My windows 7 activation key has expired

Was that wrong? Or were they referring to boxed retail? If so, what if I choose to reformat my HD drive although I probably wouldn't need to since it's going to be as clean as it's going to get, but I'm a stickler for performance sometimes, which is why I ended up in the current situation will I once again run into the same problem since formatting the drive gets rid of Vista? Carey Frisch If he had been using the Vista install, and had data that he needed to bring over, I could see it.

However, in this case, he's already nuked his system. At this point, using either the approved method for doing a clean install, or the above procedure, is a lot more palatable. Please note, not one, but two Microsoft reps told me to use a double-install method for handling a very similar situation.

In my case, I couldn't obtain a restore CD Putting Vista back on the system to run an installer is silly. It's not like he's not eligible for an upgrade - the machine came licensed for Vista. Is it even possible to install a 64 bit os on a 32 bit machine? Thursday, October 29, AM. If your system can support it, yes. At the bottom of the box that pops up will be a section called 'System. If it says yes, you can upgrade to a bit OS.

Seth, Thanks a lot for posting the steps for activating an upgrade key on a clean install Seth, method 2 worked like a charm for me! For those who say they cannot get to the start menu to follow these steps, the trick is to leave the product key blank during the install which will allow you to continue without activating Windows. Joe Van.

Friday, November 6, AM. On the replacement HD I have installed a Full version of Windows 7 Home edition that was intended for my wife's laptop, whereas I had wanted to install an Upgrade version of Windows 7 Ultimate. I was not aware of this post and have stupidly entered the product key and it has activated. I am now unable to upgrade with the genuine Ultimate disk. Will the registry fix work for me? Thursday, December 24, PM. Seth, Its sorted. This time no messages that the key was in the wrong format.

Sunday, December 27, AM. This was unbelievably helpful. Neither worked and I was ready to revert to a previous backup before the upgrade. Thank you for posting this! Monday, December 28, AM. This is a slight variant to the above. I lost my password and had to re-install windows 7. I'm at a point where I need to re-install, how can I extract my product key from the Windows. Tuesday, January 12, PM. Microsoft is up to some strange business. I've had an endless string of upgrade issues and let it go until 4 days prior to Win 7 expiring.

I called MS for the phone activation and while online he instructed me to type my Product Key again and this time it worked! I'm a 25 year PC veteran and attempted that same thing on my own many times. I think the phone support person flipped some bit in a database which made my Product Key finally work.

This was part of the infamous HP Win7 Upgrade fiasco. Monday, February 8, PM. Monday, July 5, PM. Thursday, September 2, AM. If you got the disk from your computer manufacturer then it should be capable of a clean install - however, it's unlikely that it will contain all the extra software that was bundled in the original install. Thursday, September 2, PM. It depends on the manufacturer as to how the licensing system actually works, but AFAIK most are capable of a clean install of the OS without any ancillary software.

Saturday, December 25, AM. Can't thank you enough. The second easy solution worked spot on. You saved me a lot of time and trouble. Sunday, January 9, PM. Better call them for help with the key. Monday, January 17, AM. Apart from attempting to garner points, what was the object of posting?

Your post appears to do nothing other than confuse the issue. The activation period has expired on Windows 7, and now? Why Product Activation on Windows 7? How often can Windows 7 be activated? Extend the Windows 7 trial period! This is especially good if you have not completely installed the hardware or software. Thus, the meaningless activation is avoided. Change Windows 7 Product Key!

This is possible with Windows 8 and 7, and also with Server and ! Here, the installation data is transmitted to the software manufacturer, before the unrestricted and permanent use of the software, or Windows-7 is possible. Tip: If you set up the computer for the automatic online activation chose Windows, and not for the phone Windows 7 Activation , Windows 7 tries to activate itself after three days from your initial login. You can also double check your activation key as many of the digits are difficult to tell apart.

I take a picture of the key with my phone and zoom it in to tell a B from an 8 and a G from a 6. Software piracy is a crime that we have the ability to stop within our own span of control. With the instructions above, you can resolve most of the issues surrounding licensing and activation of Windows 7.

Home Windows General Windows How-tos. How to activate windows after the activation period expires. General Windows Windows 7. Tom Loveday This person is a verified professional. Verify your account to enable IT peers to see that you are a professional. Oct 29, 2 Minute Read. Reply 2.