Windows 7 OEM – Applying OEM System Locked Preinstallation Activation

Code of Authenticity (CoA) and Windows (OEM) Sticker

Systems manufactured before 2012 were sold with a Windows 7 CoA. This contained the Edition of Windows 7 and a 25 Digit Product Key.

Systems sold after 2012 have the following sticker to identify that they have a Windows OEM License.

What is OEM System Locked Preinstallation?

Original Equipment Manufacturers like Dell preinstall Windows on millions of Devices. In order to avoid having to manually type an alpha-numeric 25 digit product key and calling Microsoft for Product Activation on every single computer they manufacture they activate their devices using a different mechanism called OEM System Locked Preinstallation (OEM SLP).

MSDM – Microsoft Digital Marker

For systems sold with Windows 8 OEM and Windows 10 OEM the 25 digit product key is not seen printed on a label but is embedded in the MSDM table of the UEFI BIOS. Windows 10 Installation Media downloadable from Microsoft will automatically input these product keys during installation and as it's multi-edition it will automatically select the correct Edition corresponding to the Windows Product Key. Although most people shouldn't need to, one can check if they have a MSDM by installing RWEverything. The ACPI tables should load by default (if not select Access → ACPI Tables).

SLIC – System License Internal Code

For Windows 7, the 25 digit product key was printed on a CoA but it is typically not used during Windows 7 Installation. Instead Windows 7 is activated from Factory using OEM System Locked Preinstallation. For Windows 7 OEM SLP three things are required:

  • The System has a SLIC Version of 2.1
  • The Installation Media Inputs:
    • A xrm-ms File.
    • A Generic OEM SLP Key (Generic for the OEM e.g. Dell and the Edition of Windows 7 e.g. Professional).

If all three requirements are satisfied OEM SLP is applied. Although most people shouldn't need to, one can check if they have a SLIC by installing RWEverything. The ACPI tables should load by default (if not select Access → ACPI Tables).

A SLIC Version of 1.0 is for Windows XP, a SLIC Version of 2.0 is for Windows Vista and a SLIC Version of 2.1 is for Windows 7. Systems shipped with Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows 10 Pro will have a SLIC Version of 2.1 in addition to the MDSM because they are eligible for OEM Downgrade Rights to Windows 7 Pro OEM.

Installation Media

  • Windows 10 (Version 1511 and Later)
    • Accepts Windows 10 MSDM
    • Accepts Windows 8.1 MSDM and Windows 8 MSDM
    • Accepts Windows 7 CoA Key
      • One Time Activation Use
      • System Motherboard Hardware Profile Registered with a Microsoft Product Activation Server No Key Required for Reinstall
    • Does Not Activate from a Clean Install using the SLIC
      • Upgrade Install from SLIC Works
      • Genuine Ticket Generated on Windows 7 Activated SLIC Works
  • Windows 7 OEM Media
    • Major OEM Media e.g. Dell Activates Using the OEM SLP
      • Has a sources\$OEM$\$$\system32\OEM folder which contains the OEM.xrm-ms file.
      • Has a sources\$OEM$\$$\setup\scripts folder which contains an OOBE script and SLP script.

The Out of the Box Experience (OOBE) script calls the System Locked Preinstallation Script (SLP) script. The SLP script has two lines the first line installs the OEM.xrm-ms file and the second line inputs the generic OEM SLP key. This is the key for Dell Windows 7 Professional.

This is the SLP script from a Dell unmodified Dell Windows 7 Professional Reinstallation ISO:

HTML

Windows 7 Retail Media or System Builder OEM Media does not contain an $OEM$ folder and will not apply OEM SLP and will instead ask for a Retail Product Key During Installation. This has caused a lot of confusion regarding OEM SLP.

Applying Windows 7 OEM SLP Using Retail Media

Retail Installation Media asks for a Product Key During Installation. We can uncheck "Automatically Activate Windows when I'm Online".

Post Installation we can apply the OEM System Locked Preinstallation. Download the following:

Extract, select your OEM and then Edition of Windows 7. Copy the OEM folder directly to the C:\Drive. Right click the SLP.cmd file and select run as administrator, this will apply OEM SLP as per the factory settings.

The slp.cmd script for Dell Windows 7 Professional is shown below. Note the OEM folder must be copied to the C:\ Drive directly so the script can find the OEM.xrm-ms file.

HTML

OEM SLP Key Collection – For Information Only

Many people on forums are instructed to use key finders to find their OEM Product Key and instead will find the OEM SLP key and fail to activate using it. These keys will only activate using OEM SLP, they do not activate using the activation methods of Retail Product Keys.

Note the first 5 digits of the Product ID listed below will differ corresponding to the language installed.

Dell/Alienware

EditionProduct IDOEM SLP Key
Windows 7 Starter xxxxx-OEM -8992707-00082 36Q3Y-BBT84-MGJ3H-FT7VD-FG72J
Windows 7 Home Basic xxxxx-OEM-8992752-50258
36T88-RT7C6-R38TQ-RV8M9-WWTCY
Windows 7 Home Premium xxxxx-OEM-8992687-00095 6RBBT-F8VPQ-QCPVQ-KHRB8-RMV82
Windows 7 Professional xxxxx-OEM-8992671-00524 32KD2-K9CTF-M3DJT-4J3WC-733WD
Windows 7 Ultimate xxxxx -OEM-8992662-00400 342DG-6YJR8-X92GV-V7DCV-P4K27
Windows Vista Home Basic xxxxx-OEM-7332166-00096 3YMR2-WMV49-4WD8X-M9WM7-CH4CG
Windows Vista Home Premium xxxxx-OEM-7332157-00204 4GPTT-6RYC4-F4GJK-KG77H-B9HD2
Windows Vista Business xxxxx-OEM-7332141-00054 368Y7-49YMQ-VRCTY-3V3RH-WRMG7
Windows Vista Ultimate xxxxx-OEM-7332132-00141 2QBP3-289MF-9364X-37XGX-24W6P
EditionProduct IDOEM SLP Key
Windows 7 Home Premium xxxxx-OEM-8992687-00008 V3Y2W-CMF9W-PGT9C-777KD-32W74
Windows 7 Professional xxxxx-OEM-8992671-00188 4CFBX-7HQ6R-3JYWF-72GXP-4MV6W
Windows 7 Ultimate xxxxx-OEM-8992662-00008
xxxxx-OEM-8992662-00120
4HMYB-6YHYT-TW2J6-FQBC3-6GBFW

Lenovo/IBM

Edition Product ID OEM SLP Key
Windows 7 Starterxxxxx-OEM-8992752-30169

xxxxx-OEM-8992702-00153
273P4-GQ8V6-97YYM-9YTHF-DC2VP

22P26-HD8YH-RD96C-28R8J-DCT28
Windows 7 Home Basicxxxxx-OEM-8992752-50213 22MFQ-HDH7V-RBV79-QMVK9-PTMXQ
Windows 7 Home Premium xxxxx-OEM-8992687-00249 27GBM-Y4QQC-JKHXW-D9W83-FJQKD
Windows 7 Professional xxxxx-OEM-8992671-00437

xxxxx-OEM-8992662-00537
237XB-GDJ7B-MV8MH-98QJM-24367

6K2KY-BFH24-PJW6W-9GK29-TMPWP
Windows 7 Ultimatexxxxx-OEM-8992662-00537 6K2KY-BFH24-PJW6W-9GK29-TMPWP

HP/Compaq

EditionProduct IDOEM SLP Key
Windows Vista Starterxxxxx-OEM-7332204-00603 223JH-DDMFR-3WBTR-H3V93-28JK8
Windows Vista Home Basicxxxxx-OEM-7332166-00021 2VX48-BVXT6-GD2PK-BD3R2-44MV3
Windows Vista Home Premium xxxxx-OEM-7332157-00174 HW7V9-XYT4W-PFR9Q-2DKGJ-RR4TD
Windows Vista Businessxxxxx-OEM-7332141-00039 2Q2WM-VCB98-8C6BG-C9BT2-3XDRY
Windows Vista Ultimatexxxxx-OEM-7332132-00015 23CM9-P7MYR-VFWRT-JGH7R-R933G
Windows 7 Starterxxxxx-OEM-8992752-30008 RH98C-M9PW4-6DHR7-X99PJ-3FGDB
Windows 7 Home Basicxxxxx-OEM-8992752-50008 DX8R9-BVCGB-PPKRR-8J7T4-TJHTH
Windows 7 Home Premiumxxxxx-OEM-8992687-00010 4FG99-BC3HD-73CQT-WMF7J-3Q6C9
Windows 7 Professionalxxxxx-OEM-8992671-00008 74T2M-DKDBC-788W3-H689G-6P6GT
Windows 7 Ultimatexxxxx-OEM-8992662-00010 MHFPT-8C8M2-V9488-FGM44-2C9T3

ASUS

EditionProduct IDOEM SLP Key
Windows 7 Starterxxxxx-OEM-8992752-30005 6K6WB-X73TD-KG794-FJYHG-YCJVG
Windows 7 Home Basicxxxxx-OEM-8992752-50005 89G97-VYHYT-Y6G8H-PJXV6-77GQM
Windows 7 Home Premiumxxxxx-OEM-8992687-00007

xxxxx-OEM-8992687-00118
2QDBX-9T8HR-2QWT6-HCQXJ-9YQTR

7JQWQ-K6KWQ-BJD6C-K3YVH-DVQJG
Windows 7 Professionalxxxxx-OEM-8992671-00407 2WCJK-R8B4Y-CWRF2-TRJKB-PV9HW
Windows 7 Ultimatexxxxx-OEM-8992662-00173 2Y4WT-DHTBF-Q6MMK-KYK6X-VKM6G

Acer/Gateway/Packard

EditionProduct IDOEM SLP Key
Windows 7 Starterxxxxx-OEM-8992752-30004RDJXR-3M32B-FJT32-QMPGB-GCFF6
Windows 7 Home Basicxxxxx-OEM-8992752-50004  MB4HF-2Q8V3-W88WR-K7287-2H4CP
Windows 7 Home Premiumxxxxx-OEM-8992687-00006  VQB3X-Q3KP8-WJ2H8-R6B6D-7QJB7
Windows 7 Professionalxxxxx-OEM-8992671-00004  YKHFT-KW986-GK4PY-FDWYH-7TP9F
Windows 7 Ultimatexxxxx-OEM-8992662-00006  FJGCP-4DFJD-GJY49-VJBQ7-HYRR2

Samsung

EditionProduct IDOEM SLP Key
Windows 7 Starterxxxxx-OEM-8992752-30013 PV9BD-YBRX6-CTMG6-CCMJY-X8XG7
Windows 7 Home Basicxxxxx-OEM-8992752-50013 2P6PB-G7YVY-W46VJ-BXJ36-PGGTG
Windows 7 Home Premiumxxxxx-OEM-8992687-00015 CQBVJ-9J697-PWB9R-4K7W4-2BT4J
Windows 7 Professionalxxxxx-OEM-8992671-00013 GMJQF-JC7VC-76HMH-M4RKY-V4HX6
Windows 7 Ultimatexxxxx-OEM-8992662-0001549PB6-6BJ6Y-KHGCQ-7DDY6-TF7CD

Sony

EditionProduct IDOEM SLP Key
Windows 7 Starterxxxxx-OEM-8992707-00016 32J2V-TGQCY-9QJXP-Q3FVT-X8BQ
Windows 7 Home Basicxxxxx-OEM-8992752-50014 YV7QQ-RCXQ9-KTBHC-YX3FG-FKRW8
Windows 7 Home Premiumxxxxx-OEM-8992687-00016 H4JWX-WHKWT-VGV87-C7XPK-CGKHQ
Windows 7 Professionalxxxxx-OEM-8992671-00014 H9M26-6BXJP-XXFCY-7BR4V-24X8
Windows 7 Ultimatexxxxx-OEM-8992662-00016 YJJYR-666KV-8T4YH-KM9TB-4PY2W

Toshiba

EditionProduct IDOEM SLP Key
Windows 7 Starterxxxxx-OEM-8992752-30015 TGBKB-9KBGJ-3Y3J6-K8M2F-J2HJQ
Windows 7 Home Basicxxxxx-OEM-8992752-50015 9H4FH-VD69Y-TGBD2-4PM4K-DRMMH
Windows 7 Home Premiumxxxxx-OEM-8992687-00057

xxxxx-OEM-8992687-00017
6B88K-KCCWY-4F8HK-M4P73-W8DQG

6GF36-P4HWR-BFF84-6GFC2-BWX77
Windows 7 Professionalxxxxx-OEM-8992671-00137

xxxxx-OEM-8992671-00015
2V8P2-QKJWM-4THM3-74PDB-4P2KH

W2PMW-T7DBH-YHKRM-DXXF6-KP4KT
Windows 7 Ultimatexxxxx-OEM-8992662-00459 2XQ63-J3P67-9G3JC-FHQ68-8Q2F3

MSI

EditionProduct IDOEM SLP Key
Windows 7 Starterxxxxx-OEM-8992707-00121

xxxxx-OEM-8992752-30271
2W4DJ-JFFJV-DMCPP-2C3X8-883DP

2YKPV-BFXFW-X8GJQ-9KQFF-KCXGD
Windows 7 Home Basicxxxxx-OEM-8992752-50179 2TY7W-H4DD4-MB62F-BD9C3-88TM6
Windows 7 Home Premiumxxxxx-OEM-8992687-00246 4G3GR-J6JDJ-D96PV-T9B9D-M8X2Q
Windows 7 Professionalxxxxx-OEM-8992671-00503 2W3CX-YD4YJ-DF9B2-V27M6-77GMF

Fujitsu

EditionProduct IDOEM SLP Key
Windows 7 Starterxxxxx-OEM-8992752-30007  PMXH9-M23P9-QJJMB-2FWRC-7CDKP
Windows 7 Home Basicxxxxx-OEM-8992752-50007 8W3JQ-BP2HY-F47QX-6CQ94-2BKQB
Windows 7 Home Premiumxxxxx-OEM-8992687-00009 C6MHH-TRRPT-74TDC-FHRMV-XB88W
Windows 7 Professionalxxxxx-OEM-8992671-00007 PT9YK-BC2J9-WWYF9-R9DCR-QB9CK
Windows 7 Ultimatexxxxx-OEM-8992662-00009 9CW99-79BBF-D4M3X-9BK9M-4RPH9

This is a legacy guide. 

Activation Backup and Recovery Program

As ABR only applies OEM System Locked Preinstallation it will only work on eligible systems. If the cert file and OEM SLP key is used on an illegal system you will be given 9 days to input a valid product key.

This tool is useful if there is a product activation issue and Dell/HP OEM SLP needs to be reapplied without reinstallation or if one has a Retail Installation DVD.

Download Links and System Locked Preinstallation Keys

Most major OEMs are supported with this collection:

  • Alienware/Dell
  • Lenovo/IBM
  • HP/Compaq
  • ASUS
  • Acer
  • Samsung
  • Sony
  • Toshiba
  • MSI
  • Fujitsu

These were obtained from here which covers a few more less common major OEMs.

Restore

Download ABRbeta (Windows 7) and the Activation Files.

The following steps may look a bit more complicated than they actually are. Essentially all you are doing is extracting two folders. One has two programs activation_backup.exe and activation_restore.exe. The cert and product key files must be copied to this extracted folder so the activation_restore.exe can be launched.

Extraction

Right click the "Dell/HP ABR Activation Files Vista and 7" and select extract all.

1

Opt for the extracted files to be in downloads.

2abr

Select to open the folder and snap it to the right. Next snap downloads to the left. Extract ABRbeta.exe (Windows 7) or ABR.exe (Windows Vista) by double clicking it.

3abr

Accept the warnings to run it

4abr

Again select the default location of downloads and select extract

5abr

You will now have a folder called ABR, open it to the left and open the ABR activation files to the right.

6abr

Activation-Restore.exe

Select your version of Windows.

7abr

I will use Professional as an example. Move the backup-cert.XrML and backup-key.txt file to the ABR folder.

8abr

Once these files are copied across run activation-restore.exe by double clicking it and accept any user-account control. It will input the Major OEM SLP key from the backup-key.txt and use this with the backup-cert.XrML to activate Windows Vista or Windows 7.

Note: You may be prompted to continue press [y] and [enter] if asked (usually you are asked this only if you entered a product key during installation which was not recommended).

abrfull

Product Activation Check

Restart your computer and check your activation status by pressing [Windows] and [Pause|Break]. Windows 7 should be activated in the exact same manner as the OEM factory install.

windowsactivated

The rest of this guide is just additional information… and won't be required in most cases…

Backup

In the rare cases where the Cert file is not downloadable or you wish to backup your own one.

Check to see if your computer is running an OEM license by looking at the product ID in System Properties (press [Windows] and [Pause|Break]:

windowsactivated

Look at your Product ID; the product ID of a major Windows 7 OEM license with OEM SLP will have the form of xxxxx-OEM-899xxxx-xxxxx and for a major Windows Vista OEM license the SLP will have the form xxxxx-OEM-733xxxx-xxxxx. The ABR backup will not work for a system without such a product ID.

Download ABRbeta (Windows 7) or ABR (Windows Vista). Extract ABRbeta.exe (Windows 7) or ABR.exe (Windows Vista) by double clicking it.

3abr

Accept the warnings to run it

4abr

Select the default location to extract.

5abr

This will extract to an ABR folder, open it.

6abr

Launch the activation_backup.exe

abrbackupfull

Accept any UAC prompts, you will now have a backup-cert.XrML file and backup-key.txt file created.

abrbackupfull2Copy the ABR Folder to a safe place for later use. These can be used later to restore your OEM product activation.

If you have the cert file for any OEM thats not Dell or HP you may add the files to a zip file and save this to OneDrive and share it in the comments section. It can help other users with Vista or 7 from your OEM which wish to clean install and whose hard drive or installation has failed and have no recovery media.

Ineligible System Example Test

This is just a demonstration to show that the Activation Backup Recovery program or Dell Windows 7 Reinstallation DVD won’t work on ineligible systems.

A Dell Latitude D820 was used with an Vista Business COA in this test. It has a genuine Windows 7 Upgrade license and was later activated using it.

This system was only sold by Dell with Windows XP and Windows Vista, hence the latest BIOS revision only has markers for Windows XP and Windows Vista. If one tries installing with a Dell Windows 7 Professional Reinstallation DVD or using the ABR files for Windows 7 which mimic the activation mechanism of the Reinstallation DVD on this system, Windows 7 will not activate. Instead you will get a 9 days until automatic activation as shown below.

abrbad1

When you click to activate now you will be unable to activate with the Dell SLP key and will be prompted to enter another product key. After 9 days you will get:

abrbad2

System Locked Preinstalaltion Key and Product ID List

STARTER (OEM-8992752 & OEM-8992707)

RDJXR-3M32B-FJT32-QMPGB-GCFF6  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30004 ACER/GATEWAY/PACKARD
6K6WB-X73TD-KG794-FJYHG-YCJVG  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30005  ASUS (Eee)
6PB94-MC2C6-4F37H-KTJ32-PF2PT  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00097  CASPERERA
BB2KM-PDWW3-99H7J-F7B9R-FXKF6  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00010  COMPAQ/HP
4FQRW-9R6H7-6P49K-2QKW6-WVK46  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00222  CREA
36Q3Y-BBT84-MGJ3H-FT7VD-FG72J  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00082  DELL
BHP4B-MXP9G-RG7KQ-T8R84-CW3D3  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00232  EXCIMER
4FRH4-WQDGJ-M9HRY-K73D8-RGT3C  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00228  EXPER
PMXH9-M23P9-QJJMB-2FWRC-7CDKP  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30007  FUJITSU
BRFCY-XMXRV-28JHQ-F6D9B-BV73C  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30198  HANNSPREE
RH98C-M9PW4-6DHR7-X99PJ-3FGDB  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30008  HP/COMPAQ
6KTVJ-RY667-X3Q9J-26MXJ-KKWT8  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00133  KSYSTEMS-IRBIS
273P4-GQ8V6-97YYM-9YTHF-DC2VP  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30169  LENOVO/IBM
22P26-HD8YH-RD96C-28R8J-DCT28  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00153  LENOVO/IBM
2V3W2-JXTTR-28RD8-R228D-KR69C  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30099  LG
2K8WH-JVQDM-C9HVC-YR2XC-8M76G  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30065  MEDION
2W4DJ-JFFJV-DMCPP-2C3X8-883DP  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00121  MSI
2YKPV-BFXFW-X8GJQ-9KQFF-KCXGD  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30271  MSI
2XGHP-9TQK2-8CF28-BM2P2-8FRX8  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30269  NOKIA
4BBMG-9W3GV-W48DD-KX6MB-XMMMK  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00174  OEGSTONE
344HQ-3YHDT-C7VCT-BDPBV-4KTR3  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00192  OLIDATA
PV9BD-YBRX6-CTMG6-CCMJY-X8XG7  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30013  SAMSUNG
32J2V-TGQCY-9QJXP-Q3FVT-X8BQ7  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00016  SONY
6RVFM-RTMTJ-4DGWV-TXTQW-7GFFB  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30173  TAROX
TGBKB-9KBGJ-3Y3J6-K8M2F-J2HJQ  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30015  TOSHIBA
6TQ9G-QB2WK-FM2TB-CKBDP-9D6HM  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30215  VIEWSONIC
7W842-2HCPJ-BC3MJ-B79K6-TD2HQ  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30214  VILIV
6JPKB-P8D84-6DT8D-P2QHB-QMKP9  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30069  ZOOSTORM
6CYKC-TDDYQ-K4B6G-HQD89-CWDP3  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00169  ?????
4HGWK-KHT8C-J2KCF-F3PVF-44PD4  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00172  ?????
32TF3-PT6YV-V6GCK-RR8GM-VM4QG  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00180  ?????
6HKDD-HMKWQ-74YC4-2B8C3-MPG6R  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00303  ?????
CPWRQ-6XR63-4VK76-2FGT3-8BC3R  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00291  ?????/PHILCO
BJ4TC-8D6GG-V7DDW-23QGM-WXQJQ  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30056  ?????
2VK6K-VRCTY-7CBJ6-P32JW-27PXY  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00057  ?????
49XPC-DRPCY-QW32T-DDYYR-4CJQ2  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00139  ?????
8YTY6-YV62C-WKCW3-4FDKT-PMCFD  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00281  ?????
2XVCK-7B4HM-367Q8-6QMKT-V3MCK  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00181  ?????
3W64W-XQBKP-H7YMF-BV22K-42YTC  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00140  ?????
9GX2X-9J693-9R6DC-KXY6H-W6FCV  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00065  ?????
BH7P7-V47R7-WX48V-JDKFF-KTM8R  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30260  ?????
BBR9D-7GDDG-TWPWM-7V3JM-DBVJY  XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00226  ?????
BVR93-YDCDW-2KP6F-F22W9-M22TH  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-30134  ?????

HOME BASIC (OEM-8992752)

MB4HF-2Q8V3-W88WR-K7287-2H4CP  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50004  ACER/GATEWAY/PACKARD
89G97-VYHYT-Y6G8H-PJXV6-77GQM  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50005  ASUS
6M78P-JJRQP-9C4RX-RPK7G-3VTH3  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50273  DEALIN
36T88-RT7C6-R38TQ-RV8M9-WWTCY  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50258  DELL
BDGFF-3P2D4-YVV7H-BXD2T-9JKJJ  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50208  EXCIMER
7WGMV-QFYXX-64DCG-HQFWM-DWGKY  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50100  FOUNDER
8W3JQ-BP2HY-F47QX-6CQ94-2BKQB  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50007  FUJITSU
2Q4QP-8P4MD-47YBP-7TXX9-FKDRM  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50229  HCL
DX8R9-BVCGB-PPKRR-8J7T4-TJHTH  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50008  HP
239PK-QV6BM-6BX3V-KH2BD-R3VTY  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50065  ITAUTEC
2YB9V-B4R3R-D8Y6R-CB7DB-J6YY7  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50267  KRAFTWAY
82P6X-KGH24-FCPXC-XQKC9-74KC8  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50059  KSystems
22MFQ-HDH7V-RBV79-QMVK9-PTMXQ  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50213  LENOVO/IBM
2TY7W-H4DD4-MB62F-BD9C3-88TM6  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50179  MSI
6DG93-2G6YJ-VHRX8-3YRWX-K4HWP  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50073  OEGSTONE
4FW6G-J7FR9-MHWGW-JDXP6-QQH89  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50092  POSITIVO
2P6PB-G7YVY-W46VJ-BXJ36-PGGTG  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50013  SAMSUNG
YV7QQ-RCXQ9-KTBHC-YX3FG-FKRW8  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50014  SONY
9DBMT-GXRWM-6Q9Y3-WMYM8-FJCBW  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50165  TONGFANG
9H4FH-VD69Y-TGBD2-4PM4K-DRMMH  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50015  TOSHIBA
72CBX-694QK-D6RBG-8CXQB-PV899  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50182  ?????
84HQ6-KHBG8-4GK2Y-QD82Y-HKX94  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50191  ?????
34GHT-J3WC3-XG8R2-H7JCF-GG6H9  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50214  ?????
7Q2DF-C4FJJ-VM98J-VB2X7-VK3Y9  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50082  ?????
BHB7Q-R2KDK-YY2VY-T3H4M-2HM4B  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50076  ?????
2726G-HMJ7V-JC2Y7-94KYY-HTYJR  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50157  ?????
CYWJJ-QVG7J-GJDFP-TWGPM-29TTF  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50099  ?????
2TWK7-TRCX8-K29CY-8CMVM-G2Y7M  XXXXX-OEM-8992752-50127  ?????

HOME PREM (OEM-8992687)

VQB3X-Q3KP8-WJ2H8-R6B6D-7QJB7  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00006  ACER/GATEWAY/PACKARD
38JTJ-VBPFW-XFQDR-PJ794-8447M  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00304  ADVENT
V3Y2W-CMF9W-PGT9C-777KD-32W74  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00008  ALIENWARE
2QDBX-9T8HR-2QWT6-HCQXJ-9YQTR  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00007  ASUS
7JQWQ-K6KWQ-BJD6C-K3YVH-DVQJG  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00118  ASUS (Eee)
8YDX9-B7MMG-82XD9-V88G9-MR92T  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00063  DEALIN
6RBBT-F8VPQ-QCPVQ-KHRB8-RMV82  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00095  DELL
83K3W-QH8JT-T7KBY-9FQB6-V9R8H  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00191  DELL
GRDX4-HGYJQ-CWJ6B-3HVT2-YKRG4  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00217  EXO
C6MHH-TRRPT-74TDC-FHRMV-XB88W  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00009  FUJITSU
2V36J-4RK8B-GW27Q-4DXPG-RQP78  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00243  GENUINE C&C
3743C-T6892-B4PHM-JHFKY-4BB7W  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00202  GIGABYTE
39QDH-D7MHH-WDMTD-TM2R9-KM7DB  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00258  HCL
4FG99-BC3HD-73CQT-WMF7J-3Q6C9  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00010  HP
P434X-9H862-PTK88-YGH82-G3THD  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00201  Impression Computers
6H6K2-Y6CVC-PR6BK-WQ2WP-TJVJ9  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00265  KRAFTWAY
27GBM-Y4QQC-JKHXW-D9W83-FJQKD  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00249  LENOVO/IBM
38GRR-KMG3D-BTP99-TC9G4-BBDJJ  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00174  LG
BHJWK-9K4HP-M9DQ2-XX3DR-CJFMR  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00262  MAXDATA/QUANMAX/CHILIGREEN
2P2P9-CM3F8-FTV6P-PC7CX-8TFF7  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00093  MEDION
4G3GR-J6JDJ-D96PV-T9B9D-M8X2Q  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00246  MSI
86DTG-C7PDC-JDHKH-PGDM7-V9FVY  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00199  OEGSTONE
6WMCP-JJHVF-GK796-9JB9X-BFX3R  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00279  ONKYO
J84PD-BHP6K-FCHBJ-7PHWD-76MXK  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00239  PARADIGIT
2XPWB-Q64BJ-W8CT3-WJTWT-4DQ99  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00267  POSITIVO
CQBVJ-9J697-PWB9R-4K7W4-2BT4J  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00015  SAMSUNG
C3V4C-6Y6WM-DGRM9-QJG82-8K3FP  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00211  SHUTTLE
HWDFB-YVFG4-3TJ7F-Q3WMT-7B6PH  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00138  SIRAGON
H4JWX-WHKWT-VGV87-C7XPK-CGKHQ  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00016  SONY
BWHCT-BWJPG-H9PV3-4V4WT-9978X  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00200  TAROX
6B88K-KCCWY-4F8HK-M4P73-W8DQG  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00057  TOSHIBA
6GF36-P4HWR-BFF84-6GFC2-BWX77  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00017  TOSHIBA
C23T3-9F2T2-FPWBM-XYMW2-272J9  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00143  VIEWSONIC
83BJB-QKYF3-H9K4M-DV32X-8X2XD  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00261  ZT Systems
TTJQ7-4PFJC-6JFJ8-B22VD-VXW88  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00013  ?????
GFDW7-7T4B9-VB8W7-TTHRM-JG2KB  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00079  ?????
CPF7K-XP3YV-JVHHF-YMMRD-Y4Y9K  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00135  ?????
7K377-DVP2Q-YGWJG-3M3G7-RBCDP  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00194  ?????
BD8CB-7Q28H-B8KQR-MDCVP-42XP8  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00210  ?????
BVQFP-FKQGV-J82F3-2JTVV-733D2  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00236  ????? / ZOOSTORM ?
76QPJ-99DMC-MW43P-8JKHY-6YMRQ  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00280  ?????
3XCH4-KCYHJ-FFFVX-9P87K-RG7QP  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00276  ?????
HT89B-V9F8T-TJQP6-7DB4P-WYPY9  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00248  ?????
H3XR7-PH8M6-2BYCP-HKCMM-MCQJM  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00140  ?????
7MJXM-FTDGX-7VJF7-7D287-P792Y  XXXXX-OEM-8992687-00100  ?????

PROFESSIONAL (OEM-8992671)

YKHFT-KW986-GK4PY-FDWYH-7TP9F  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00004  ACER/GATEWAY/PACKARD
4CFBX-7HQ6R-3JYWF-72GXP-4MV6W  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00188  ALIENWARE
2WCJK-R8B4Y-CWRF2-TRJKB-PV9HW  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00407  ASUS
4872B-B4R7J-QWCFR-YH962-RGDRW  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-74871  BGH eNova
D8VYT-828P6-7V77D-P8VV7-CHC4M  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00440  CCE INFO
6BJ27-DVBFF-VKQC8-7JPQP-TJKYY  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00215  DEALIN
32KD2-K9CTF-M3DJT-4J3WC-733WD  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00524  DELL
PT9YK-BC2J9-WWYF9-R9DCR-QB9CK  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00007  FUJITSU
2QTV2-3CMPP-FQBYK-GRD62-D7XMW  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00501  HCL
74T2M-DKDBC-788W3-H689G-6P6GT  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00008  HP
32HPJ-4XRDR-424C8-DYQM9-GM768  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00158  KRAFTWAY
237XB-GDJ7B-MV8MH-98QJM-24367  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00437  LENOVO/IBM
2QGXM-V9W9W-6Q7MR-64C4X-R26CV  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00207  LG ?
4FXT2-THHQK-B7293-VYHKX-3DRPD  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00270  OEGSTONE
84TBR-V3TCM-DC73Q-TDRQ7-WHPJ4  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00183  MAXDATA/QUANMAX/CHILIGREEN
2WGY7-J3JQT-78CF9-J6DHQ-DJTQW  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00187  MECER
2W3CX-YD4YJ-DF9B2-V27M6-77GMF  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00503  MSI
2RGBP-GKB4B-BGF4Y-8H6XF-WWPJD  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00467  PANASONIC
GMJQF-JC7VC-76HMH-M4RKY-V4HX6  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00013  SAMSUNG
H9M26-6BXJP-XXFCY-7BR4V-24X8J  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00014  SONY
7RQGM-4BJBD-GM2YY-R2KTT-43HG8  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00282  STEG
72X79-RQPFF-YGK82-7FF8M-PX4XB  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00110  TAROX
2V8P2-QKJWM-4THM3-74PDB-4P2KH  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00137  TOSHIBA
W2PMW-T7DBH-YHKRM-DXXF6-KP4KT  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00015  TOSHIBA
6JKVQ-WJTWW-JVPRB-77TGD-2DV7M  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00339  WORTMANN
H8KMB-DPB9M-P3RYK-7JCGW-X97C3  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00198  XPLORE
BV4Y4-DVXDT-3FC64-X2QR7-DW82M  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00468  ?????
6FWJ7-TDRCV-BYTP3-JWB98-9J64J  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00211  ?????
862R9-99CD6-DD6WM-GHDG2-Y8M37  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00205  ?????
7QY32-TQCBJ-G7MC8-Y4PGF-7TGB8  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00284  ?????
36KXM-JVMP6-88WMK-YCCGV-YFDVX  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00230  ?????
CRYGF-JG347-QPJKH-BR82M-3MQP3  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00101  ?????
7MB39-TFBVT-9KJKK-6G7H4-66Y7W  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00098  ?????
6HKBJ-JJ8DR-HJGMM-4CXWP-HTVCH  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00155  ?????
24437-XVJQQ-F36R3-7HM2B-RXTCX  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00433  ?????
9FY83-9H2MW-983JB-6VGKY-6KVQV  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00011  ?????
9CQKK-KR6BD-PRF8P-CXP6X-YW7YT  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00595  ?????
BPM2T-G28MM-DYPRD-CDFQB-JG89V  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00254  ?????
38TCQ-GQKDQ-7GF72-2HY97-6B2Y6  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00448  ?????
BCM2T-PC84R-R6GTX-MQ2RP-H3XTF  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00268  ?????
2KH22-2H9QT-YG6WX-8X6Q8-Y89K4  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00105  ?????
FBTRK-D394V-87QR3-K4BQM-FM6R6  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00252  ?????
2XGJT-GV4QG-QBHPB-D6DBW-DTW9Q  XXXXX-OEM-8992671-00097  MITAC

ULTIMATE (OEM-8992662)

FJGCP-4DFJD-GJY49-VJBQ7-HYRR2  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00006  ACER/GATEWAY/PACKARD
VQ3PY-VRX6D-CBG4J-8C6R2-TCVBD  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00008  ALIENWARE
4HMYB-6YHYT-TW2J6-FQBC3-6GBFW  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00120  ALIENWARE
2Y4WT-DHTBF-Q6MMK-KYK6X-VKM6G  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00173  ASUS
342DG-6YJR8-X92GV-V7DCV-P4K27  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00400  DELL
9CW99-79BBF-D4M3X-9BK9M-4RPH9  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00009  FUJITSU
MHFPT-8C8M2-V9488-FGM44-2C9T3  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00010  HP
6K2KY-BFH24-PJW6W-9GK29-TMPWP  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00537  LENOVO/IBM
76MTG-QMQJQ-46DQR-CHRBB-7K3HD  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00194  OEGSTONE
49PB6-6BJ6Y-KHGCQ-7DDY6-TF7CD  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00015  SAMSUNG
YJJYR-666KV-8T4YH-KM9TB-4PY2W  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00016  SONY
4BRY2-6W9VH-9CM6R-GPKRY-HHVCY  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00556  TAROX
2XQ63-J3P67-9G3JC-FHQ68-8Q2F3  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00459  TOSHIBA
2WX6M-X2HKM-86X8X-2QD44-F3FGJ  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00481  ?????
78FPJ-C8Q77-QV7B8-9MH3V-XXBTK  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00366  ?????
9D4JH-GPGMP-CTQYB-XM74F-2CTYY  XXXXX-OEM-8992662-00267  ?????

57 thoughts on “Windows 7 OEM – Applying OEM System Locked Preinstallation Activation

  1. Hi,
    Have downloaded the Win7 Ultimate SP1 and did all what you said here. Once I start the installation in a new HDD of my Inspiron M5040 an error come up saying:

    Have tried to find a driver for the HDD in DELL support site but the one available driver is not working. Tried the HDD site, not luck.

    Any suggestions as to how resolve this?

    Thanks!

  2. You're right. I made the error entry in caps and was deleted by the blog. Anyways, what the error say is: No drivers available, etc…This is a brand new Hitachi HDD with the new Advance Format system file.

    1. M5040 is an AMD system and not an Intel one. I am less experienced with AMD than Intel systems as I prefer Intel. According to WD you shouldn't need a driver for AMD:
      http://www.wdc.com/global/products/features/?id=7&language=1

      Obviously you are finding that you do. Its the AMD A50M Chipset family so you need the AMD AHCI drivers.
      They might be obtained within the Chipset driver listed by Dell R313347. Once extracted with 7zip there is a folder called packages and within it a folder called drivers. I would try selecting this folder to load during the Windows setup. However I am not sure if the Dell driver will cover an AF HDD so I would go for the one direct from AMD:
      http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/chipset?os=Windows

      Try the top one. Once extracted with 7zip select the drivers folder:
      13-4_vista_win7_win8_32-64_sb\$_OUTDIR\Packages\Drivers

  3. I have completed a hardware upgrade on a Dimension E510 and purchased a Dell reinstallation DVD for Windows 7 Pro. The installation went fast and smooth but the Product Activation Code I've purchased from a noted online software retailer is not working. I wrote them and they sent a second PAC which did not work either. I'm a bit confused right now about the article above but is it possible that I need to buy the PAC from Dell to activate the copy of W7 Pro or will the procedures outlined in your article above work for me?

    Thanks for your answer.

    1. Neither the Reinstallation DVD or the ABR program (which mimics the activation mechanism of the Reinstallation DVD) will work on your system.

      The Dimension 5100 was sold by Dell with only Windows XP and maybe in some cases Windows Vista. Thus Dell have only placed the markers for Windows XP and possibly Windows Vista in the system BIOS. They have not placed the Windows 7 markers in the BIOS and the activation mechanism will therefore sees an invalid BIOS and hence will not activate. See notes on ineligible systems:
      http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/microsoft-product-activation/the-activation-backup-and-recovery-program-windows-vista-7-version/#Ineligible

      A retail license should activate directly. See here for details describing the differences between OEM and Retail:
      http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/the-oem-or-retail-license/

      In your case you have purchased a Reinstallation DVD and a COA so phone activation may work:
      http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/microsoft-product-activation/phone-activation-windows-vista-7/
      In reality a Dell Windows 7 COA should not be sold separately from a Dell system so it is also possible you were sold a non-genuine license. Theres lots of piracy of fake Windows 7 COAs and for these reasons COAs are removed in Windows 8 and later. The system builder OEM license is usually just Microsoft branded.

      1. Thanks. This is pretty frustrating since I had upgraded my wife's PC at her office which was from the same era as this one but was of the OptiPlex variety, I think. The cases were shaped the same except my wife's was taller. It runs W7 with no problems at all and validated itself. The little E510, so far, runs W7 just fine, too.

        The PAC was purchased from buycheapsoftware.com, not one of those on ebay that I looked at prior to the purchase and didn't trust in the slightest. I can't see them selling fake licenses but they may not know about the markers you speak of.

        So phone activation through Microsoft is the only possible way you see to activation? Your link above points to a page that is no longer there but it is one of the options available after the activation attempts I've made have failed.

        Thanks again.

      2. Sorry I updated that link, it should work:
        http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/microsoft-product-activation/phone-activation-windows-vista-7/
        If your wifes was an OptiPlex 760, Dell sold it with Windows 7 so the latest BIOS does have the markers for Windows 7 Dell OEM activation. The OptiPlex 745 and 755 do not similar to the Dimension E510.

        I would be very cautious of buying software like this:
        http://www.buycheapsoftware.com/details~productID~5975.asp

        "When buying Microsoft software as a digital download, we recommend that you avoid auction sites and peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing sites. At the moment there are a limited number of sites where you can legally purchase digital downloads of Microsoft software. One example is the online Microsoft Store, where you can buy a wide variety of genuine software and hardware directly from Microsoft (in select markets). Additionally, you can purchase a digital download of Windows at http://www.windows.com/shop.
        With the exception of Product Key Cards distributed with Certificates of Authenticity (COA’s), Microsoft does not distribute products keys as standalone products. If you see a listing on an auction site, online classified ad, or other online page advertising product keys, it’s a good indication that these keys are likely stolen or counterfeit."
        http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/howtotell/Software.aspx

        i.e. Microsoft don't simply allow giving out of product keys via telephone.

  4. We were in town today and I looked at my wife's old computer again and it's actually a Dimension 9200.

    The PAC I bought for the E510 was this one:
    http://www.buycheapsoftware.com/details.asp?productID=5748. They've been around for a long time and we've purchased a lot of software from them personally as well as for my wife's office an the plaice I used to work as well. The PAC was sent via e-mail and they attached this to the reply I got when I asked them the first time about the first PAC not working:

    Product Key : XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-RJ3PX (my X's)
    Validity : Valid
    Product ID : XXXXX-OEM-9309671-17961
    Activation ID : da22eadd-46dc-4056-a287-f5041c852470
    Edition Type : Professional
    Description : Windows 7 Professional OEM:COA
    Edition ID : X15-37341
    Key Type : OEM:COA
    Crypto ID : 186

    I've finally arrived at a point where I can try the phone activation. If it doesn't work I guess I'm just out of luck on the upgrades and whatever. Just hope I can get my money back on the W7 Pro license.

    Thanks again.

  5. I can't believe it! Using the phone activation procedure the activation was a success! Did it override the BIOS markers or something?

    1. The BIOS SLP activation is the main activation mechanism of the Dell Reinstallation DVD. Inputting the unique 25 digit product key on the COA and activating by phone is a secondary activation mechanism usually reserved to the rare cases when the SLP mechanism doesn't work. You should be fine provided that site doesn't sell the same PAC to multiple customers.- I'm still not sure if its a legitimate license you have and have reported the site to Microsoft Support.

  6. Fine by me. I KNOW there's quite a few that need to be reported on Ebay.
    When starting the phone activation procedure how is the, I think, 36 digit code that you read off to Microsoft derived? Does it come from the PAC I tried to use to activate it or the embedded OEM PAC that was not working to begin with?

  7. Philip – great site. Thank you for putting this together.

    Unfortunately I am stuck. I feel like I have been going in circles trying to activate Windows 7 on this Machine.

    Inspiron 545s Desktop came with Vista Home Premium with a free Upgrade to Windows 7. This worked well for years. After heavy use I was advised to reinstall Windows.

    I have gone through reinstalling several times and always find Windows 7 needs to be activated with a product key. No product key given with the Dell upgrade disks. I am back at this same spot now.

    I installed Vista first which showed as authentic and activated. Then I used the Dell upgrade disks that were provided originally to upgrade, then installed all of the Windows updates. The machine is working great. But I am stuck with 29 days left and I can not figure out how to activate. I am going nuts. I considered staying with Vista but cant use Office 365, ++

    Can you point me in the right direction?

    1. If you have BIOS A12 and it still doesn't activate then Dell hasn't added the SLP activation mechanism to this machine. Usually if Dell have Windows 7 drivers the latest BIOS should work with the Dell Windows 7 SLP activation.

      Upgrade discs should have came with a retail upgrade product key.

  8. Hi Philip,

    I have a Dell latitude laptop on which I fully erased the Windows 7 with an Arch Linux for two years.

    I now want to switch back to Windows 7 but I have nothing backed up from the original Dell install. I also could have flashed the BIOS before even if I don't remember doing it (does it erase the OEM license?).
    Do you think it could be a problem for reactivation? Should I prefer the dell installation media over the retail one when following your "clean install of windows" guide?

    By the way, thanks for these awesome guides.

    1. The Dell Windows Reinstallation DVD applies the Activation Mechanism automatically. For retail media you need to use the ABR program to apply the same activation.

      The ABR program will work on any Dell BIOS which came with a system shipped by Dell with Windows 7 (including any legitimately updated Dell BIOS). It'll also work on any Dell systems shipped with Windows 8.0/8.1 Professional.

      You should have no problems using either for activation.

  9. How will this work on Dell Vostro 220s factory installed VBus OEM COA label with downgraded rights to XP Pro? Never obtained Dell's FREE Win 7 Pro upgrade disk…..

    huskyone

    1. For that model, Dell never released Windows 7 drivers which is why I made an unofficial set:
      http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/driver-sets/vostro-desktops/vostro-220s-windows-7-64-bit/
      This means the latest BIOS for that model only has markers to accept the Dell Windows Vista Business SLP key and Windows XP Professional SLP key. i.e. was not upgraded to have Windows 7 Professional markers so a Dell Windows 7 Professional Reinstallation DVD or the ABR program with Dell cert files on a Windows 7 Professional install will be rejected and hence fail to activate.

      If you want to run Windows 7 on it you will need a retail license (these are quite pricey as Windows 7 has stopped being sold). It will work with the Windows Vista Business.

      My advice is to install Windows 10 Technical Preview and use it to evaluate Windows 10 64 Bit until its finally released. At which point you should be able to purchase Windows 10 at a promotional price.

      1. Thank you Philip. I have purchased a Win 7 Pro OEM from BestBuys. I will try to activate the OS with that OEM Disk Key. Will post results at later time.

        It's a shame Dell doesn't always appreciate your valuable assistance to us 'untechies' at large…

      2. The OEM disc from Best Buy will be a generic OEM disc and not a Dell OEM disc. It therefore won't require the SLP markers in the BIOS and will activate with its own 25 digit product key. The generic OEM is similar to the retail license however has 2 limitations; once installed on the desktop it is non-transferable (forever tied to the desktops motherboard). The second is that the product key will not work with Microsoft's Software Recovery Tool (which is pretty non-functional anyway).

        The Windows 7 Generic OEM license will be eligible for the free upgrade to Windows 10 in Late Summer.

  10. I recently purchased a new Dell Inspiron 3847 from Amazon. It came with Windows 7 Professional installed, and included a Windows 8.1 disc in the box. The listing said something about a downgrade package. Before I mess up a perfectly functioning Windows 7 system, how do I go about installing 8.1 from the disc? It has no COA numbers anywhere that I have found.

    Also, I have no Windows 7 disc, but assume the restore partition currently holds that info. I have never had one of these two OS 'downgrade' deals before so I am more than a bit confused.
    Thanks for any info.

    1. For Windows 7 Professional the OEM SLP activation is used and if you need to download Windows 7 Professional Media follow the instructions here:
      http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/windows-7-sp1-iso-download/
      You need the ABR program and cert files aswell as the .iso as you have no unique Windows 7 Professional product key and must use the OEM SLP. I explain whats going on in the tutorial video. Media made from Dell Backup and Recovery will also work but it depends if you want a clean install or factory settings. If your factory settings are working well theres no need to clean install.

      The system should be licensed for Windows 8.1 Professional and the Windows 8.1 Professional product key resides within the system BIOS. A utility like RWEverything can readout the MSDM tab from ACPI tables to get the product key. I explain this in great detail in the tutorial video I made here:
      http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/download-windows-8-1-retail-and-oem-iso/
      In general the key should be automatically input and there should be no need for the end user to know it. There are the few (very rare) cases where the BIOS loses the product key so I advise taking a note of it just in case.

  11. Philip Trying to re-activate a Windows 7 Home Premuim install following the installation of SSD on a Studio 1555. Although I installed the Product Key that I recovered Using Belarc I did not notice that it had not been accepted as a valid Product ID. When I was re-installing the machine I used the Windows 7 iso image linked to from this site, but for some reason did not see the instructions for backing up the BIOS Certs. Now when I attempt to re-install I get the error 0xC004F063 Computer BIOS missing required licence. I have attempted to follow the instructions over the ABRBeta but the program failed to run windows reporting that it was not a valid Windows 32 program. (McAfee also wared me that the site was not trusted, but I continued with your directions). I no longer seem to have the COA KEY. I do though still have the orginal OS re-installation CD. Do I have any options that to go and buy another Retail copy of Windows 7? Is there an alternative ABR program available now? Or do I risk it and go on the Windows 10 beta. (but this my wifes machine not mine….)

    When I upgraded the same way another Dell machine ealier this year I dont recall such issues.

    1. I advise staying clear from McAfee, it is usually problematic for legitimate things and doesn't detect actual treats in many cases. You can see negative McAfee reviews all over:
      http://download.cnet.com/McAfee-Total-Protection/3000-2239_4-10763479.html
      http://www.amazon.com/McAfee-Total-Protection-3PC-2014/product-reviews/B00E6OPDUS
      I prefer Malwarebytes' AntiMalware. McAfee has likely caused some issue with the ABR program hence it not working.

      Update your BIOS to the latest version A13. I advise removal of McAfee before updating the BIOS:
      http://downloads.dell.com/published/pages/studio-1555.html
      Then reattempt using the ABR program with the cert files I list. This will re-apply the OEM SLP. Redownload the files once McAfee has been removed as McAfee has likely corrupted the ABR.exe.

      Reinstallation with the Dell OEM Reinstallation DVD will automatically apply the OEM SLP activation mechanism, so thats your alternative to the ABR program.

      Also your COA should be under your battery in that model. Dell put it there to prevent it from fading. You can input that key and call Microsoft to activate but I prefer the OEM SLP activation.

  12. I have a Dell Latitude E4300 laptop that came preinstalled with windows 7 32 bit professional. I plan to do a clean install of windows 7 64 bit professional. I already have the retail media. Will this method work to properly activate the 64 bit version of windows or will it only work for the 32 bit version the computer originally came with? I plan to back up the cert and key files first before reformatting the drive but those backups will be from the 32 bit version. How do you suggest I proceed?

      1. Thank you so much for your work and this very informative website!

  13. I have a HP dv9620us. does it have bios markers for both Vista and Windows 7? I had lost my recovery disks sometime ago and found a vista install disk from a Toshiba machine and it workded but now would like to see if could go reinstall all HP original configurations. I noticed on another page that Microsoft broke all Digital River ISO. Does that effect this fix?

    1. I am not as familiar with HP systems as I am with Dell systems. Did it ship with Windows Vista or Windows 7? If it shipped with Windows 7 then it has the BIOS markers for Windows 7.

      The Digital River .isos highly influence this fix because they are the only downloadable source of installation media. However if you have the .iso downloaded in advance or a retail Windows 7 Installation DVD to hand it may be used instead.

  14. I just used this to put 64-bit Vista Business on a Dell Latitude E5500 that only shipped with 32-bit media, and it worked! I'm preparing several of these laptops for a client for surplussing and eventual sale and wanted an image that would look as much like the original OOBE as possible, including factory activation. This will be extremely handy!

    Unfortunately, the links to the backed up HP certificates have gone dead.

    1. Great glad it helped and glad you had the generic installation media to install with. The OneDrive link to the HP certificates worked just there when I attempted to download them.

      For the Latitude E5500 perhaps even Windows 7 64 Bit Professional and the ABR files would work (most these systems were out in Late 2008 and would have been eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 7 Professional) providing the BIOS is updated to the latest version. If you had Windows 7 64 Bit installed then you could even install Dell Backup and Recovery after the system drivers and after applying the Dell OEM logos to make a near identical factory install.

      1. I was able to download and use a Vista Business x64 SP2 ISO from Volume Licensing and apply the methods you described. Microsoft had once said that VLK media can be used to reload a system with an OEM license, you just needed to use the OEM keys and activate. Fortunately, I've hoarded several of the Dell Windows 7 x64 restore disks. All my hoarded Vista disks are x86 with SP1.

        The Latitudes were purchased in batches, and all with the XP Downgrade option enabled. Some came with Vista Business licenses (and attached COA) and some later units came with 7 Pro licenses (and attached COA), just depending on which phase of the rollout they were purchased. Some of the line of business software applications weren't qualified for Vista or 7 until XP support was nearly expired. Hell, some of the web-based applications still don't work with IE 10. If these were going back into service, I'd probably use the Windows 7 disk, claim the licenses were under the Windows 7 Volume License, send them on. But these will be surplussed, so I figured it would just be easier in the long run to load it with the OS indicated on the COA and send them off to their new homes. No support calls for activation issues down the line and such.

        I may go looking for the Dell logos and branding information. Getting a proper OOBE was my main concern, including licensing and activation. I do have plenty of the Dell Vista x86 disks, so obtaining the OEM images shouldn't be difficult. I haven't had to apply branding since we stopped getting unbranded Dell Optiplex GX series desktops, back when they had the CPS program. Going to have to brush up on that again!

        As for the links for the HP certs, I was somehow in an older version of Opera (I keep it around for getting into older routers and such that don't play well with newer IE or other browsers) which no longer plays nice with OneDrive. When I switched over to IE, I was able to get them. I'll squirrel those away for the occasional HP that comes through depot.

  15. Amazing, was scratching my head after reformatting the disk of my HP/COMPAQ CQ61 and realising the key on the underneath had worn off.. Now restored with key same as prior to formatting according to Belarc. Saved time and worries, thankyou.

  16. Hi, I have a few Dell Optiplex with SLIC/SLP 2.1 BIOS, and also the Windows 7 reinstallation DVD that came with Optiplex. Should I use ABR-beta and backup-cert.XrML and backup-key.txt ? Can I use the same DVD to reinstall all PCs? I will need to change the key? I would like to do a fresh clean install before upgrading to WIndows 10… Thanks!

    1. The Dell Windows 7 Reinstallation DVD will work with all Optiplex systems newer than 2009 including the OptiPlex 360/760 (if they have the latest BIOS present).

      No need to use ABR as the activation mechanism will automatically be applied from the Reinstallation DVD. Don't change key.

  17. My factory purchased Dell XPS-8100 hard drive died – replaced it with an SSD and reinstalled using Dell supplied OS disc. Windows not auto-activated. I spent over 3 hours with 3 calls EACH to Microsoft AND Dell and had them each pointing the finger at one another (and with most of the tech support reps clueless). I also spent hours searching Google. I finally stumbled across your site. After reading your article, I was up and activated in less than 10 minutes. THANK YOU!!

    1. You're welcome, I've been in that situation before hence the reason I looked for and wrote up these workarounds hopefully things will be better with Windows 10. 🙂

  18. thanks so much for being active on the dell forums & posting this info! my laptop has an SSD, but silly Dell installed the OS onto the HDD… your keys did not work for me, but I still have windows running on the HDD as I slowly migrate (I've had the computer 2 years) and so was able to backup my own keys and restore them without a problem 🙂

    1. XPS 8700? Its a known problem with Dell Backup and Recovery and we have made Dell aware of it.

      Dell Backup and Recovery by default installs on the largest drive. For a 256 GB SSD and a 2 TB drive if both are installed during the time Dell load the factory image it goes onto the wrong drive.

      Follow the instructions here to migrate the factory settings to the correct drive:
      http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/dell-backup-and-recovery-1-8-1-71/
      My guide has instructions on multiple drive configurations.

  19. hello im sanoop, recently i formatted my dell latitude e 6410 laptop.. actually i dont have oem dvd disk and windows product key.. i already noted my windows product key with using a third party software called magical jellybean keyfinder before formatting.. then i installed the same version of windows but later i tried to activate windows but unfortunately it is getting an error.. is there any hope to activate windows on my laptop without purchasing a new windows??

    1. Without Windows 7 Reinstallation/Installation Media there is no way to reload Windows 7. Microsoft have removed the Digital River Downloads and replaced them with a non-functional Microsoft Software Recovery Tool which blocks Dell Windows 7 OEM licenses.

      At this stage the only important thing is getting the free upgrade to Windows 10. This can be done via the Windows 10 Insider 10130 .iso:
      http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/a-clean-install-of-windows-10/windows-xpvista-%e2%86%92-windows-10-free-upgrade/
      However you may need to find this .iso in an unofficial location as Microsoft no longer facilitate its download.

      1. can i download windows 7 pro 64 bit dell oem .iso??

  20. Thank you so much! I wasted so much time on the phone and got nowhere, and this tool totally saved me! Now I can stay on the best looking system MS has ever made with no cloud crap from MS.

    1. Hi, I have a Dell Inspiron Mini 10 (1018) that I am attempting to re-install Windows 7 Starter edition on. I have installed Windows with no issues. I am now tripping over the activation process. I have noticed a couple of thing that I am unclear about. When I run the ABR executable it changes OEM product ID to a non OEM product ID and the Dell OEM SLP keys listed above are the same for Windows 7 Starter and Windows 7 Home Basic. Is this behaviour expected? Thanks

      1. Whoops looks like I've made a couple of mistakes here…

        Open up the backup-key.txt file in notepad and change 36T88-RT7C6-R38TQ-RV8M9-WWTCY (the key for Home Basic) to 36Q3Y-BBT84-MGJ3H-FT7VD-FG72J (the key for Starter). The cert file is the same for all Dell Windows 7 OEM (so can remain unchanged).

        Can you let me know if the Product ID becomes XXXXX-OEM-8992707-00082 I think I made a second mistake calling it XXXXX-OEM-8992702-00082.

  21. Hi,
    I am trying to re-install windows 7 home premium (installed when bought) and the coa product key is faded. Is it possible to activate it using slic. The System has a SLIC Version of 2.1
    Thanks

    1. Yes see my updated Windows 7 guide here:
      https://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/windows-7/
      Note if you have previously upgraded to Windows 10 Home, you should be able to install it directly without a product key. During the free upgrade your motherboard details are stored with a Microsoft Product Activation Server. It will recognise your system if you clean install windows 10 Home and reactive in the background automatically.

      If you have not previously upgraded to Windows 10 Home you can do so after clean installing Windows 7 Home Premium.

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