Windows Not Genuine

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paulo1b

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Jan 14, 2018
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Hi, can anyone help me with an issue I have. I purchased a win 7 professional re-installation disc with coa from Ebay back in October, all went well installation successful etc... and I have been using my laptop without issues ever since - until recently. Suddenly out of the blue I have got a message saying my copy of windows is not genuine and I need to purchase another product key.

I bought a key online again from Ebay and tried this but still it would not validate, so I called Microsoft to see what I could do, and they told me my current product key had reached its limits. I thought because I bought this code I own it.! I didn`t know product keys had limits, I thought when you validate it - that's it..! seems im wrong, and now each key I put in doesn't work.

I fear I may have to re-install a fresh copy of windows can I do that without losing any of my data? my photo`s, documents, music, favourite websites etc.... can I just enter a key or do I really have to do a clean install? appreciate any help on this thanks.
 
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COLGeek

COLGeek

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Apr 6, 2009
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Sounds like you were sold a product key that may have been sold/used by others, in addition to you.

Your recourse is to purchase a product key from a reliable source. You could also use this as an opportunity to upgrade to Win10 (still need to purchase a valid, legal product key).
 
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NormH

NormH

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Nov 5, 2013
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the answer is yes you will need a new copy, also what happened is they sold the key more than once. you can install windows and keep all the info on the PC by performing a back up to a CD/Usb or by choosing to migrate the files during install.

hope this helps
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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Yes, you were sold a (used to be) valid license key.
However, probably a dozen other people were sold that same license key.

This happens on ebay all the time. As well as the other cheap grey market sources.

When yo first install it, all it really checks for is that is a validly constructed license. Not necessarily if it has been used before. Later, when the activation servers catch up during a standard Windows update..."Hey, this same license is used on WAY too many systems. Deactivate"

Time to buy a valid OS license, from a valid retailer. Microsoft, Newegg, etc.
 
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mjslakeridge

mjslakeridge

Splendid
Mar 6, 2013
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As the others have said your best bet would be to buy a valid key from a reliable source. I don't know which browser you use, but there should be a method to export your favorite websites to a usb flash drive and then import them back in once Windows is installed. For Chrome, you would click on the 3 dots in the upper right part of the screen and go to bookmarks, then click on Bookmark Manager. All of your saved bookmarks will show up and you can click on the 3 dots in the bookmark manager screen and select the option to export. Then just specify the path (a secondary HDD or USB flash drive).
 
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adamjhayes44

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Dec 10, 2017
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You should make a back up of your files before you do anything else. Setting up a new windows would be perfect let me tell you something. Your computer would not stop running if you don't reinstall another OS.
 
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