No Windows Product Key

Thanks, I would have only found that by chance.  Hadn't seen it before.

Product key is required only for retail version of windows 7. As windows 7 came preinstalled fromm DELL (OEM Copy) product key is not required, even if you reinstall windows it will not prompt.:emotion-55:

Thank you for this tip. I also would not have looked there nor would have the technician at Computer Nerdz that needs to re-install windows.

Yesterday, I called Dell customer support letting them know that I needed the product key as it was not on a sticker on the back of the laptop, it was not in any documentation I received, nor did I get any CDs with the laptop. Their initial solution was to try to sell me a new copy of Windows. Of course that did not go over well with me and I easily convinced them that they should send me the CDs at no charge. I will definately be letting Dell know that their customer support people do not know that the windows product key is likely in the battery compartment.

Dell Likely moved the sticker to a protected location because people were scraping off the sticker and or rubbing off the numbers when it was outside on the bottom of the laptop.    I used to put them on the copier screen and copy the bottom with service tag and COA so that if the laptop had the number scraped off I could provide a scanned PDF of the Service tag and COA sticker to email to whoever for support.

remove the battery and its there, at least on the E6400

I am rather a old person who is still using Widows Vista Home Basic 32 bit version on my laptop.Recently I had to reinstall  it using CD supplied b Dell.It worked well for a moth or so but now it says the product key t the back of my laptop is not correct and asks me to request a new key from Microsoft or Dell.No one seems to care!!!  

If you use an OEM Dell Windows disc on a Dell system, no key is needed - if your installation asked for a key, it's not an OEM Dell disc.