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    Windows OEM Key Guide

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by nikolai090, Jun 13, 2010.

  1. nikolai090

    nikolai090 Notebook Evangelist

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    Hi, I noticed some people who don't know how to activate their OEM windows after a clean install, so I made a little guide here.

    Before Clean Install Method

    Before doing a clean install, it is important to back up your Windows OEM License Key, to do so you need:

    1) Download the Keyfinder.

    2)Next, you run the program and this is what you'll see:
    [​IMG]

    Backup your key and do your clean install, then of course, put the key back in, and you have your Windows Activated. :D

    After Clean Install Method

    If you've already done a clean install, then you're gonna have to do it the long way.

    Copy the Product key below the laptop, put that on as the product license, if you used a different windows CD other than the one supplied by the manufacturer(which is highly likely due to the fact that most manufacturers don't give Windows OEM discs anymore) then you'll be presented with some options, choose to activate by phone.

    Once you've called Microsoft, they'll ask you some questions regarding your computer and give you a new key, now back that one up for future Clean installs. You're done. :D
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    nikolai090, Jun 13, 2010
    #1
  2. timtravel42

    timtravel42 Notebook Virtuoso

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    If you are doing the before clean install method on a factory install, then don't you also need to backup the OEM certificate? Because the key you get will be the OEM factory key which requires the certificate and the SLIC2.1 bios

    On most (all?) factory built laptops the key given by magic jellybean will not be the one on the bottom of the laptop, and you will need the cert.
     
    timtravel42, Jun 14, 2010
    #2
  3. nikolai090

    nikolai090 Notebook Evangelist

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    I don't know, well it worked for me anyways, reinstalled home premium on my laptop to get rid of the bloatware that came with it and it activated fine? @_@
     
    nikolai090, Jun 14, 2010
    #3
  4. Gandalf_The_Grey

    Gandalf_The_Grey Notebook Evangelist

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    Gandalf_The_Grey, Jun 15, 2010
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  5. timtravel42

    timtravel42 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yeah i agree with the two above --> IIRC ABR backs up the OEM certificate and the key
     
    timtravel42, Jun 15, 2010
    #5
  6. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    Yep, you will end up with these two files after the backup. Nice easy to use program and good info to archive.
    backup-cert.xrm-ms
    backup-key.txt
     
    deeastman, Jun 15, 2010
    #6