The Windows 7 Home Premium product key you typed is invalid for activation

I just got an error today:

I did a clean install of windows 7 on monday (3/29), but not with my recovery discs. When that was done I used the key on the bottom my laptop. Then today I got this error. I tried typing the same key again and still get the same error.

What I want to know is, is it because I didn't use my recovery discs? I didn't want all the bloatware that would be installed with my recovery discs. And a clean install with my recovery discs take about 2 and a half hours just to install!

And by the way this is my first time formating my hard drive with ANOTHER disc besides my recovery disc. I have used my recovery disc at other times

 

The solution is "Use the automated phone system" to use the key at the bottom of your laptop.

 

You did nothing wrong, this is just one of those piracy checks...

Basically system detected your license key as HP OEM (I suppose you are talking about your laptop in sig?) but the install disk used was generic OEM. Because they don't match, a phone activation is necessary. ("yes, this is the original, one and only computer with the license key...")

 

Click on "Use the automated phone System", to have a 1-800 number to call Microsoft Activation center, and they will activate your Windows without any problem.

Once you pass the automatic system that will ask you the product key and inform you the same story as what Windows 7 tells you, you will be passed with an operator. He or she will confirm your Windows version and product key. Once done, they will ask why did you re-install Windows? Which you just say the truth. The person will then ask "Are you using this product key on a different computer?".

If you answer "yes" they will inform you that your license if for one computer and that you need to buy a new one, and help you pick the best edition that fits your budget and needs. I

If you answer "no", then they will generate a special override code which will they give you and activate your product key on their side.

The reason for all this, is that your bottom product key is deactivated. It's just there for proof of purchase. Normally, the OEM disk is pre-activated license. For some OEM like Dell Small Business, it stops there. Others, love to include out-dated drivers, and the whole crap that your system came with as an image, instead of a an official, clean, OS disk with the OEM sticker on it saying it's Windows, and that it's for XYZ system.

 

You are confusing two different OEM types here. So called Royalty OEM like Dell and other big ones deliver pre-activated restore discs. The whole activation system in those is different and not the issue here.

This dates back to Windows XP times: some retailers bought whole systems like Dell and HP, then removed COA Stickers and placed those on white box computers. Royalty OEM computers would still work with their restore discs, while COA stickers would activate OS on another computer. That vendor saves ~80 euros worth on every computer built that way.

When they were eventually caught doing that, Microsoft added the stolen COA sticker license types into certain pool that always triggers phone activation. Customer then calls to service and when he is asked what type of computer is and he says "generic whitebox" while license shows as Dell branded OEM at the activation center they don't activate, instead they want to catch that vendor who sold the computer in the first place.

Same thing is happening with Vista and now Win7, as more keys/COAs leak or get stolen, more is added to the pool that always needs phone activation. Not long time ago someone was asking here and on another forum where to sell Acer COA stickers, as he had lots of those... I wish someone reported him before his account was banned and threads deleted.

 

Thanks for the help! So in the future should I just use my recovery discs? Or after I phone Microsoft the key is activated, and I don't have to phone every time I format my laptop?

 

Welcome to the wonders of DRM and how it affects legitimate customers more than it affects the pirates.

The solution is to just not reinstall

In all seriousness, the best way is to use the recovery discs if you don't want to call, or just deal with calling if you want to do a "clean" install. KLF is spot-on as to the cause.

 

Use the ABR tool described here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=120228

It backups your activation from original installation (you need to use restore discs once) and returns clean install into perfect royalty OEM installation.

 

As above, restore your notebook to the "out of the box" state using your recovery disks, then back up your activation info. I use Windows 7 Activation Backup Recipester, & then restore your activation info after a clean install.

 

Though I agree with some, I'm not sure I agree with everything that is being said here.

1) It is likely the OP used a non-OEM dvd to install Windows--that is why his key is not working. While Microsoft did blacklist some XP keys way back when because people were stealing them off of floor models at computer stores, by and large the cd/dvd keys on the bottom of even bix box manufacturers will work with generic OEM install disks. This results in a clean install.

c) The constant stream of advice to use activation back up programs I keep seeing around here does not always work. Indeed, with some recent changes to Windows Activation Technology rolled out in the past month, I suspect it is going to work less frequently.

Please note before someone starts jumping down my throat. I am not saying you are stealing or doing anything illegal, I am not condemning or casting aspersions. I am saying that TECHNICALLY it does not always work. I don't care if it works for you, if it has been working for years, if you did it last week. I am saying that it does not always work.

 

How much I hate to say this but I'm sorry, in this case you are wrong

His key is clearly working, as the screenshot says: "you will need to use automated phone system". That is just one of the many activation methods, internet isn't the only way to do it. When automatic phone activation fails and the person in the phone denies activation too, then the key does not work.

The day when the ABR tool fails to work, is the day when ALL Royalty OEM installations cease to work, because they are one and same thing.

There's only three parts in Royalty OEM activation:
1. OEM Key (same key in all computers of same brand and version)
2. OEM Certificate file (same file in all computers of same brand)
3. BIOS (obviously same in all computers of same brand)

The activation backup system copies the certificate file and key and then restores them to new installation. It does nothing else and the same can be done in command prompt manually if that sounds more secure.

It cannot be used to transfer activation to another computer of other brand, since the bios string is missing or wrong. It's no hack or crack in itself, altough it isn't meant for end-users.

Since Windows Vista, all (generic) OEM and Retail discs have been one and same. Only exception is Upgrade disc. One could use branded OEM disc on wrong brand of computer too, due the 3-phase activation offline activation would be denied but using the COA key and internet/phone activation it would work anyways.

Restore discs are different thing, as they are basically images of working installation.

 

I formatted my laptop using the recovery discs and used the ABR to back up my key. Time to do a clean install.

Thanks for the help guys!