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.
- Major OEM Media e.g. Dell Activates Using the OEM SLP

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:
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.
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
Edition | Product ID | OEM 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 |
Edition | Product ID | OEM 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 Starter | xxxxx-OEM-8992752-30169 xxxxx-OEM-8992702-00153 | 273P4-GQ8V6-97YYM-9YTHF-DC2VP 22P26-HD8YH-RD96C-28R8J-DCT28 |
Windows 7 Home Basic | xxxxx-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 Ultimate | xxxxx-OEM-8992662-00537 | 6K2KY-BFH24-PJW6W-9GK29-TMPWP |
HP/Compaq
Edition | Product ID | OEM SLP Key |
Windows Vista Starter | xxxxx-OEM-7332204-00603 | 223JH-DDMFR-3WBTR-H3V93-28JK8 |
Windows Vista Home Basic | xxxxx-OEM-7332166-00021 | 2VX48-BVXT6-GD2PK-BD3R2-44MV3 |
Windows Vista Home Premium | xxxxx-OEM-7332157-00174 | HW7V9-XYT4W-PFR9Q-2DKGJ-RR4TD |
Windows Vista Business | xxxxx-OEM-7332141-00039 | 2Q2WM-VCB98-8C6BG-C9BT2-3XDRY |
Windows Vista Ultimate | xxxxx-OEM-7332132-00015 | 23CM9-P7MYR-VFWRT-JGH7R-R933G |
Windows 7 Starter | xxxxx-OEM-8992752-30008 | RH98C-M9PW4-6DHR7-X99PJ-3FGDB |
Windows 7 Home Basic | xxxxx-OEM-8992752-50008 | DX8R9-BVCGB-PPKRR-8J7T4-TJHTH |
Windows 7 Home Premium | xxxxx-OEM-8992687-00010 | 4FG99-BC3HD-73CQT-WMF7J-3Q6C9 |
Windows 7 Professional | xxxxx-OEM-8992671-00008 | 74T2M-DKDBC-788W3-H689G-6P6GT |
Windows 7 Ultimate | xxxxx-OEM-8992662-00010 | MHFPT-8C8M2-V9488-FGM44-2C9T3 |
ASUS
Edition | Product ID | OEM SLP Key |
Windows 7 Starter | xxxxx-OEM-8992752-30005 | 6K6WB-X73TD-KG794-FJYHG-YCJVG |
Windows 7 Home Basic | xxxxx-OEM-8992752-50005 | 89G97-VYHYT-Y6G8H-PJXV6-77GQM |
Windows 7 Home Premium | xxxxx-OEM-8992687-00007 xxxxx-OEM-8992687-00118 | 2QDBX-9T8HR-2QWT6-HCQXJ-9YQTR 7JQWQ-K6KWQ-BJD6C-K3YVH-DVQJG |
Windows 7 Professional | xxxxx-OEM-8992671-00407 | 2WCJK-R8B4Y-CWRF2-TRJKB-PV9HW |
Windows 7 Ultimate | xxxxx-OEM-8992662-00173 | 2Y4WT-DHTBF-Q6MMK-KYK6X-VKM6G |
Acer/Gateway/Packard
Edition | Product ID | OEM SLP Key |
Windows 7 Starter | xxxxx-OEM-8992752-30004 | RDJXR-3M32B-FJT32-QMPGB-GCFF6 |
Windows 7 Home Basic | xxxxx-OEM-8992752-50004 | MB4HF-2Q8V3-W88WR-K7287-2H4CP |
Windows 7 Home Premium | xxxxx-OEM-8992687-00006 | VQB3X-Q3KP8-WJ2H8-R6B6D-7QJB7 |
Windows 7 Professional | xxxxx-OEM-8992671-00004 | YKHFT-KW986-GK4PY-FDWYH-7TP9F |
Windows 7 Ultimate | xxxxx-OEM-8992662-00006 | FJGCP-4DFJD-GJY49-VJBQ7-HYRR2 |
Samsung
Edition | Product ID | OEM SLP Key |
Windows 7 Starter | xxxxx-OEM-8992752-30013 | PV9BD-YBRX6-CTMG6-CCMJY-X8XG7 |
Windows 7 Home Basic | xxxxx-OEM-8992752-50013 | 2P6PB-G7YVY-W46VJ-BXJ36-PGGTG |
Windows 7 Home Premium | xxxxx-OEM-8992687-00015 | CQBVJ-9J697-PWB9R-4K7W4-2BT4J |
Windows 7 Professional | xxxxx-OEM-8992671-00013 | GMJQF-JC7VC-76HMH-M4RKY-V4HX6 |
Windows 7 Ultimate | xxxxx-OEM-8992662-00015 | 49PB6-6BJ6Y-KHGCQ-7DDY6-TF7CD |
Sony
Edition | Product ID | OEM SLP Key |
Windows 7 Starter | xxxxx-OEM-8992707-00016 | 32J2V-TGQCY-9QJXP-Q3FVT-X8BQ |
Windows 7 Home Basic | xxxxx-OEM-8992752-50014 | YV7QQ-RCXQ9-KTBHC-YX3FG-FKRW8 |
Windows 7 Home Premium | xxxxx-OEM-8992687-00016 | H4JWX-WHKWT-VGV87-C7XPK-CGKHQ |
Windows 7 Professional | xxxxx-OEM-8992671-00014 | H9M26-6BXJP-XXFCY-7BR4V-24X8 |
Windows 7 Ultimate | xxxxx-OEM-8992662-00016 | YJJYR-666KV-8T4YH-KM9TB-4PY2W |
Toshiba
Edition | Product ID | OEM SLP Key |
Windows 7 Starter | xxxxx-OEM-8992752-30015 | TGBKB-9KBGJ-3Y3J6-K8M2F-J2HJQ |
Windows 7 Home Basic | xxxxx-OEM-8992752-50015 | 9H4FH-VD69Y-TGBD2-4PM4K-DRMMH |
Windows 7 Home Premium | xxxxx-OEM-8992687-00057 xxxxx-OEM-8992687-00017 | 6B88K-KCCWY-4F8HK-M4P73-W8DQG 6GF36-P4HWR-BFF84-6GFC2-BWX77 |
Windows 7 Professional | xxxxx-OEM-8992671-00137 xxxxx-OEM-8992671-00015 | 2V8P2-QKJWM-4THM3-74PDB-4P2KH W2PMW-T7DBH-YHKRM-DXXF6-KP4KT |
Windows 7 Ultimate | xxxxx-OEM-8992662-00459 | 2XQ63-J3P67-9G3JC-FHQ68-8Q2F3 |
MSI
Edition | Product ID | OEM SLP Key |
Windows 7 Starter | xxxxx-OEM-8992707-00121 xxxxx-OEM-8992752-30271 | 2W4DJ-JFFJV-DMCPP-2C3X8-883DP 2YKPV-BFXFW-X8GJQ-9KQFF-KCXGD |
Windows 7 Home Basic | xxxxx-OEM-8992752-50179 | 2TY7W-H4DD4-MB62F-BD9C3-88TM6 |
Windows 7 Home Premium | xxxxx-OEM-8992687-00246 | 4G3GR-J6JDJ-D96PV-T9B9D-M8X2Q |
Windows 7 Professional | xxxxx-OEM-8992671-00503 | 2W3CX-YD4YJ-DF9B2-V27M6-77GMF |
Fujitsu
Edition | Product ID | OEM SLP Key |
Windows 7 Starter | xxxxx-OEM-8992752-30007 | PMXH9-M23P9-QJJMB-2FWRC-7CDKP |
Windows 7 Home Basic | xxxxx-OEM-8992752-50007 | 8W3JQ-BP2HY-F47QX-6CQ94-2BKQB |
Windows 7 Home Premium | xxxxx-OEM-8992687-00009 | C6MHH-TRRPT-74TDC-FHRMV-XB88W |
Windows 7 Professional | xxxxx-OEM-8992671-00007 | PT9YK-BC2J9-WWYF9-R9DCR-QB9CK |
Windows 7 Ultimate | xxxxx-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.
Opt for the extracted files to be in downloads.
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.
Accept the warnings to run it
Again select the default location of downloads and select extract
You will now have a folder called ABR, open it to the left and open the ABR activation files to the right.
Activation-Restore.exe
Select your version of Windows.
I will use Professional as an example. Move the backup-cert.XrML and backup-key.txt file to the ABR folder.
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).
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.
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]:
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.
Accept the warnings to run it
Select the default location to extract.
This will extract to an ABR folder, open it.
Launch the activation_backup.exe
Accept any UAC prompts, you will now have a backup-cert.XrML file and backup-key.txt file created.
Copy 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.
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:
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 ?????
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!
Saying what? I assume you are not on the product activation stage and that you are the Windows installation stage. If I'm correct have a look at these videos:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows-7/downloading-preparing-and-loading-sata-drivers/
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I can't believe it! Using the phone activation procedure the activation was a success! Did it override the BIOS markers or something?
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.
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?
will this method work with Dell Vostro 1440 laptop. Please reply
The Vostro 1440 came with Windows 7 OEM and its BIOS is valid for Windows 7 so this will work on it.
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?
What BIOS revision do you have? You will need to have the latest A12 installed before using the ABR program.
http://downloads.dell.com/bios/I545-A12.EXE
Earlier versions of the BIOS will not be accepted for the system locked preinstallation mechanism of Windows 7.
I do have A12.
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.
The ABR program worked!!! You are the man.
Great! Thanks for posting back your success. 🙂
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.
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.
Perfect, thank you again !
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
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
It'll work with either architecture, the activation is identical for both.
Thank you so much for your work and this very informative website!
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Glad it helped. 🙂
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!
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.
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!!
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. 🙂
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 🙂
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.
it's an alienware laptop m14 r2
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??
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.
can i download windows 7 pro 64 bit dell oem .iso??
No not from official sources.
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.
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
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.
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
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.