Windows 7 no longer activated, need help before windows 10 is no longer free!

[DeadlyPilot]

So I have an old dell laptop and after installing lubuntu alongside windows 7 (GRUB bootloader) as a dual boot, I noticed that windows 7 had a message in the bottom right hand corner saying that windows wasn't genuine/build 7601. Obviously my windows install is no longer activated. I tried pulling the key from the registry using a vbs file using this script: http://jacobsalmela.com/find-your-windows-product-key-without-any-software/

which gave me a code that appears to be a code that dell puts on all oem pc's (according to a forum I found). So then I tried using Nirsoft's key finder but it couldn't find anything. Is there anyway I can possible get my activation back before windows 10 becomes $90+?!??!??!



I will try to post more details as I try different things.



I really appreciate the help

 

[pcgeek11]

Look under the battery. There is a COA Sticker with your Windows Key.

 

[Ketchup]

You can do a fresh install Windows 10 using the Media Creation Tool and the key
a) under your battery, or
b) in the bios.

I can't tell you how to activate the Windows 7 you have because I have no idea how you got it. Normally, Windows 7 on a Dell will activate by reading the key from the BIOS, so the fact that it is on your laptop and not activated tell me that you may have gotten the version you are using by some other means.

 

[bruceb]

Since you have a Dell, have a look at this link and try what it says.

http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN104591/EN

You can also try the tool listed here to reset everything so it sees the Dell Win 7 as valid again

http://dellwindowsreinstallationgui...and-recovery-program-windows-vista-7-version/

 

[Puffnstuff]

I have a dell alienware and I have a sticker on the back of the case. If you don't have a sticker check your paperwork for the sticker. If it's a legit install of windows roll back to an earlier date when it was activated otherwise ante up for a new OS.

Edit: does anyone else see anything wrong with this thread? If it just deactivated itself the key would still be in the registry just requiring reactivation and not a reentry.

 

[Bird222]

You can try this. http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

 

[bruceb]

What his real issue is the fact that he dual booted with Linux and a grub boot loader. It messes up the MBR and I think with Dell and other OEM if the MBR is screwed up, then it won't self activate with the embedded BIOS code. He would need to run an mbr fix .. Mre info at the 2 links below (2nd one has more details)

http://superuser.com/questions/188156/how-to-uninstall-grub-and-get-windows-7-bootloader-back

https://social.microsoft.com/Forums...emoved-from-system-help?forum=genuinewindows7

 

[pcgeek11]

The MBR has nothing to do with the Dell Activation in Windows 7.

Over writing the MBR will mess up the system being able to boot to the Dell Restore Partition.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I made it a practice to back up the restore partition just in case I wanted to put win 7 back on my alienware laptop in the factory config. The last time I just clean installed it on there but once I moved up to 8.1 and now 10 I don't even think about going back to 7.