DELL Machines with OEM(?)Windows 7

Question

Hi, where i work we have all new DELLs machines(some optiplex, some latitude, depends).
They all have the Windows Pro sticker(so no CD Key for Windows). Since they have downgrade rights we requested Win 7 from the company that supplied us with them.
So, 95% of machines are good, Windows 7 is activated, genuine and working.
One the other 5% after some time we got a "Windows 7 is not genuine"
When trying to activate via internet we get a message saying "this key is blocked"
After some time in google i found that the key used in the non genuine machines is a generic key used only for installation puprose. I get that this is what you do when downgrading in mass to Win7, okay.
The company that provided us with the machines told us"you know, its microsoft, sometimes you have to use the phone activation" - Still need to try this.

Another check we did was to see what kind of key for Windows is used:
in the activated machines the key is a OEM SLP, in the non activated machines the key is from RETAIL channel.
Will it be possibile to activate this via phone?
Another thing... i know changing the key to a default, generic DELL OEM SLP(its the one cd key that is used for all dell machines i believe) key will activate the machines, but is this a legit way to do it?

Philip_Yip · Answer

All the Windows 7 Pro OEM machines should be activated using OEM SLP with the system's SLIC. See here for details: http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/windows-oem-faqs-and-downloads/

Dronitto · Answer

Hey Philip, thank for your answer.

All the machines have SLIC v2.1, but the key used during installation(from what i can see from WGA validation tool) was a generic windows 7 retail key not a oem slp.

Should i just change the key to a generic SLP key, so it will then activate automatically thanks to the SLIC thing?

Philip_Yip · Answer

Changing key to the SLP key in system will not work. You need to follow the instructions here at 6:36 to apply the OEM SLP key and OEM cert via the command prompt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfpVKz7nAEc&t=10s&list=PL1RkaknDn7v-Dn67p5RYuEyfVp28ElpGF&index=5

Dronitto · Answer

Ok, i used the files i found on your site Philip, the ones with .bat for changing key and importing the OEM cert.

It activated on one machine i tried. So i guess thats it? This is a 100% safe and legit way to do it, right?

Philip_Yip · Answer

Great, yes it is activated correctly in the same manner as a factory install.

Dronitto · Answer

Ok, i have another all DELL machine, with a Windows Pro sticker ( so with downgrade rights).

The thing is, the Windows 7 was installed using retail channel, and then someone used the REMOVEWAT soft to get rid of activation i suppose...

If i check with the service tag number it gives me on dell site:

Windows 7 Pro (64Bit Windows 10 License, Media)

so, im guessing this PC has a license, so i can use your OEM SLP method(with key and certificate change) to activate it legally (100% legit for dell and Microsoft)?

It could be that this pc was shipped with win 10 and somebody did a format with a retail disk of win7, then used some kind of loader/crack because the retails obviously cant activate with dells? (it needs oem installation)?

Philip_Yip · Answer

Yes systems with Windows 8.x Pro OEM and Windows 10 Pro OEM also possess a SLIC version on 2.1. They will activate using Windows 7 Pro OEM SLP.

In your case it seems like you are buying several models second hand. I would advise wiping them completely and clean installing Windows 7 Pro OEM using an up to date installation .iso. See here for more details:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/windows-oem-faqs-and-downloads/#7601DellSkylake

Windows General

DELL Machines with OEM(?)Windows 7

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