How to check validity of windows activation key

SentinelAeon · Jan 4, 2023

Hello, i got a bunch of complete business laptops that were to be tossed away. They got a windows 7 activation key sticker on them. Some of them are certain OEM option that will prevent you from using it while others work normaly. None of the keys are used anymore. I am wondering what would be an easy way to check which ones are still valid and can be used to install windows 7, so i can give them to people. But i dont want to spend time installing windows and activating for each one, not to mention there will be a fuss for anyone to use them after this since it will say it was already used. Is there an easier solution ? Maybe install windows and use all those keys in a single installation (install windows, use cd key, then once its activated replace that key with all the others and test them) ?

redeye · Jan 4, 2023

windows 7 is “dead”…(no security upgrade, and Microsoft has “ disavowed it “…

in any case the key is tied to motherboard, so if you have a windows 7 disk, you will be able to reinstall it on the laptop. IMO you can not move a IMO laptop key.

also IMO, a window 7 laptop is only good for running Legacy software, that can not be run on win 11.

the other problem is that those laptops are “ticking security risks” as such should not be connected tonthe internet in a business environment… (home ok, i suppose. )

IMO windows 7 laptops are “boat achors” lol.

ThrashZone · Jan 4, 2023

Hi,
Win-7 keys will still activate win-10 and maybe 11

Seeing you just want to check the keys you can use this probably

ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Help Forums

I have converted the vbs to .Net for speed and backward compatibility with Win 8.0. Should be fine on WTP, but please report any bugs (This is a quite

www.tenforums.com

Sasqui · Jan 4, 2023

ThrashZone said:
Hi,
Win-7 keys will still activate win-10 and maybe 11

Seeing you just want to check the keys you can use this probably

ShowKeyPlus - Windows 10 Help Forums

I have converted the vbs to .Net for speed and backward compatibility with Win 8.0. Should be fine on WTP, but please report any bugs (This is a quite

www.tenforums.com

I just went through a number of retired Dell Precision laptops that had Win 7 COAs under the batteries. Some of them "auto activated" ...all of the M6800 did at least. The M6700 models did not... If you have a valid key, make a USB install media at microsoft.com. Install Windows and if it doesn't prompt for a key, it usually means it'll self activate (a valid key is burned into BIOS). To check, just search for activation settings in the search bar, and it'll tell you.

These are i7 3rd and 4th gen laptops, most with decent discreet graphics. Not boat anchors by any means. I upgraded all with either a 500GB or 1TB SSD. They can handle about anything you can throw at them... and can play most games depending on the quality and res settings

EDIT: To check a specific key for the version of windows you want, Google "windows media creation tool" for a Microsoft link. Pick the Windows version you want and enter the key. If it's not valid for that version, it'll tell you

Bomby569 · Jan 4, 2023

if you just want to install win7 and have win7 keys just go ahead and do it, the OEM part means they are locked to the motherboard but should work fine in whatever copy of win7 you have as long as it matches, if it's pro use a pro, home use a home, etc...

ThrashZone · Jan 4, 2023

Hi,
Yep even small 250gb ssd are dirt cheap if they still have hdd's in them

https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-MX500-NAND-Internal-560MB/dp/B0781VSXBP?th=1

It is worth the time to install win-10 even restoring a system image and switching keys is pretty easy
And if all else fails TPU has good deals on activation keys seems monthly for win-10 7.us+- for 10 pro :cool:

GoDeal24 Happy New Year Flash Sale Now Live

With Godeal24's New Year Sale, buyers can get the best deals on software like Windows OS and Microsoft Office. Every purchase made through the platform is 100% secure and comes with guaranteed genuine product keys that are delivered to the buyer immediately and 24/7 dedicated support to help...

www.techpowerup.com

Sasqui said:
EDIT: To check a specific key for the version of windows you want, Google "windows media creation tool" for a Microsoft link. Pick the Windows version you want and enter the key. If it's not valid for that version, it'll tell you

All laptops are oem which only the oem supports the installed windows version key
MS only supports retail version of windows unfortunately

If one ever needs win-7/... media just use this app tool

Heidoc.net

Jacky_BEL · Jan 4, 2023

When installing windows 7 now , you need lots of time and some experience to get it up to date since later updates have tighter security requirements.
I am thinking:
- installer module
- Servicing Stack Update
- SP1 update
- Convenience Update
- SHA-2

and maybe even update some security certificates via "Let's Encrypt" otherwise some updates will fail to install, because some of the Microsoft certificates have expired.

On this page you can get the actual Root Certificates : -> Chain of Trust - Let’s Encrypt

ThrashZone · Jan 4, 2023

Hi,
7 Sp2 is not to tough worst part is drivers for each machine which win-10 would be a lot easier doing this part.
How to make an updated ISO with Windows 7 SP2 Convenience Rollup so Windows Update works

kiriakost · Jan 4, 2023

Microsoft killed any OEM Win7 key activation two years ago.
Any OEM Win7 key which accepted to receive Win10 upgrade once ... this died instantly.. and many laptop users lost their chance to revert back at Win7.

Nowadays Microsoft accepts to activate retail Win 7 boxed.
And this is not going to change.

Veseleil · Jan 4, 2023

Ummm... Is this even a question? And how do people think we use Enterprise LTSC on our home computers? I'll walk myself out. Cheers.

QuietBob · Jan 4, 2023

ThrashZone said:
Win-7 keys will still activate win-10 and maybe 11

Is the opposite also true? Can a Win10 key be used to activate 7?

Solaris17 · Jan 4, 2023

QuietBob said:
Is the opposite also true? Can a Win10 key be used to activate 7?

they cannot

ThrashZone · Jan 4, 2023

QuietBob said:
Is the opposite also true? Can a Win10 key be used to activate 7?

Hi,
No

I have gotten win-8.1 keys sold as win-10 keys before from godeal24 purchase
One thing I don't like about that company, not completely honest but chances of getting a win-7 key from them is very unlikely :laugh:

Jacky_BEL · Jan 4, 2023

kiriakost said:
Microsoft killed any OEM Win7 key activation two years ago.
Any OEM Win7 key which accepted to receive Win10 upgrade once ... this died instantly.. and many laptop users lost their chance to revert back at Win7.

Nowadays Microsoft accepts to activate retail Win 7 boxed.
And this is not going to change.

W7 OEM activation workaround : phone activation , I know it is a PITA.
I did 2 phone activations and am pretty sure it was within the past 2 years.

ThrashZone · Jan 4, 2023

Jacky_BEL said:
W7 OEM activation workaround : phone activation , I know it is a PITA.
I did 2 phone activations and am pretty sure it was within the past 2 years.

Hi,
Yep
Biggest booboo doing phone activation is saying when asked how many installs
Correct answer is 0 NOT 1
If you use 1 ms counts this attempt as the 2nd and kicks you out :laugh:

kiriakost · Jan 4, 2023

Jacky_BEL said:
W7 OEM activation workaround : phone activation , I know it is a PITA.
I did 2 phone activations and am pretty sure it was within the past 2 years.

The ones using original recovery DVD for their laptop model, they always have better chances from the ones who download Win7 image and trying to activate it just by the key.
I do own also ASUS laptop, Win7 64bit, I did use it to burn backup DVD, I do feel safe too.

Jacky_BEL · Jan 4, 2023

Yes , if OP has access to the original recovery DVD then installing would become easier.
But even then he will encounter problems with automatic updating. He made clear he doesn't want to spend time on that , can't blame him

.

kiriakost · Jan 4, 2023

Jacky_BEL said:
Yes , if OP has access to the original recovery DVD then installing would become easier.
But even then he will encounter problems with automatic updating.

The history just repeat it self, we staying longer to windows XP, we faced the same style of Microsoft actions.
We were forced to activate by phone only.

delshay · Jan 5, 2023

redeye said:
in any case the key is tied to motherboard, so if you have a windows 7 disk, you will be able to reinstall it on the laptop. IMO you can not move a IMO laptop key.

Not 100% sure what you are saying is true.

I have win7 & if it's installed & activated it will not allow me to install to another computer. However I think the key needs not to be active for a timed period not sure if it's three months or six months. Let's say six months worse case. Then I can install.

I do have one key that is blocked because I kept reinstalling windows in a short period of time (same computer). Again not sure how many times you can reinstall before they block it.

Jacky_BEL · Jan 5, 2023

On an OEM ~~recovery~~ Windows installation DVD there should be 2 files present that let windows check against a key in the BIOS, to be able to activate offline.
This method is the OEM System Locked Preinstallation.

When installing windows 7 from a retail DVD these files are not present , but you can manually apply the OEM SLP , you will still need to find these 2 files somehow. (OEM.xrm-ms file and OEM SLP script)
You can then use a generic OEM product key , (which some OEMs like Dell had on their support pages) so you don't have to use the product key on the COA sticker.

kiriakost · Jan 5, 2023

OEM recovery DVD this is an HDD image, usable at specific laptop model.
This image it is stored at the hidden partition.
If you are smart, you do activate the software this copying this single image at several DVD.

SONY for example, they do not sale any recovery DVD, if you lose the opportunity to make your own DVD backup prior HDD failure, then there is no help from SONY.

ThrashZone · Jan 5, 2023

Hi,
In the US oem's stopped sending recovery disks and just prompted users to make one them themselves via their installed crapware

Think this started when Vista released which was a lot larger os than x-p
This is why oem's stopped doing it
They couldn't get the os and all their crapware on one dvd :laugh:

SentinelAeon · Jan 5, 2023

Wow, thanks for all the replies guys,

I see i left out some important information. The laptops are mostly not working, im just keeping them for spare parts. The disks were either destroyed long ago or formated, so using HDD or DVD for this purpose isnt an option. I am left with computer cases that have the windows 7 sticker and key on it that no one is using. In the past i tried some of them, i remember that 1 of them installed windows 7 normaly on 1 of my computer, just as if i used a bought from online cd key. But another cd key i remember said something like, this is OEM key and is not meant for installing or something, contact OEM. If nothing else, for curiosity sake i would like to test which ones actualy work and if by some stroke of luck i could actualy upgrade to windows 10, i have 2 media computers that could benefit from running those. For others, occasionaly someone wants windows 7 or even older windows, even if its no longer supported, maybe for specific piece of hardware that only works on older windows.

Reading the posts someone mentioned media creation tool and i do indeed remember that i used this tool. Though if i remember correctly both keys went through with this tool but then when i had to activate, 1 of the keys worked, the other gave me OEM error. I will try it with the keys i have and i will also try the showkeyplus. I dont plan to use those keys for my main computer, only for computers where security isnt an issue. Or at least to figure out that they no longer work so i can throw the stickers away without feeling bad.

Thank you for the help, amazing response, will let u know how it goes

Sasqui · Jan 6, 2023

SentinelAeon said:
Wow, thanks for all the replies guys,

I see i left out some important information. The laptops are mostly not working, im just keeping them for spare parts. The disks were either destroyed long ago or formated, so using HDD or DVD for this purpose isnt an option. I am left with computer cases that have the windows 7 sticker and key on it that no one is using. In the past i tried some of them, i remember that 1 of them installed windows 7 normaly on 1 of my computer, just as if i used a bought from online cd key. But another cd key i remember said something like, this is OEM key and is not meant for installing or something, contact OEM. If nothing else, for curiosity sake i would like to test which ones actualy work and if by some stroke of luck i could actualy upgrade to windows 10, i have 2 media computers that could benefit from running those. For others, occasionaly someone wants windows 7 or even older windows, even if its no longer supported, maybe for specific piece of hardware that only works on older windows.

Reading the posts someone mentioned media creation tool and i do indeed remember that i used this tool. Though if i remember correctly both keys went through with this tool but then when i had to activate, 1 of the keys worked, the other gave me OEM error. I will try it with the keys i have and i will also try the showkeyplus. I dont plan to use those keys for my main computer, only for computers where security isnt an issue. Or at least to figure out that they no longer work so i can throw the stickers away without feeling bad.

Thank you for the help, amazing response, will let u know how it goes

MS has a shadow policy for Win 10 upgrades, but way more on the plus side than negative... in my experience (with over a half dozen laptops) very recently. TBH, I haven't plugged in a single COA code, just installed windows and it either self activated or not. When they did not activate, I used one of the sites TPU uses as a sponsor, never had a problem and you can't bitch at the price.

My understanding was OEM Win 7 codes would never activate a Win 10 retail version, but I've had several laptops that seemed to... it's possible those had Win 8 OEM included, but downgraded to Win 7 by Dell. As far as I know, those laptops never saw WIn 8 or Win 10... it was all Win 7 till the jump to Win 10

Please post an update!

kiriakost · Jan 6, 2023

Most complains at Microsoft forum about blocked path to downgrade again at Win 7 was from DELL owners.
(This is my last memory about this story)

Once, it was available at Microsoft, Win 7 valid keys check, but again only for retail licenses.
If you did pass the exams, you were able to download the appropriate win7 installation file due their servers.
Microsoft is famous at deploy tools and pull their plug too.

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How to check validity of windows activation key

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