Windows 7 activation failed - No problem! If your Windows 7 activation has failed, your trial period has expired, or you simply don’t know how to activate Windows 7, there is a very simple and reliable way, and absolutely free. On this moment There have been enough methods for activating the seven, among which specially written programs, such as the Windows 7 maximum activator, have occupied a special place. Using them is quite trivial and the Windows 7 activation process follows an algorithm in several stages. Typically, activating Windows 7 takes no more than five minutes, and when using some activators, even less than a minute. As a rule, most people want everything at once, so many will be most interested in the Windows 7 maximum activator, why do we need stripped-down Windows when the maximum version with all the bells and whistles is freely available. It’s easier to activate Windows 7 Ultimate using the same techniques and use the operating system without restrictions. To download the Windows 7 maximum activator, you need to disable the antivirus, because any activator is essentially a crack, and naturally the Windows developers made sure that their product was sold and not used for free, which is why the most famous Windows 7 activators are included in antivirus blacklists. In order to successfully activate Windows 7 and subsequently not lose activation, you must correctly perform manipulations for each individual activator. Read the descriptions carefully and remember that failure to follow the instructions for installing activators for Windows 7 will not solve the activation issue or may even disrupt the operation of the system, for which all responsibility rests with you.
Windows Loader Activator by Daz
One of those few programs that everyone should have in stock for a rainy day. Windows user 7. Windows Loader allows you to activate almost any edition of the Windows 7 operating system with the click of one button - from Starter Edition to extended versions of Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise, including 32 and 64-bit platforms.Download activator Windows Loader by Daz 2.2.1. detailed instructions.
Video instructions for activation
Please also pay attention to this: In the descriptions of many activators there is often a promise that the system will be verified for authenticity and the activation will not fail. Yes, this is true, but not entirely, the fact is that Microsoft is constantly monitoring new ways to bypass legal activation, and improving its products to detect such facts. Specifically: its “important” security update for Windows KV971033. This is the license authentication (activation) file. So if today your OS easily passes all authentication checks, then tomorrow after the next update KB971033, your Windows 7 activation may well fail. Well, here we come to what needs to be done to ensure that Activation never fails:
To do this, go to the uninstall programs window:
Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. At the top left, click on “view installed updates”:
In the next window we look for installed update KV971033, if it exists, click on it with the mouse (select it) and click on “delete” at the top. 
In principle, that’s it, you can run the activator you selected and downloaded for Windows 7. But in order to ensure that the activation of Windows 7 never fails, you need to do the following (either before activation or after activation, it doesn’t matter): Option 1: You can disable updates altogether in Windows Update, then activation will certainly NEVER fail. Or at least turn it off automatic update: center Windows updates> customize settings > and select "download updates, but I decide whether to install them." Then, when installing updates, you need to monitor and prevent the installation of KB971033. To prevent the support center from bothering you with messages about disabled updates, check the “do not notify” box.
Option 2: If the system prompts you to install updates (the command “download updates should be pre-installed, but the decision to install is made by me”), or go to the update center yourself, start searching for new updates, then select update KV971033 and click on it right click mice, in context menu Select "hide update".
All! Update Center will ignore the unfortunate update. You can put the command about automatic installation updates in the update center.
In the next window:
How to check activation.
Computer > System Properties (top). At the bottom of the window there should be an inscription: Windows activation completed: 
Activating Windows 7 without activator and entering keys
A very interesting method in which Windows 7 is activated without using an activator and without entering keys. This approach allows you to extend the trial of using the operating system to 120 days, which allows you to gain time for searching and entering a license key, a suitable activator, or purchasing genuine Windows 7. This method is relevant for activating Windows 7 of any version and is recommended for use on an OS for a period of 30- those day trial for which has not expired, otherwise you will still need to enter a license key for Windows 7 or use activators.It is known that after installation, Windows 7 works in evaluation mode (trial), which lasts for 30 days, so it would be advisable to activate Windows 7 without entering keys at the end of the trial period, for example, on the penultimate day.
Instructions for Windows activation 7 without activator and key entry:
We launch the “Start” menu and enter the “cmd” command in the request field, right-click on the icon of the found program and select “Run as administrator”, after which you should start a command line interpreter, i.e. black window.
In the window that opens, you need to enter one of two commands: rundll32 slc.dll,SLReArmWindows or slmgr.vbs /rearm then confirm by pressing the “Enter” key and restart the computer.
If after a reboot you see a reset trial in the properties, then you did everything right. You can repeat this procedure for activating Windows 7 without an activator and entering keys, or rather extend the trial, four times. To obtain a license copies of Windows 7 this method will not work, which means there is a need to use keys or activators, one of the most promising of which is the Windows 7 Loader eXtreme Edition activator, as well as activators from Daz and Khazar.
Lists of keys for Windows 7
If for some reason your computer brand is not on the list, but you know that you have, for example, Windows 7 Ultimate installed, then feel free to use the keys for Windows 7 Ultimate.Keys for Windows 7 ULTIMATE (OEM-8992662)
FJGCP-4DFJD-GJY49-VJBQ7-HYRR2 – ACER/GATEWAY/PACKARD
VQ3PY-VRX6D-CBG4J-8C6R2-TCVBD – ALIENWARE
2Y4WT-DHTBF-Q6MMK-KYK6X-VKM6G – ASUS
342DG-6YJR8-X92GV-V7DCV-P4K27 – DELL
9CW99-79BBF-D4M3X-9BK9M-4RPH9 – FUJITSU
MHFPT-8C8M2-V9488-FGM44-2C9T3 – HP
6K2KY-BFH24-PJW6W-9GK29-TMPWP – LENOVO/IBM
49PB6-6BJ6Y-KHGCQ-7DDY6-TF7CD – SAMSUNG
YJJYR-666KV-8T4YH-KM9TB-4PY2W – SONY
2WX6M-X2HKM-86X8X-2QD44-F3FGJ – ?????
78FPJ-C8Q77-QV7B8-9MH3V-XXBTK – ?????
Windows 7 ULTIMATE E key (OEM-8992662)
278MV-DKMGJ-F3P9F-TD7Y3-W6G3M – HP/COMPAQ
Keys for Windows 7 PROFESSIONAL (OEM-8992671)
YKHFT-KW986-GK4PY-FDWYH-7TP9F – ACER/GATEWAY/PACKARD
4CFBX-7HQ6R-3JYWF-72GXP-4MV6W – ALIENWARE
2WCJK-R8B4Y-CWRF2-TRJKB-PV9HW – ASUS
6BJ27-DVBFF-VKQC8-7JPQP-TJKYY – DEALIN
32KD2-K9CTF-M3DJT-4J3WC-733WD – DELL
PT9YK-BC2J9-WWYF9-R9DCR-QB9CK – FUJITSU
2QTV2-3CMPP-FQBYK-GRD62-D7XMW – HCL
74T2M-DKDBC-788W3-H689G-6P6GT – HP
32HPJ-4XRDR-424C8-DYQM9-GM768 – KRAFTWAY
237XB-GDJ7B-MV8MH-98QJM-24367 – LENOVO/IBM
2QGXM-V9W9W-6Q7MR-64C4X-R26CV – LG ?
2WGY7-J3JQT-78CF9-J6DHQ-DJTQW – MECER
2W3CX-YD4YJ-DF9B2-V27M6-77GMF – MSI
GMJQF-JC7VC-76HMH-M4RKY-V4HX6 – SAMSUNG
H9M26-6BXJP-XXFCY-7BR4V-24X8J – SONY
7RQGM-4BJBD-GM2YY-R2KTT-43HG8 – STEG
2V8P2-QKJWM-4THM3-74PDB-4P2KH – TOSHIBA
W2PMW-T7DBH-YHKRM-DXXF6-KP4KT – TOSHIBA
6JKVQ-WJTWW-JVPRB-77TGD-2DV7M – WORTMANN
BV4Y4-DVXDT-3FC64-X2QR7-DW82M – ?????
6FWJ7-TDRCV-BYTP3-JWB98-9J64J – ?????
862R9-99CD6-DD6WM-GHDG2-Y8M37 – ?????
7QY32-TQCBJ-G7MC8-Y4PGF-7TGB8 – ?????
36KXM-JVMP6-88WMK-YCCGV-YFDVX – ?????
CRYGF-JG347-QPJKH-BR82M-3MQP3 – ?????
7MB39-TFBVT-9KJKK-6G7H4-66Y7W – ?????
Key for Windows 7 PROFESSIONAL E (OEM-8992671)
P42PH-HYD6B-Y3DHY-B79JH-CT8YK – HP/COMPAQ
Keys for Windows 7 HOME BASIC (OEM-8992752)
MB4HF-2Q8V3-W88WR-K7287-2H4CP – ACER/GATEWAY/PACKARD
89G97-VYHYT-Y6G8H-PJXV6-77GQM – ASUS
6M78P-JJRQP-9C4RX-RPK7G-3VTH3 – DEALIN
36T88-RT7C6-R38TQ-RV8M9-WWTCY – DELL
7WGMV-QFYXX-64DCG-HQFWM-DWGKY – FOUNDER
8W3JQ-BP2HY-F47QX-6CQ94-2BKQB – FUJITSU
2Q4QP-8P4MD-47YBP-7TXX9-FKDRM – HCL
DX8R9-BVCGB-PPKRR-8J7T4-TJHTH – HP
82P6X-KGH24-FCPXC-XQKC9-74KC8 – KSystems
22MFQ-HDH7V-RBV79-QMVK9-PTMXQ – LENOVO/IBM
2TY7W-H4DD4-MB62F-BD9C3-88TM6 – MSI
2P6PB-G7YVY-W46VJ-BXJ36-PGGTG – SAMSUNG
YV7QQ-RCXQ9-KTBHC-YX3FG-FKRW8 – SONY
9DBMT-GXRWM-6Q9Y3-WMYM8-FJCBW – TONGFANG
9H4FH-VD69Y-TGBD2-4PM4K-DRMMH – TOSHIBA
Keys for Windows 7 HOME PREMIUM (OEM-8992687)
VQB3X-Q3KP8-WJ2H8-R6B6D-7QJB7 – ACER/GATEWAY/PACKARD
38JTJ-VBPFW-XFQDR-PJ794-8447M – ADVENT
V3Y2W-CMF9W-PGT9C-777KD-32W74 – ALIENWARE
2QDBX-9T8HR-2QWT6-HCQXJ-9YQTR – ASUS
7JQWQ-K6KWQ-BJD6C-K3YVH-DVQJG – ASUS (Eee PC)
8YDX9-B7MMG-82XD9-V88G9-MR92T – DEALIN
6RBBT-F8VPQ-QCPVQ-KHRB8-RMV82 – DELL
83K3W-QH8JT-T7KBY-9FQB6-V9R8H – DELL
C6MHH-TRRPT-74TDC-FHRMV-XB88W – FUJITSU
3743C-T6892-B4PHM-JHFKY-4BB7W – GIGABYTE
39QDH-D7MHH-WDMTD-TM2R9-KM7DB – HCL
4FG99-BC3HD-73CQT-WMF7J-3Q6C9 – HP
27GBM-Y4QQC-JKHXW-D9W83-FJQKD – LENOVO/IBM
38GRR-KMG3D-BTP99-TC9G4-BBDJJ – LG
2P2P9-CM3F8-FTV6P-PC7CX-8TFF7 – MEDION
4G3GR-J6JDJ-D96PV-T9B9D-M8X2Q – MSI
CQBVJ-9J697-PWB9R-4K7W4-2BT4J – SAMSUNG
C3V4C-6Y6WM-DGRM9-QJG82-8K3FP – SHUTTLE
HWDFB-YVFG4-3TJ7F-Q3WMT-7B6PH – SIRAGON
H4JWX-WHKWT-VGV87-C7XPK-CGKHQ – SONY
6B88K-KCCWY-4F8HK-M4P73-W8DQG – TOSHIBA
6GF36-P4HWR-BFF84-6GFC2-BWX77 – TOSHIBA
C23T3-9F2T2-FPWBM-XYMW2-272J9 – VIEWSONIC
2XPWB-Q64BJ-W8CT3-WJTWT-4DQ99 – ?????
TTJQ7-4PFJC-6JFJ8-B22VD-VXW88 – ?????
GFDW7-7T4B9-VB8W7-TTHRM-JG2KB – ?????
CPF7K-XP3YV-JVHHF-YMMRD-Y4Y9K – ?????
7K377-DVP2Q-YGWJG-3M3G7-RBCDP – ?????
BVQFP-FKQGV-J82F3-2JTVV-733D2 – ?????
76QPJ-99DMC-MW43P-8JKHY-6YMRQ – ?????
Key for Windows 7 HOME PREMIUM E (OEM-8992687)
TD77M-HH38J-FBCB8-8QX7Y-P2QH3 – HP/COMPAQ
Keys for Windows 7 STARTER (OEM-8992752) (OEM-8992707)
RDJXR-3M32B-FJT32-QMPGB-GCFF6 – ACER/GATEWAY/PACKARD
6K6WB-X73TD-KG794-FJYHG-YCJVG – ASUS (Eee)
6PB94-MC2C6-4F37H-KTJ32-PF2PT – CASPERERA
BB2KM-PDWW3-99H7J-F7B9R-FXKF6 – COMPAQ/HP
36Q3Y-BBT84-MGJ3H-FT7VD-FG72J – DELL
BHP4B-MXP9G-RG7KQ-T8R84-CW3D3 – ECS
4FRH4-WQDGJ-M9HRY-K73D8-RGT3C – EXPER
BRFCY-XMXRV-28JHQ-F6D9B-BV73C – HANNSPREE
RH98C-M9PW4-6DHR7-X99PJ-3FGDB – HP/COMPAQ
PMXH9-M23P9-QJJMB-2FWRC-7CDKP – FUJITSU
273P4-GQ8V6-97YYM-9YTHF-DC2VP – LENOVO/IBM
22P26-HD8YH-RD96C-28R8J-DCT28 – LENOVO/IBM
2K8WH-JVQDM-C9HVC-YR2XC-8M76G – MEDION
2W4DJ-JFFJV-DMCPP-2C3X8-883DP – MSI
2YKPV-BFXFW-X8GJQ-9KQFF-KCXGD – MSI
2XGHP-9TQK2-8CF28-BM2P2-8FRX8 – NOKIA
344HQ-3YHDT-C7VCT-BDPBV-4KTR3 – OLIDATA
PV9BD-YBRX6-CTMG6-CCMJY-X8XG7 – SAMSUNG
32J2V-TGQCY-9QJXP-Q3FVT-X8BQ7 – SONY
TGBKB-9KBGJ-3Y3J6-K8M2F-J2HJQ – TOSHIBA
6TQ9G-QB2WK-FM2TB-CKBDP-9D6HM – VIEWSONIC
7W842-2HCPJ-BC3MJ-B79K6-TD2HQ – VILIV
6CYKC-TDDYQ-K4B6G-HQD89-CWDP3 – ?????
4HGWK-KHT8C-J2KCF-F3PVF-44PD4 – ?????
32TF3-PT6YV-V6GCK-RR8GM-VM4QG – ?????
6HKDD-HMKWQ-74YC4-2B8C3-MPG6R – ?????
Key for Windows 7 STARTER E (OEM-8993706)
C3HY9-34XKR-6Y9Y9-RB7TR-84KWG – HP/COMPAQ
The Windows operating system is a paid product developed by Microsoft. To protect against piracy, a special system has been developed - activation. This article discusses in detail how to properly activate Windows 7, why it is needed, and what will happen if this is not done.
Need for activation
If you purchase a licensed operating system distribution Windows systems in a box - you get a set of DVD disc and a key. The disk is required to install the OS on your Personal Computer. Using the key, the activation itself is performed, that is, confirmation that you purchased this disk and that the system from it is installed on only 1 PC.
If you buy a system online, you will most likely only receive a key. The installer will need to be downloaded online as ISO image, which needs to be placed on bootable flash drive for subsequent installation.
In both cases, users first install the system and then confirm their rights using an activation code. If you just downloaded an unofficial pirated release, you will need to hack the security system using special programs. Otherwise, the computer will actively interfere with your work.
Here is an approximate list of what will happen if you do not activate your OS:
Immediately after installing the OS, the computer will prompt you to enter your registration key. If you have it, this is the most convenient way. You don't need to go anywhere and look for different menus. You need to connect your PC to the Internet and enter the purchased code. Then wait a moment while your OS is verified by the Microsoft server and registered in the registry. 
Activation after installation
If you first installed the operating system and only then decided to activate it and purchased a key, this part of the guide is for you. There is nothing complicated in this process - just follow the step-by-step instructions provided:
Wait until the PC contacts the server and confirms that the key you entered is correct. The rest of the guide describes how to activate Windows 7 without having a license code.
Activators
If you don't need services technical support, and you are not going to upgrade to “ten”, you can use a free activator program. They hack the security system, making the computer think that Windows is activated. The most popular activators are Loader by Daz and Chew7. They don't need installation.
Just find one of these programs on the Internet, launch it and click “Activate”. After this, your PC will automatically restart and you will have a fully working OS.
Activating the operating system on the Windows platform is proof that the product installed on your computer is official and does not contain malware or third-party software.
For this purpose, the system has been specially introduced two-stage system checks. First you enter serial number program during installation, and then activate the product.
Such precautions help the manufacturer to combat violations user agreement and block copies.
Activation keys are distributed in several ways:
How to activate Windows 7, 8, 10
Let's look at how you can activate the most popular OS - 7\8.1\10.
To register Windows 7 necessary:
- In the lower left corner of the screen, click the button Start;
- On the panel that appears, click on the button - Computer;
- On the ribbon of suggested actions that appears, click – Properties;
- A window will appear in front of you with the parameters of your OS. At the bottom there will be an activation line.
- Once the Internet is detected, you will be prompted activate product.
- After entering the administrator password, enter registration key.
Thanks to new OS capabilities, it is now possible to register a program with mobile device . To do this you need to take the following steps:
- Click menu Start and select a section Computer;
- In the section that appears, click Properties – Activate Windows;
- In the window that opens, select the display item other ways registration;
- Then, you will be asked to enter the key and click Next;
- After the above procedures, click Use an automated telephone system;
- After selecting your location, click Further and select one of the available phones in the list, after which you will be sent instructions for the further activation process.
Registration Windows 8.1 generally similar. But eight doesn’t come easy. It doesn't have the classic start icon. To get to the activation menu, follow these steps:
- Find the shortcut on your desktop Computer;
- Open it and in the window that appears at the top, find OS properties and click on it.
- Then everything is identical to Win 7
To activate Win 10 necessary:
- Click on the panel Start and in the list of actions that appears, click on This computer;
- A window with system parameters will open, after which you you can activate your product similar to 7\8.
Let's briefly talk about free update from 7\8.1 to 10. This is done using the following steps:
Separately, I would like to talk about third-party activators. Now it has become popular to activate the system without using official keys. On the one hand it is convenient. You can save money. But on the other hand, you are jeopardizing the use of your OS without official support. In addition, these programs often contain viruses and worms that impair the performance of the PC.
To activate the Windows operating system, a special license key product. The Windows product key used to activate the system differs depending on the operating system version (Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, etc.), OS edition (Home, Pro, etc.), distribution method (OEM, Retail etc).
To activate the Windows operating system, a product key is used, consisting of 25 characters in the form of numbers and capital (upper case) English letters, divided into 5 groups of 5 characters: “XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX”.
Laptops used to often have a Windows activation key stuck to it. Currently, laptop manufacturers with pre-installed operating systems embed the product key into the BIOS to automatically activate Windows.
If the system is reinstalled, or for some other reason (for example, activation failed after a hardware failure), the user may need a Windows product key. How to find out your Windows activation key?
You can find out the license key of your installed Windows by running a special VBS script, as well as using five programs: ProduKey, ShowKeyPlus, Free PC Audit, Speccy, AIDA64, SIW. All listed programs are free, except AIDA64 and SIW.
Script with ".vbs" extension and portable free programs(ProduKey, ShowKeyPlus, Free PC Audit) can be downloaded from here. Download the rest of the programs to your computer from the official websites of the manufacturers.
Using these methods you can find out Windows key 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10. After you have found out the Windows product key, the obtained data is for subsequent use, in case of reinstallation of the operating system, to activate the operating system.
How to find out the Windows key in ProduKey
The free ProduKey program from the well-known manufacturer NirSoft does not require installation on your computer. The application shows keys to Windows OS and browser Internet Explorer,Microsoft Office.
Unpack the archive with the program, and then run the “Application” file from the folder. After launch, the ProduKey utility window will display the key for the installed operating system.
Select the entry with the key for Windows 10, or another operating system, and then select “Copy Product Key” from the context menu to copy the activation key to the clipboard.
We look at the license key in ShowKeyPlus
The free ShowKeyPlus program does not require installation on your computer. After launch, in the application window you will see the following information:
- Product Name - the operating system currently installed on the computer
- Product ID - product code
- Installed Key - the key of the operating system currently installed on the computer
- OEM Key - a key embedded in the BIOS of the laptop with the originally installed operating system
To save the data, click on the “Save” button, and then the received information in a text format file.
How to view the Windows key in Free PC Audit
The free program Free PC Audit will help you find out the key installed Windows. This program does not require installation on your computer. Run the utility file, after which a window will open Free programs PC Audit, which will begin scanning the system.
After the scan is completed, in the “System” tab, opposite the “Windows product key” item, you will see the product key of the installed Windows operating system.
To copy the key, select the line with the license key, and then using the “Copy” context menu item, or using the “Ctrl” + “C” keys, copy the Windows product key from the utility window.
How to find out Windows 8 key using VBScrit
Activation keys for the Windows operating system are stored on the hard drive in encrypted form. Executing the VBScrit script will allow you to obtain the product key of the installed operating system in decrypted form. This script was developed for the Windows 8 operating system, but this code also works fine in the Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7 operating systems.
To perform the operation, double-click on the “WindowsKey.vbs” file. In the window that opens, you will see the Windows activation code. Next, click on the “OK” button.
The next window will display information about the operating system version, product ID and product key number. Ignore the title of the entry "Windows 8 Key". The name of this OS will be displayed on any version of the Windows operating system.
Getting a Windows key in Speccy
Free Speccy program from the well-known company Piriform, manufacturer of CCleaner and other software. You can download the portable version of Speccy from the official website. There is a paid version of the program with advanced features.
The program provides the user detailed information about hardware computer, you can also use the application to find out the license key of the installed Windows.
Launch the Speccy program, in the “Operating System” section the version of the installed operating system and its serial number (activation key) will be displayed.
Finding out the product key in AIDA64
AIDA64 is a powerful program for obtaining all kinds of information about computer software and hardware.
After launching the AIDA64 program, license information, including the Windows product key, will be displayed in the “Menu” tab, in the “Operating System” section.
Select the product key, select “Copy” in the context menu, then paste the key into Notepad or another similar program to save.
Read the program overview.
Key information in SIW
SIW (System Information of Windows) is a program for obtaining information about the hardware status and software computer.
After launching SIW, go to the “Programs”, “Licenses” section. This will display information about the product key that is used in the Windows operating system installed on your computer.
Incorrect product key
When checking keys using the methods listed above, the Windows product key may appear as follows: “BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB”.
This means that your computer is activated with a corporate MAK or VLK key. Operating Windows does not save such keys, so programs do not see them.
Used in Windows 10 new method System authentication (not available in all cases on Windows 10). The activation record is stored on servers and is not displayed on the computer. After reinstallation, Windows activates itself for some time.
Maintaining the license depends on changing the computer hardware configuration. In case of replacement motherboard, Microsoft activation servers revoke the license for of this computer. Windows OS will offer to purchase new key product.
Conclusions of the article
If necessary, the user can find out the license code of the Windows operating system by running a VBS script, or using specialized programs: ProduKey, ShowKeyPlus, Free PC Audit, Speccy, AIDA64, SIW.
Windows activation is a procedure to confirm the legality and authenticity of a product. From the point of view of the law and the developer, if your system works, this does not always mean that the product is licensed. KMS, SLIC tables, corporate keys (MSDN and Dream Spark as well) are not always a guarantee of license confirmation. This article will describe basic activation methods if you have the original product key.
First, you need to determine your license type. OS Windows is divided into several types of licenses:
- Retail, Box (FPP, ESD) version. The version purchased separately from the device (except for the OEM package) previously included a box with a disk, key and documentation, hence the name Box edition. This license applies to 1 device with the ability to transfer to other PCs. Also, some “old” versions of Office distributed in the Box version could be used on several devices at once.
- OEM – version, assembly kit, pre-installed version. The most common version for home users. The OEM version of Windows is usually provided with the purchased laptop, all-in-one or system unit; the cost of this license is already included in the price of the device. This license cannot be transferred to other equipment (according to the terms of the agreement) and should only be used on the device that was purchased with it.
- Windows 10 Digital License– a license linked to the hash amount of your equipment at the time of updating the activated system with Windows versions 7.8 or 8.1. After the release of Windows 10 version 1511 ( Anniversary Update) the digital license is also tied to your account Microsoft for the convenience of reactivating Windows 10 when changing hardware.
- Volume Licensing – corporate version for a large fleet of devices (often used by “pirates”), multiple activation keys, keys for KMS servers.
This article will describe methods for Retail, OEM and digital licenses, since they are the most common option when used at home.
Windows version and license differences
Retail version (FPP - Full Product Package) is a full-fledged product that you can completely control. The kit includes installation disk, persons agreement, product key. For some versions of Windows 10, the kit included a USB drive with an image, documentation, and a product key.
The Retail version also includes CCP (Compliance Checking Program) keys and version upgrade keys. They were mainly popular when Windows 8 was released; on the Microsoft website you could buy a CCP activation key for Windows 8 Pro, although Windows 7 was required for the update. At the moment, you can easily activate Windows 8 and 8.1 with this key, however, in case of an error, you will need to contact to the support service.
There is also an ESD version, Electronic Software Delivery is a method of delivering software via e-mail. You need to enter the key that is sent to you by email. Basically, this version is currently sold for Windows 10, Office 2016, Office 365.
OEM - a version that is only available to PC builders and is therefore not usually sold ordinary users, but they can still be found on sale. The key may be in the form of a sticker on the body of your system unit, laptop or monoblock. It has also become common to embed activation keys into the motherboard memory, the so-called SLIC tables.
Basically the order is:
- Windows installation(If Windows system 10 and a digital license is present, then activation will take place automatically)
- Entering Product Key into the system (if the version does not match, return to step 1)
- Activation via the Internet (if there is no Internet or an error appears, go to step 4)
- Activating Windows by phone
On the Internet
First of all, you need to make sure that the editors installed version and product keys match. Click on the Start button, then right-click Computer and select Properties. Your edition will be written in the Windows edition line. Also, Windows edition can be determined by entering the winver command in the search bar or in the Run window (Win+R).
If the key and the system match, then we move on to the next stage.
There is a menu in the system properties window Change product key, or you can open the input window by launching the Run window (press the Win+R key combinations) and entering the slui 3 command. The Product Key entry window will open, where you will need to insert a 25-digit code.
After verification, activation will occur or an error will occur. Depending on the operation of the services, the correctness of the key entry and the installation of the correct version of Windows, the error may vary.
Via command line
The command line and the SLMGR parameter can help you.
Slmgr /dli – the command displays license information, status and the last 5 characters of the activation key.
Slmgr /ipk [Product Key] – using this command, You can enter the Product Key into the system.
Slmgr /ato is a command that performs forced activation.
Slmgr /rearm – Resets activation timers.
Slmgr /rilc – Causes the reinstallation of all licenses stored in the %SystemRoot%\system32\oem and %SystemRoot%\System32\spp\tokens directories.
Slmgr /cpky – deleting a key.
To reset the system license, the commands are executed in the following order: Slmgr /cpky, Slmgr /rilc, Slmgr /rearm.
By phone
Depending on your Internet connection, you may be required to activate by phone (if it is not possible to connect to the server or activation using this key was performed within 60 days on other equipment).
If the code is entered incorrectly or is incorrect, you will be redirected to the support service, where a live person will ask again for the Installation Code and advise on any questions that may arise.
Before calling the activation window, make sure that the key is entered into the system. To do this, you can use the Slmgr /dli command. If the last 5 characters of the key match the activation key, then call the activation window by phone by entering the command slui 4.
We select the country and in the next window the phone number of the activation service will be displayed, as well as the Installation code, just below there will be an enter button Confirmation code.
First of all, call the number provided and enter the Installation Code. If the code is entered correctly, a Confirmation Code will be dictated to you. If, at one of the stages, you make a mistake, you will be redirected to a service specialist, where they will help you.
By phone via command line
If the installation code is not displayed, then it will help you again Command line
Slmgr /dti – the command will display the installation code.
Slmgr /dlv [Verification Code] – the command will enter a confirmation code and perform activation (you may also need to run the Slmgr /ato command).
Windows activation errors
| Error code | Description |
|---|---|
| 0xC004C003, 0xC004C060, 0xC004C4A2, 0xC004C4A2, 0x803FA067L, 0xC004C001, 0xC004C004, 0xC004F004, 0xC004C007, 0xC004F005, 0 xC004C00F, 0xC004C010, 0xC004C00E, 0xC004C4A4, 0xC004C4A5, 0xC004B001, 0xC004F010, 0xC004F050 | The product key you entered cannot be used to activate Windows. Check that the key is entered correctly and that it matches the version of Windows 7 |
| 0xD0000272, 0xC0000272, 0xc004C012, 0xC004C013, 0xC004C014 | The activation server is unavailable, try again later or use a different Internet connection. |
| 0xC004E003 | 99% that the key is blocked. |
| 0xc004f057 | Enter the following commands: Slmgr /cpky Slmgr /rearm Slmgr/rilc |
| 0x80072EE7 | There is no Internet, connect another Internet or activate by phone. |
| 0xc004f012 | Run in cmd: net stop sppsvc Cd %windir%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WSLicense Ren tokens.dat tokens.bar Net start sppsvc Cscript.exe %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /rilc |
| 0xC0000022 0x80070426 |
Changing the owner and access rights to a partition to the All group to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA branch Grant full access to c:\windows\system32\spp |
Have a great day!