Clean install of Windows 7 using OEM key (and avoid using ABR)

I did a search in these forums on creating an OEM image of Windows 7 for my HP Envy 14 and could find nothing. So I decided to do some research.

I found plenty of information on using an application called "Activation Backup and Restore" (ABR) to backup license keys but this was not my preferred approach. I'm rather skeptical of ABR, so I resolved to find a way to convert a Retail Windows 7 image into an HP OEM one which would not require activation. I was successful and steps are below:

Extract the Windows 7 installation files to a directory of your choice. (You can follow the steps here if you need help.)

Click here to download HPs OEM folder for Windows 7 Home Premium. This archive contains HPs OEM key and certificate. AFAIK, this is NOT the same thing as the key on the Certificate of Authenticity (CoA) sticker on the bottom of your laptop.

Prior to making your new Windows 7 install, copy the $oem$ directory from the archive and everything in it to the \sources directory of whatever Windows 7 install you're using.

Re-create your installation media (USB, DVD, ISO, whatever) and install Windows. When the installation process is complete, you should NOT be prompted to activate. You are done.

NOTE: This process will not pre-activate Windows for just any computer. (So if you're looking for a freebie, this isn't it.) The Windows installation process checks for the existence of certain values in a computers BIOS. It compares those values against the key and certificate supplied above and if it doesn't like what it sees, it doesn't activate. The HP OEM key / certificate are only good for HP computers with the correct values burned into their BIOSes (HP Envy 14 being one of them).

 

I've always used the key on the bottom of the laptop and its always worked. Weird.

 

As it should. However, if you follow the procedure in the OP, you'll end up with a OEM version of Windows 7 installation media that

1) Does not need you to enter a key. HPs OEM key is used instead.

2) Does not require activation. The install process will scan the BIOS and see that the OEM key is legit and put Windows in an activated state.

This process saves you a few steps (no need to manually enter a key, no need to install ABR). For the purists out there, this process also mimics a factory install more closely (minus the bloatware) since it uses the original OEM key and a virgin copy of Windows 7.