Can't Re-Activate Windows after reformatting laptop, says invalid key.

Phen8210 · 28 Apr 2018

I reformatted my old lenovo laptop yesterday and installed windows 7 pro from a usb, when i tried to activate it says my key is invalid.
I have tried for hours..
I obtained the key from the sticker on the laptop battery, what should i do?

I noticed my product ID has changed tho.. i did not change any hardware other than reformatting the HDD..

torchwood · 28 Apr 2018

Hi Phen,

please run this tool, copy/paste the output
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=52012

note if the COA sticker was not for a pro version it will NOT activate

Roy

Paul Black · 01 May 2018

Hi Phen8210, welcome to Seven Forums,

Phen8210 said:

I obtained the key from the sticker on the laptop battery, what should I do?
I noticed my product ID has changed though. I did not change any hardware other than reformatting the HDD.

Did you do a clean install or a repair install?
Where did you get the Windows 7 USB from?
Did it say that it needed to be activated?

Like torchwood said, if the product key is for another version other than Professional then it will not accept the key you have got!

What version of Windows 7 were you using before the reinstall?

I hope this helps!