Windows 7 key?

Auraomega

Auraomega

Auraomega

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Joined
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Well I just installed Win7 and after finish the install I got the desktop... but no key request. I've not installed a retail OS since WinXP so I don't know if this is right?

I know I can put my key in on the system properties section, it says I have 30 days to register and all that, but should I have seen one during the initial installation?

Only asking because I bought it from a seller I've never heard of before (delivery price from here bumped price right up), just want to make certain everything is above board :)
 
It should have requested a key during install, along with offering to activate, but it's skippable and as you said you can enter the key and activate in system properties.
 
Do you reckon I'm right to suspect something untoward based on the fact it didn't ask? I used the 64bit disc and chose a custom install if it makes any difference.
 
If you can put it in and active it fine after install I wouldn't be too worried, pretty sure enterprise edition doesn't ask for a key during install, but my retail ones both did (home premium and pro).
 
Check in System Properties - it will tell you if you have entered a key or not, and if it is registered here or not.

If you have the product key, then put it there and validate, worry over.
 
Ok I'll do that later (means reconnecting my old HDD and restarting my PC), I was trying to avoid activating the install just yet, only wanted to test the install worked ok for after Christmas, is there any way to "de-register" Win7? Kind of like some software out there?
 
Ok finally got round to activating Win7...

It didn't ask me for a key, at all, I clicked activate and it activated with the "key" that was already in. This key did not match the key inside the box...

Images (with key hidden):
1
2

:confused:
 
Did you do a clean install, or an upgrade?

And was the old install a version installed by an OEM such as Dell, Toshiba etc?
 
Clean install, however the PC is an OEM (I read that some Win7 discs don't require activation or something when used with certain OEM BIOS I think?).
 
Interesting.

Never heard about the OEM BIOS - I thought that only applied if the discs were provided by some OEMs, I believe Dell is one of them. Although I can't be sure this is 100% accurate.
 
Yep, I assumed it was OEM disc limited too.

There was a crack released for Win7 before Win7 was sold I believe, which used this method to bypass activation, something I found whilst searching info on this whole charade, it doesn't appear like fake discs are being sold though which is a plus, more chance of this being geniune :)

(Note to self: buy from respectable places in future!)

If any mods want me to remove the info posted here edit away, not sure if this counts as breaking the rules or not :/
 
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If one does not enter a key/serial then MS put one in for you. I think your more than likely do have a genuinee copy!
Your Bios would have to have SLIC 2.1 which they surely can't have in order to OEM etc your copy.
Jellybean will tell you what your key is.
 
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@MeatLoaf:
I thought everything looked above board with the discs/box/etc, but good to get some reassurance.

@marmalade:
Come again? Why would Microsoft 'hard code' a serial into my disc, only to supply a completely different one on the sticker?

Is there any way to check the SLIC 2.1? I said this PC was OEM, I didn't mention it was a Vista OEM, maybe that's why, it was purchased way before the whole free Win7 upgrade for Vista users thing though?

Jellybean doesn't really show me anything I don't already know, it tells me my serial in the system properties window.

EDIT:
Wait a minute, I think I've finally clicked on /facepalm

EDIT2:
I checked with Jellybean, and it appears the key is the same as what is in the box, I had got confused with the product ID. I still find it odd the key is on the disc itself, but I think everything is above board :)
 
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