New
#11
I have just become aware that I am no longer getting the pop-up warning of expiration, instead I now have a permanent message (watermark) bottom right hand of screen:
Activate Windows
Go to Settings to activate Windows
I re-ran slmgr.vbs /dlv & the license info has changed. I assume that this is because I entered
VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T in the change product id, as the license now shows 3V66T in the info, & there is no longer a volume activation expiration line countdown. Also the license info now does not show any reference to KMS, but states Product Key Channel: Retail.
As I now have this permanent message on screen to activate, how long do I have to do this?
Is the best way forward to save everything (portable h/d) & re-install Windows 7 Pro which will reformat the h/d on installation? If so...I will need to acquire a genuine Windows 7 Pro installation disc with a valid product key, then hopefully be able to update to Windows 10 Pro.
Thanks.
Actually, all you have to do is enter a valid 7/8/10 po key now and it will now activate - no need to reinstall anything.
There is no actual time limit to do this but you will be unable to personalise the install in the meantime. A while ago, this only meant putting up with default wallpapers etc. Now the main restriction is updating such stuff as active hours (by default 8 am to 5 pm).
Reply to Cereberus:
''Actually, all you have to do is enter a valid 7/8/10 po key now and it will now activate - no need to reinstall anything''.
Is it that easy?
I currently do not have a valid 7/8/10 pro key (or installation disc), but have seen on Ebay that there are (claimed to be) valid Windows 7 Pro product keys available for very little money.
They are said to be valid, as they are sold by offering the damaged original pc part, ie; motherboard etc; (sent on request at extra cost) to conform to Ebay & Microsoft rules & regs.
My question is...would one of these product keys work? I am not so sure, as I have read that they will not activate an ''upgrade'', & I am not sure if the Windows 10 Pro that I currently have was a full installation or an upgraded version prior to me buying it. Is there a way I can check this?
Thanks.
Buyer beware is my advice. Assuming said key hasn't already been sold to somebody else. Or has already been used to activate Windows 10. And its not an OEM key. It "might" work. There have been many many threads here with the subject line " I bought my key on e-bay and now my PC shows as not activated".
Last edited by alphanumeric; 15 Mar 2017 at 10:16.
I'd avoid those cheap product keys, for every one that works there is one that doesn't or as happens in some cases gets blocked after a few weeks as it's already in use, look for the bad reviews, there may be genuine suppliers, however I would be wary. No way of knowing if say a retail key off a scrapped PC hasn't been used to install on it's replacement, having say the motherboard as proof doesn't actually prove anything. You could find that using one of these keys you eventually end up back where you started with an illegal key.
Bottom line? The OEM or System Builder versions are tied to the computer they are installed on, can't be transferred, while the Retail or Upgrade versions can be installed once on a Replacement computer but not both at the same time. Not knowing the exact source from whence the offer comes will leave one at risk.