windows-activation interview questions
Top windows-activation frequently asked interview questions
I have a MSDN Premium License and forgot which key (you get to claim 10 keys) I used to activate one of my Windows 7 installs.
I've always wondered why Microsoft don't show the current Windows Product Key in System Information? Why should I have to use a third party application to recover this?
Can anyone recommend one of these key recovery tools (which always look pretty dodgy) and vouch that it isn't malware loaded?
Source: (StackOverflow)
My laptop's hard drive is dying. It still works (boots Windows 7, run some programs), but it is obviously damaged. I am buying a new one to replace it.
I have a legal and activated copy of Windows 7 32-bit Professional (RETAIL, not OEM).
What should I do before installing Windows 7 on the new hard drive? Should I unactivate (I don't know if this even exists) my Windows 7 copy so I can re-activate it in the new installation?
Source: (StackOverflow)
We get a lot of questions on Super User about Windows activation and licensing. This question is an attempt to answer the most common questions in one place with a canonical answer.
When reinstalling Windows, the following questions often come up:
Can I transfer the copy of Windows from my old computer to a new one?
Does the license key on the sticker on my computer work on any computer?
If I have a 32-bit version, can I install a 64-bit version?
I have an OEM version of Windows, but only a retail disk. Can I still use it?
I want to install Windows with a different language. Do I need a new license in that language?
I changed some hardware. Will I be able to reactivate my computer?
Can I back up my activation before doing a reinstall?
How many computers can I install my license on?
Do I have to deactivate my old installation before transferring a license? If so, how?
How does licensing work in Windows ?
What are the restrictions on transferring, reinstalling, and changing versions of Windows?
Source: (StackOverflow)
I have a PC which has windows 7 license but I installed windows from an image I downloaded and it is already activated. For validating genuine Microsoft, I need to enter my own product key but the necessary activation tools do not exist in my windows folder. What should I do?
I googled stuff but because the keywords are too broad I couldn't find a useful tool.
DAZ doesn't work, activation button doesn't show up.
When I enter my original key to Windows Anytime Upgrade, I get this error:
When I attempt using slmgr, I get this error:
I used sfc /scannow
Now slmgr is existing, I entered slmgr.vbs -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX (replacing X es with the cd key) the operation successful. Now I have installed Microsoft Security essentials, which means the problem is solved.
Main steps are here
- Open command prompt (cmd) in admin mode
- Enter "sfc /scannow"
- Enter slmgr.vbs -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
- Success
Source: (StackOverflow)
There seems to be little information about the way the activation system works in Windows 8, especially for consumer versions of Windows (Core/Pro, not Enterprise). I already know that Microsoft now requires you to enter a key before even starting the installation process, and that it tries to connect to the Internet and activate this key as soon as possible.
Sometimes, though, you don't have an Internet connection when installing Windows 8. What then? Can you install Windows? Can you use it? What are the limitations? How long can you keep your copy of Windows usable without activation?
Source: (StackOverflow)
I just completed a fresh install of Windows 8 Pro as it was released to MSDN. Installation went without a hitch however I can't find out where to enter the correct product key for the copy I have.
Clicking on the Activate this Computer in Activity Centre displays the following screen, but no option to change the product key:
Source: (StackOverflow)
I have had Windows 7 Ultimate installed for about two weeks, with a couple more weeks left to activate.
If you ignore the warnings, eventually you get a watermark on your desktop:
Then, after another few days, the desktop background will turn solid black:
What happens after the trial period has ended without activation?
Source: (StackOverflow)
It would seem that there should be web resources to quickly find an answer to this question but I couldn't find any, so I'm trying my luck here.
I used the Win10 Media Creation Tool to download Win10 Pro ISO's and set up VM's I use for testing before deploying to bare metal. Once I deploy, I do so with a digital license or product key but it obviously doesn't make any sense activating while in the (temporary) VM.
Now I noticed that my VM still works, and it's been many weeks since I first used it. It's not activated, of course, but I can still log in and install software and so on.
Up until now, I always created a new VM installation from scratch when I needed to do testing. It would naturally save me some time if I could just install it once and then clone when I need a new environment (that will eventually be licensed). I thought that's not possible due to some time restraints so I didn't even try it.
Hence my questions:
- Is there an official "evaluation period" for Windows 10, and how long is it?
- How long can one use (from a technical perspective only) a not activated copy of Windows 10?
- Which limitations are there for a not activated copy and when do they step into effect?
I was, for example, not able to confirm that personalization is not possible as seems to have been the case with a not-activated Windows 8. (See comment on answer below.)
Source: (StackOverflow)
I recently performed a fresh install of Windows 7 on my computer, but only as I deleted the old partition (that contained my old Windows 7 install) did I remember I hadn't extracted my Windows activation code to re-activate the new copy with (and seeing as I've lost the original packaging, am a little stuck now).
Hopefully, someone has a simple way to restore the old partition, and access the old install's registry, so I might re-obtain the key and re-activate.
EDIT: I forgot to add earlier (see comments) - the disk that I wrote the fresh install to was NOT the same disk that I previously been running Windows on. I simply deleted the partition on the old drive and stopped messing with it after that.
Source: (StackOverflow)
I get that Windows XP SP3 (...) Support Ends April 8, 2014 and I get that this means: (from the site linked to above)
- there will be no new security updates
- [no] non-security hotfixes
- [no] free or paid assisted support options
- [no] online technical content updates
All fine and well, but what about activation? Will I be able to (re-)activate my legacy Windows XP systems - maybe (or especially) running in a VM -- after this date? (Obviously license permitting, that is, non-OEM licenses.)
Has this question been addressed by Microsoft?
Source: (StackOverflow)
I can't activate Windows 7, I get an error saying DNS name does not exist. Is something configured incorrectly somewhere?
PS: I need the answer within 13 days ;)
UPDATE: I had upgraded from my company's Windows Vista build, and when I connect to the company VPN and activate I get a different error:
The Software Licensing Service
reported that the computer could not
be activated. No Key Management
Service (KMS) could be contacted.
Please see the Application Event Log
for additional information.
The Application Event Log contains this (I took out the server name, it's one of the company servers):
The client has sent an activation
request to the key management service
machine. Info: 0xC004F042, 0x00000000,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.com:1688,
7fbdc9b7-d654-49ed-80a7-81a34408f8dc,
2009/09/01 10:59, 0, 2, 17880,
ae2ee509-1b34-41c0-acb7-6d4650168915,
25
Source: (StackOverflow)
Looking for solid confirmation on how Windows(XP,Vista,7,8) OEM can be reinstalled/activated
Windows XP (Home/Professional) OEM(SLP) (Dell, HP etc.)
Using
- GRTMHOEM_EN.iso (Generic Home OEM)
- en_windows_xp_home_with_service_pack_3_x86_cd_x14-92413.iso
- GRTMPOEM_EN.iso (Generic Professional OEM)
- en_windows_xp_professional_with_service_pack_3_x86_cd_x14-80428.iso
Install using any media that matches version, use Windows Key Update Tool to activate it as Retail or OEM based on key provided. (True/False)?
Old Method
Create vendor specific OEM installer
Backup OEM files from target PC
- C:\Windows\system32\OEMBIOS.BIN
- C:\Windows\system32\OEMBIOS.DAT
- C:\Windows\system32\OEMBIOS.SIG
- C:\Windows\system32\Catroot{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}\OEMBIOS.CAT
Create .CAB files of target PC files
- MAKECAB OEMBIOS.BIN
- MAKECAB OEMBIOS.CAT
- MAKECAB OEMBIOS.DAT
- MAKECAB OEMBIOS.SIG
Replace generic OEM ISOs \i386 files with newly created .CAB files
Install using COA key
or
Backup Activation Files before reinstall
- C:\Windows\system32\wpa.dbl
- C:\Windows\system32\Wpa.bak
Rename Existing & Replace with backup files after reinstall
- C:\Windows\system32\wpa.dbl
- C:\Windows\system32\Wpa.bak
Windows Vista/7 (ALL) Retail/OEM (Dell, HP etc.)
Using
- en_windows_vista_sp2_x64_dvd_342267.iso
- en_windows_vista_with_sp2_x86_dvd_342266.iso
- en_windows_7_ultimate_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_677332.iso (ei.cfg removed)
- en_windows_7_ultimate_with_sp1_x86_dvd_u_677460.iso (ei.cfg removed)
-
- Backup activation using ABR (Activation Backup and Restore)
- Reinstall version on COA sticker
- Do not enter key during installation
- Restore backed up activation files using ABR
- If files not backed up, use online or phone activation
Windows 8 (ALL) Retail/OEM (Dell, HP etc.)
Using
- en_windows_8_x64_dvd_915440.iso
- en_windows_8_x86_dvd_915417.iso
Just reinstall, activation is taken care of via BIOS(No COA) or use purchased key if you upgraded.
Can anyone confirm/deny the validity of these methods or make suggestions on how to better accomplish activation after a reinstall? I am mainly concerned with XP since the information I have found is rather scattered and I am not sure if its possible to activate a "royalty free OEM" using a generic OEM/retail disk install and Windows Key Update Tool or if I would need to use one of the old methods of backing up the files and altering the install disk.
If there are any known issues with activation on any version using the windows images/techniques I listed can someone please elaborate on them. I am asking because I started a new job that requires re-installing every version of windows on various computers that have OEM and retail versions.
The information I gathered on various forums is rather scattered and contradicting, this is why I am posting this seemingly stupid question that you may think has been answered a million times. I want someone to give me a definitive response so I don't screw someones computer up by remove necessary OEM files.
Source: (StackOverflow)
I made a Windows VM with Virtualbox in Ubuntu linux. I used the install disc that came with my laptop (I have a paid license for Windows XP). When I started my VM for the first time, it asked me to activate Windows, and said it will stop working in a month if I don't do this.
Is the a maximum number of times I can activate a VM?
Am I legally allowed to run Windows in a VM with my laptop's license?
I have a dual-boot set up--if I activate my VM, can I continue to use Windows natively?
Source: (StackOverflow)
I am trying to activate a new copy of Windows 8 Pro. When clicking on the Activate button in the Windows Activation screen comes back with:
DNS name does not exist
How can I go ahead an activate Windows 8?
Source: (StackOverflow)