Can't activate Windows....

[explrsport]

So I installed a fresh copy of Win7 Professional (Upgrade version) onto my new SSD. Went to activate it and I am getting an error message that since I have an upgrade disk, it won't work. Looking at MS Support, I am expected to load Windows XP (which I own) and then "upgrade" to Win7. That is completely stupid!!

Is there a way around this? I do own valid copies of both programs.

 

[postmortemIA]

common trick is to install upgrade once, do not activate, and then run upgrade again from the new installation.

 

[explrsport]

ok, I haven't activated yet (of course) but now I have Windows all installed, programs done, etc. just right. Would really prefer not to install it again!

 

[Mushkins]

This one is really easy to fix. Edit the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\OOBE

In the right pane, change the value data for MediaBootInstall from 1 to 0.

Reboot and run activation.

 

[explrsport]

Tried this, and I'm still getting the same error message.

I did go back into the registry and confirmed it was changed.

What about the "Retail Install" key? That's currently at 1.

 

[Bubbaleone]

Tried this, and I'm still getting the same error message.

I did go back into the registry and confirmed it was changed.

What about the "Retail Install" key? That's currently at 1.

In addition to the double install, there are two other workarounds for activating the W7 upgrade version which will require the product key that came with your upgrade media.

Method one:

1. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\OOBE. In the right pane, change the value data for MediaBootInstall from 1 to 0. (I know this was already done; just confirm that it hasn't changed).

2. Click Start, type cmd.exe in the search box, then right click the cmd.exe icon and select Run as administrator, which opens an elevated command prompt window.

3. From the elevated command prompt run this command, then reboot:

slmgr /rearm ( resets the activation status)

4. Click Start, type Activate Windows in the search box, click the Activate Windows icon, then type in the upgrade product key and activate Windows.

Method two:

1. From an elevated command prompt run these commands:

slmgr /ipk <your upgrade product key> (replaces any existing product key)

slmgr /ato (activates Windows 7)

slmgr /dlv or slmgr /dli (checks activation status)


.

 

[VirtualLarry]

This one is really easy to fix. Edit the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\OOBE

In the right pane, change the value data for MediaBootInstall from 1 to 0.

Reboot and run activation.

you have to run "SLMGR /rearm" after making that change, and reboot.

 

[daveybrat]

I've always used slmgr -rearm

Does slmgr /rearm work the same?

 

[Bubbaleone]

It works with either (unlike a lot of the ms commandline tools). If you run slmgr /?, the help file actually shows / being used:

.