similar issue (or solution for it) yet. So here it goes.

    Symptom: the OEM product key in the registry of a Windows 7 Pro installation (laptop) does not correspond with the OEM product key in the laptop's BIOS.

    Here's the situation in short. It concerns a laptop from a student friend of mine who asked me to upgrade her current Windows 7 Pro x64 OS to Windows 10. She couldn't tell me if the installation was the original OEM factory partition or if it (perhaps) could be a pirated version. Since I wasn't about to just upgrade to Windows 10 without checking the authenticity of the Windows 7 OS, I performed the regular checks: see if it was activated already by running the "Activate Windows" program (check), check under Control Panel -> System and Maintenance -> System tab if the OS was already activated (check) and run Microsoft's online Validation Tool (check). Everything seems fine, the OS is activated and genuine.

    Still, the COA sticker was missing. My friend didn't have any physical recovery media or other stuff with a license sticker on it. So I thought I'd check the product key stored in the BIOS and compare it with the product key in the registry. If they'd correspond, all would be well.

    However, things turned out differently. After retrieving the product key from the registry with several programs (Magical Jellybean Key Finder, Belarc Advisor and Windows Product Key Finder Pro), I compared it with the BIOS product key (retrieved with NeoSmart Technologies' Windows OEM Product Key Tool). Result: they did not correspond. I couldn't believe it at first and double checked it with another program that retrieves both the registry product key and the BIOS product key and lists it in one table (One Up's Recover Keys). It confirmed my initial result.

    I know that it's possible to run a pirated version that is activated and appears to be genuine and pass the validation tool. And since it's a students' laptop, I can't rule this out. But it could also be possible that another genuine OEM version has been installed on the laptop (and thus activated and genuine). And that's why I want to be absolutely sure I'm doing the right thing with upgrading to Windows 10. Therefore, I'm a bit stuck in my upgrade decision process.

    My questions are:

    1. Should I just upgrade to Windows 10 on the current Windows 7 OS without knowing if the latter is truly genuine or not? I suppose that the Windows 10 upgrade will complete successfully since the current Windows 7 OS has passed the validation tool, but this is merely a prediction. I haven't tried upgrading a pirated Windows 7/8/8.1 OS, so I'm not sure what happens in such a situation.

    2. If the first question is answered positive, will the Windows 10 upgrade use the registry product key of the Windows 7 installation (and register the laptop hardware on the MS servers and tie the new Windows 10 license to the laptop hardware config based on that registry product key)?

    3. If second question is answered negative, will the Windows 10 upgrade use the BIOS product key?

    4. I know that since the Windows 10 November update, it is not necessary anymore to upgrade from the Windows 7 OS first and then wipe everything for a clean full Windows 10 install. As I've read, one can immediately start with a clean full Windows 10 install and then enter the Windows 7 product key when prompted to enter a key during the install process. With this in mind, would it be sensible to immediately do a clean full Windows 10 install and enter the BIOS product key since this key is originally tied to the laptop hardware (and completely disregard the registry product key of the current Windows 7 OS)?

    I realize these are a lot of questions, my apologies for this. But this situation has been boggling my mind for the past five hours. Hopefully you could help me out. Thanks in advance.
    Last edited by riddler; 16 Jan 2016 at 19:38.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #2

    A windows 7 key is not stored or shown in the bios.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    @AddRAM: thnx for the quick response!

    I also initially thought that only Windows 8/8.1 OEM keys are stored in the BIOS, but strangely NeoSmart Technologies' Windows OEM Product Key Tool does give a certain 'BIOS key' as a result (see attachment below).

    See other attachment to this post: the exact same result is also given by One Up's Recover Keys under "Windows 7 Professional (from BIOS) -> License Key". Also see that same attachment: the result under "Windows 7 Professional -> License Key" corresponds to the results given by Magical Jellybean Key Finder, Belarc Advisor and Windows Product Key Finder Pro (which all three extract from the registry).

    If only one program extracts a so-called 'key from BIOS', it could easily be seen as an anomaly. But if two programs retrieve the exact same 'BIOS key' then surely that can't be a coincidence, right? Especially when the second program lists both the 'BIOS key' and the different registry key (which is confirmed by three other registry key retrievers)?

    -----
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Product key in registry does not correspond with product key in BIOS-screenshot-1.png   Product key in registry does not correspond with product key in BIOS-screenshot-2.png  
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 312
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 x64 (OEM)
       #4

    Hello,

    NoelDP's response may help shed light on why you're seeing different keys:
    Win 7: How to find OS product key in BIOS?

    Below is also useful reading (specially the bulleted list) :
    How to Find Your Lost Windows or Office Product Keys
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    @kathy025: thnx for the tips and links :)

    NoelDP's response and this article made it clear for me that a distinction should be made between the OEM:SLP key (which resides in the BIOS of the laptop) and the OEM:COA key (which can be found on the COA sticker).

    I followed the bulleted list in the HowToGeek-article you mentioned:
    • Stored in software on your PC --> check; already retrieved the product key from the registry via various programs (see my previous posts in this thread);
    • Printed on a sticker --> check; already determined that the COA sticker is missing on the laptop;
    • Embedded in your PC's UEFI firmware --> check; the laptop has no UEFI and/or Windows 8/8.1 installed. The key that is embedded in the BIOS is an OEM SLP (as per NoelDP's response).

    I also found this blog explaining how to retrieve the OEM:SLP key with a program called SLIC Toolkit. The blog's download link to the toolkit sadly contains a virus, so I haven't been able to try it out yet (searching for other download links brings me to shady sources). But I assume it will give the exact same result as NeoSmart's Windows OEM Product Key Tool and Recover Keys (under 'BIOS' key).

    The HowToGeek-article also mentions running a VBS-script and using NirSoft's ProduKey. I've put the results in two attachments to this post.

    The VBS-script gives the exact same result as the other registry product key retrievers. NirSoft's ProduKey shows both the registry key and the BIOS key. The BIOS key corresponds with the results given by NeoSmart's Windows OEM Product Key Tool and Recover Keys (under 'BIOS' key).

    I think that the laptop's current Windows 7 OS is a genuine and activated OS. However, as mentioned in my opening post the laptop unfortunately has no COA sticker. So I'll just write down the registry product key of the current OS and do the upgrade to Windows 10 from the current OS. Once I've finished and all is well, I'll come back to it in this thread and give you my end result.

    Small follow-up question in the meantime: suppose I had received the laptop with a complete blank harddrive (i.e. everything wiped including all factory and restore partitions) and the only key that I could retrieve is the OEM SLP key from the BIOS, could I use this key to re-install Windows 7 on the laptop? (not sure how I would get OEM media to do the installation, but that would be a later concern)

    -----
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Product key in registry does not correspond with product key in BIOS-screenshot-3.png   Product key in registry does not correspond with product key in BIOS-screenshot-4.png  
    Last edited by riddler; 17 Jan 2016 at 09:34. Reason: Corrected two grammatical errors.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7,101
    W7 home premium 32bit/W7HP 64bit/w10 tp insider ring
       #6

    MXdiag


    Run and post the MXdiag results,
    We will be able to tell if its the original OEM or a replacement.

    Windows Genuine and Activation Issue Posting Instructions

    Roy
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    @torchwood (Roy): totally forgot about MXdiag. Thnx for reminding.

    Code:
    Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
    -----------------------------------------
    Windows Validation Data-->
    
    Validation Code: 0
    Cached Online Validation Code: 0x0
    Windows Product Key: *****-*****-WWYF9-R9DCR-QB9CK
    Windows Product Key Hash: 9qUnykN7Dhap+p4EDDmqAMCqFfM=
    Windows Product ID: 00371-OEM-8992671-00007
    Windows Product ID Type: 2
    Windows License Type: OEM SLP
    Windows OS version: 6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048
    ID: {D830BFEE-87E4-42F2-A7B6-D284DCB2801F}(1)
    Is Admin: Yes
    TestCab: 0x0
    LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    Product Name: Windows 7 Professional
    Architecture: 0x00000009
    Build lab: 7601.win7sp1_gdr.151230-0600
    TTS Error: 
    Validation Diagnostic: 
    Resolution Status: N/A
    
    Vista WgaER Data-->
    ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    
    Windows XP Notifications Data-->
    Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    File Exists: No
    Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    
    OGA Notifications Data-->
    Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    
    OGA Data-->
    Office Status: 109 N/A
    OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
    Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    Office Diagnostics: 025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3
    
    Browser Data-->
    Proxy settings: N/A
    User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Win32)
    Default Browser: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
    Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
    Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
    Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
    Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
    Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
    Active scripting: Allowed
    Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed
    
    File Scan Data-->
    
    Other data-->
    Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{D830BFEE-87E4-42F2-A7B6-D284DCB2801F}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048</OS><Architecture>x64</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-QB9CK</PKey><PID>00371-OEM-8992671-00007</PID><PIDType>2</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-226357066-1169219840-648947338</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>FUJITSU</Manufacturer><Model>LIFEBOOK E734</Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>FUJITSU // Phoenix Technologies Ltd.</Manufacturer><Version>Version 1.20</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="7"/><Date>20150203000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>E3D13707018400F4</HWID><UserLCID>0413</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0413</SystemLCID><TimeZone>West-Europa (standaardtijd)(GMT+01:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>FUJ   </OEMID><OEMTableID>PC      </OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>109</Result><Products/><Applications/></Office></Software></GenuineResults>  
    
    Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002
    
    Licensing Data-->
    Versie van Software Licensing-service: 6.1.7601.17514
    
    Naam: Windows(R) 7, Professional edition
    Beschrijving: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, OEM_SLP channel
    Activerings-id: 50e329f7-a5fa-46b2-85fd-f224e5da7764
    Toepassings-id55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
    Uitgebreide PID: 00371-00178-926-700007-02-1033-7601.0000-0992014
    Installatie-id006882139185640332194436521073072531102842538625852080
    URL van processorcertificaat: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338
    URL van computercertificaat: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339
    URL van gebruikte licentie: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341
    URL van productcodecertificaat: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340
    Gedeeltelijke productcode: QB9CK
    Licentiestatus: licentie
    Resterend aantal nieuwe Windows-activeringen: 2
    Vertrouwde tijd: 17-1-2016 15:40:02
    
    Windows Activation Technologies-->
    HrOffline: 0x00000000
    HrOnline: 0x00000000
    HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000
    Event Time Stamp: 1:17:2016 03:56
    ActiveX: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
    Admin Service: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
    HealthStatus Bitmask Output:
    
    
    HWID Data-->
    HWID Hash Current: NAAAAAEAAQABAAEAAAABAAAABgABAAEAln24uSw6xpHaJ+zqluhgO6KvVvTsFS7h9KTI9g==
    
    OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
    N/A
    
    OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
    BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes
    Windows marker version: 0x20001
    OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes
    BIOS Information: 
      ACPI Table Name	OEMID Value	OEMTableID Value
      APIC			FUJ   		PC      
      FACP			FUJ   		PC      
      HPET			FUJ   		PC      
      MCFG			FUJ   		PC      
      SSDT			FUJ   		SataAhci
      SSDT			FUJ   		SataAhci
      SSDT			FUJ   		SataAhci
      SSDT			FUJ   		SataAhci
      SSDT			FUJ   		SataAhci
      UEFI			FUJ   		PC      
      TCPA			PTL		 CRESTLN
      MSDM			FUJ   		PC      
      ASF!			FUJ   		PC      
      UEFI			FUJ   		PC      
      FPDT			FUJ   		PC      
      SLIC			FUJ   		PC      
      UEFI			FUJ   		PC      
      SSDT			FUJ   		SataAhci
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 312
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 x64 (OEM)
       #8

    riddler said:
    the only key that I could retrieve is the OEM SLP key from the BIOS, could I use this key to re-install Windows 7 on the laptop?
    This may interest you:
    How can I install an SLP key?
    You cannot! SLP keys will NOT install on a standard installation of Windows using standard media (OEM, Retail, Upgrade, Technet/MSDN, etc. etc.) Additionally they may be locked to a particular OEM (ex. Dell.)
    The only way you will get a copy of Windows installed using an SLP key is with the original installation media from the OEM, which is usually an imaged based "installation" with all the bloatware on it - maybe except in the case of Dell, which typically will ship Dell branded standard Windows installation media with the SLP key embedded. Point being, you'll never need to know what an SLP key is, because you'll never have to enter one during an installation - if you were to be prompted for a key during install, then the SLP key isn't embedded, and guess what, it won't work anyway.

    Source: https://www.foolishit.com/tech-info/slp-product-keys/
    Please run MGADiag as per torchwood's instruction so we can verify if you have an OEM SLP or a COA SLP. What you need is the COA SLP for re-installation.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    @kathy025: thanks again!

    Your link to the FoolishIT-article pretty much explains it all. A re-install with an OEM SLP key is ruled out. It can only be done with the OEM COA key. That means if the COA sticker is missing, the only way to get the OEM COA key is via the registry of the current OS. Luckily the laptop does have the current OS installed. Hopefully the MGAdiag result will show it is genuine.

    So in that hypothetical case I mentioned (laptop with clean HD, no restore partition available to restore to factory partition, only OEM SLP key retrieved from BIOS) it means that I should either call the manufacturer of the laptop and hope they can provide installation media, or I should buy a new (I assume retail) license?

    I have posted the MGADiag-results just a few minutes before your last post
    Last edited by riddler; 17 Jan 2016 at 10:22. Reason: Amendments for further clarification.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #10

    With laptops sometimes the COA sticker is in the battery compartment, did you check there ?
      My Computer


 
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