Different Product Keys?


  1. Posts : 579
    Windows 10 Home
       #1

    Different Product Keys?


    Would appreciate your help. :)

    Have an Acer with a COA showing the product key for Windows 7.
    Ran Belarc Advisor, and it shows a different Product key for Windows 7.

    Any clues as to why he PKs do not match?

    Also, planning to install Windows 10 Home, and wondering which of these Product IDs it will affect when it digitally signs the install.

    Thank you!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 928
    Win 10
       #2

    Have an Acer with a COA showing the product key for Windows 7.
    Use this one for activation.
    Ran Belarc Advisor, and it shows a different Product key for Windows 7.
    All Acer's with 7 home have that same factory key.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 579
    Windows 10 Home
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for your help, Porthos!

    So, if it is upgraded to Windows 10 Home, which of these Product IDs will it affect when it digitally signs the install?

    Or, is this a stupid question?
    Last edited by cottonball; 15 Sep 2016 at 11:31.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 928
    Win 10
       #4

    cottonball said:
    Thanks for your help, Porthos!

    So, if it is upgraded to Windows 10 Home, which of these Product IDs will it affect when it digitally signs the install?

    Or, is this a stupid question?
    It wont matter any way. The original Win 7 key or activation does not get cancelled you can always go back. But you cant use the Win 7 at the same time on the same machine or use that OEM key on any other computer.

    And no you do not have two licenses on that computer for win 7.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #5

    The key on the sticker is an OEM-COA key. The one Belarc found is the OEM-SLP key. Windows 7 factory OEM installs use OEM-SLP (System Locked Preinstallation) activation from the factory. And each manufacturer has its own set of keys to use. That OEM-SLP key will be common to all Acer's with that version of Windows installed. They only work with the custom OEM install media. The OEM-COA key on the sticker, is a backup key that you can use with stock install media. It's a unique key only issued to that device.

    If your upgrading from the current install, the OEM-SLP key is the one currently in use. I don't think it looks at the key anyway, when upgrading. It just checks to see if your system is legally activated. If your doing a clean install, and going to enter the key manually, OEM-SLP keys are blocked. You have to use the OEM-COA key from the sticker. Once that PC is upgraded and issued a Digital License it will get a new generic Windows 10 key. All Pro installs get the same key ending in 3V66T.

    You do know the free upgrade offer has expired right? Doing an upgrade now could leave you with an un-activated Windows 10 install? There is no guarantee you'll be issued a Digital License. If you end up in that situation, you can do a roll back to your original OS. Just do it in the first 30 days. After 30 days an auto disk cleanup may make it impossible to do the roll back. Then you would have to reinstall Windows 7 manually.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #6

    alphanumeric said:
    You do know the free upgrade offer has expired right? Doing an upgrade now could leave you with an un-activated Windows 10 install?
    It still seems to be working I think (although no guarantees of course). It worked last week anyway.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 15,027
    Windows 10 IoT
       #7

    lx07 said:
    It still seems to be working I think (although no guarantees of course). It worked last week anyway.
    Unofficially, it was still working after the 29th. Microsoft wouldn't say why, but it was still giving out new DL as per the free upgrade offer. At some point I expect the free ride to end though. Just giving the OP a heads up, just in case he does the upgrade now and wonders why it won't activate. And so they know their options if that happens. I suspected it was still working, but haven't tested it myself lately. Thanks for the heads up that it was still working last week.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 579
    Windows 10 Home
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Thanks, alphanumeric and lx07.

    Very useful information!
      My Computer


 

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