My Copy of windows needs activation, but it said it was genuine...

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strommj

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So i'll start from the beginning (more or less). My first computer was a laptop that I bought at walmart, so had a windows 7 copy pre-installed on it. One day I needed a system restore and needed a windows disc. I got one from my university, but it was professional and I needed home premium (they didn't have home premium). So a friend of mine put it onto a flash-drive and made it so that I could use it to re-install home premium on my computer with the re-imaging. I believe the product key used was from my laptop.

Now the information pertaining to my question:

Recently I built a computer, and I used this same flash drive and key to install windows on it. It's installed, and says Invalid product key, and says I need to activate windows. So at this, I assumed I'll just need to buy a new copy of windows. However, when I went through validation, it said my copy is genuine... I'm confused at this.

Is this because when I did a factory reset on my laptop, it didn't actually use up the product key from before? But if so i'm still confused why it says i need activation when it also says its genuine.

Can anyone shed some light on this situation?
 
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To be fair he went on to say he got at least 1 different copy from his university, his friend made a re-image and he indicated computer rather than laptop later in the sentence.
So be be honest I wasn't sure what he had, but my information was correct.
You can install regular windows 7 onto a laptop as well, just it can be a nightmare getting all the drivers.

Either way, I would still...
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Kurdain1

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That is not true, unless possibly it was an OEM version specifically for that model of laptop.

I have built several computers for myself and used the same copy of windows 7 ultimate on each computer. What is true though is you can only have a single copy of windows installed and active on a single PC at a time.

Even if your copy of windows is genuine you will still need to 'activate' it over the internet. If you are getting an error then you can simply call Microsoft and they will go through a few questions with you to verify you have a legal copy, and if everything checks out they will generate a new activation key for you to use, and will likely activate it for you right there.

Also they can even remote access your computer in some cases to assist as well.

I just went through this over last Christmas where I built a new PC and used the same copy of windows 7 I had used on my old PC on my new PC. I could not activate it even though it is an absolutely genuine copy of windows.
Because I had used and reinstalled the same copy a few times over the years the number reinstalls or reactivations were depleted (3 I think for Windows 7 Ultimate). He simply remote accessed my computer, verified a few files and generated a new key.

It took about 30 minutes and I wasn't even at the computer 1/2 the time.

Simple, easy, fast.

Just call Microsoft.
 
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hans_pcguy

hans_pcguy

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I gave up trying to figure out Microsoft Operating system activation's. There are so many different versions that are proprietary it's sickening. Best thing to do is get a copy of the exact Windows CD that is for your specific Laptop. Dell needs Dell, HP needs HP, etc., Then only use the key that is on the coa on the machine. Otherwise good luck. In my mind Microsoft is the monkey wrench in the works of the PC market.
 
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Kurdain1

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To be fair he went on to say he got at least 1 different copy from his university, his friend made a re-image and he indicated computer rather than laptop later in the sentence.
So be be honest I wasn't sure what he had, but my information was correct.
You can install regular windows 7 onto a laptop as well, just it can be a nightmare getting all the drivers.

Either way, I would still give them a call, worst case is they say NO after spending a few minutes of your time.
 
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