A question I've always wanted answered about windows activation.

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Kkody2

Kkody2

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So last year I built my first computer. It was during the time when Windows 10 had a free upgrade so I decided to buy a windows 7 product key for cheaper.
I got my product key via email and then waited for my parts to arrive

I installed windows 7 with an install disc I had and then loaded into windows. (I skipped the product key step because I wanted to see if everything was working. Then I would put the key in later).
Later I went to put in product key and it said my windows was already activated with an OEM key.
I just thought. Hey whatevwr.
Then upgraded to windows 10 without a problem.
Still to this day. A year later. I have yet to put that windows 7 product key in and Windows says I have a genuine activation linked with my ms account.

Any answers as to why this happened?
 
Solution
BFG-9000
If the motherboard is from an OEM manufacturer the BIOS may include a SLIC table that will auto-activate any Windows 7 disc that has the proper certificate.

Windows 10 ignores any SLIC tables as it cannot be activated this way, but if you've had Windows 10 activated on the machine before, the WPA key will be stored in the cloud for future automatic reactivations on the same hardware. It will not suddenly become deactivated.

As you've gone the extra step of linking your installation to a Microsoft Account, you can transfer this Windows 10 license to new hardware like a new motherboard if you ever need to.

Your unused Windows 7 key is still good and can be used for something else. Keep in mind Windows 7 will only be supported for...
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boju

boju

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Tricky question, do us a favor and read here: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/find-windows-product-key-after-upgrading-windows-10/

Use the showkeyplus and see if the original key it registers as being activated is the one you bought.

My guess is Windows telling you it was already activated may have been a glitch message that it wrongfully gave you instead of acceptance msg and accepted the key you put in anyway. Maybe while MS was rolling out Win10 upgrades coinciding with Win7/8 to Win10 updates, manual activation's may have had a hiccup.

Win7 is a 30day without activation, is hard to get around so i think something went wrong on their side.
 
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Kkody2

Kkody2

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Alright. I was posting this thread just in case anyone knew exactly why it happened.
Since I havnt lost my activation after a year of having windows 10. I am sure I shouldn't have to worry about I get deactivated or anything?
 
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boju

boju

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Give it time, i might not know exactly why this situation happened to you but someone might reply that will know. So thanks for the best answer but i'll un select giving you that chance to find out.

Windows would have nagged you already 100 times over if not activated properly. Be interesting to know if that showkeyplus shows the key you bought.
 
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Kkody2

Kkody2

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Alright. I thought the same thing about the best answer. I just feel bad for not giving someone it if they answer so well. Haha.


I'm currently not able to access my computer. But ill be sure to try that key thing next time I get the chance.

 
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BFG-9000

BFG-9000

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If the motherboard is from an OEM manufacturer the BIOS may include a SLIC table that will auto-activate any Windows 7 disc that has the proper certificate.

Windows 10 ignores any SLIC tables as it cannot be activated this way, but if you've had Windows 10 activated on the machine before, the WPA key will be stored in the cloud for future automatic reactivations on the same hardware. It will not suddenly become deactivated.

As you've gone the extra step of linking your installation to a Microsoft Account, you can transfer this Windows 10 license to new hardware like a new motherboard if you ever need to.

Your unused Windows 7 key is still good and can be used for something else. Keep in mind Windows 7 will only be supported for another 3 years but it is still possible to upgrade it to Windows 10 for free here (the only "assistive technology" you need is the magnifier that comes with Windows). I just tried it and it still works, but you no longer get the free DVD player with Creators Update 1703.
 
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Solution
Kkody2

Kkody2

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I do actually remember hearing about the motherboard doing something like that. But didn't think that my gigabyte 78lmt cheap pile of trash would include that. It must have though.

And I was actually going to ask about the motherboard thing. But you already answered.
I didn't know for sure if I upgraded my CPU and motherboard if windows would still recognize it as my system.

Thanks!

 
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