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How to activate Windows 7 (valid product key not working) or get the original version that was pre-installed on Dell laptop?

Anonymous
2019-04-11T21:45:29+00:00

After a forced restart, my Dell Xps 15z that came with pre-installed Windows 7 Home Premium crashed and as a result its Windows 7 stopped loading. Usual restoration methods did not work, I followed them as described on the Dell's site.  So there was no way out other than reinstall Windows. Dell OS Recovery Tool that is meant to work in these cases did not help either as it finds no OS image for my Dell Service Tag. 

Going to the site of Windows, I'm unable to download an ISO image that would correspond to the product key that went with Dell, as the site returns an error every time I try and asks to try later.

I have therfore downloaded an ISO image of Windows via Windows ISO downloader. However, I did not manage to activate it with the Windows product key that went with my Dell.

Is there any other way to get the original Windows 7 knowing my laptop's Service Tag and having the original Windows product key? Or to activate the trial version of the Windows 7 have installed now?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-04-12T22:00:07+00:00

    I have tried the automatic telephone activation, but this did not work either. 

    Thanks for trying to help anyway :)

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-04-11T21:57:06+00:00

    Microsoft does not supply Windows 7 ISO downloads for OEM preinstalled operating system Product Keys for Dell, HP, etc. machines

    @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

    You don't say what product key you used and you have to reinstall the exact same edition as was preinstalled and matches that key.

    The COA sticker, that has the product key on it, is either on the underside of the Laptop or in the Battery Compartment.

    With a Desktop it is either on the side, rear or top of the Computer Case.

    Using the downloaded ISO file Method may require phone Activation.

    "How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone"

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

    That method also will require you to go to your Computer Manufacturer's website > Support and Downloads Section > locate your Model Number and Operating System > then download and install the latest Drivers for it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-04-12T22:08:13+00:00

    I have tried the automatic telephone activation, but this did not work either. 

    Thanks for trying to help anyway :)

    I advised you what to do if you can't do the phone activation:

    @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

    If you can't do that:

    To contact Microsoft Support:

    Contact support        

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/contact-support

    Also: https://partner.support.services.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus/windows/tech-services/

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-04-12T00:03:14+00:00

    Hi, thank you for your reply.

    That's the problem, I type the product key that is on the label on the underside of the laptop, and this doesn't work for me. 

    I have re-checked several times, but there is no mistake, and the letters are still readable, that's why I'm perplexed about it.

    We don't work for Microsoft and can't activate it for you; that's why I gave you that phone activation advice:

    @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

    Using the downloaded ISO file Method may require phone Activation.

    "How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone"

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

    @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

    If you can't do that:

    To contact Microsoft Support:

    Contact support        

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/contact-support

    Also: https://partner.support.services.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus/windows/tech-services/

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  5. Anonymous
    2019-04-11T23:55:53+00:00

    Hi, thank you for your reply.

    That's the problem, I type the product key that is on the label on the underside of the laptop, and this doesn't work for me. 

    I have re-checked several times, but there is no mistake, and the letters are still readable, that's why I'm perplexed about it.

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