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mrno30
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Question
mrno30 asked on

Cannot activate windows 7 with a Product ID

I am trying to register my Windows 7 Enterprise on a home PC (which previously has been upgraded from Windows Vista Home), and now I am running into a problem where OS will not accept a Product ID (Computer - Properties - Windows activation - Change product key). The OS is not accepting certain numbers in my Product ID such as "0". As soon as I type in "0" I get "Unacceptable character. Please check your product key and try again." I also tried copying the Product ID from a text file with no luck. The product key is correct as I am using it on my personal laptop. Suggestions?

Waseemulla Shariff
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Answer
Waseemulla Shariff replied on
Support Engineer

Hi mrno30,

In addition to Andre's suggestions.

Microsoft product keys contain 25 characters that are typically divided into groups of 5.
For more information, see How to identify, locate, and replace a product key
Also see Activating Windows 7: frequently asked questions

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Andre Da Costa
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Answer
Andre Da Costa replied on
MVP Community Moderator Community Star

How did you upgrade from Windows Vista Home? Windows 7 Enterprise requires a clean install.

You should contact the Administrator or place where your Windows 7 Enterprise volume license came from about troubleshooting.

Please note that there is a difference product key and product id.

The Product key consist of numbers and letters of the alphabets.

 

Teching It Easy: With Windows |ActiveWin |Notebooks | Microsoft MVP
techingiteasy.wordpress.com
Windows Expert - Consumer
Andre Da Costa
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Answer
Andre Da Costa replied on
MVP Community Moderator Community Star

How did you upgrade from Windows Vista Home? Windows 7 Enterprise requires a clean install.

You should contact the Administrator or place where your Windows 7 Enterprise volume license came from about troubleshooting.

Please note that there is a difference product key and product id.

The Product key consist of numbers and letters of the alphabets.

 

Teching It Easy: With Windows |ActiveWin |Notebooks | Microsoft MVP
techingiteasy.wordpress.com
Windows Expert - Consumer
mrno30
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mrno30 replied on

It was a clean install, my mistake. Thanks for clarifying the difference between product key and product id.
Waseemulla Shariff
Found this helpful 0
Answer
Waseemulla Shariff replied on
Support Engineer

Hi mrno30,

In addition to Andre's suggestions.

Microsoft product keys contain 25 characters that are typically divided into groups of 5.
For more information, see How to identify, locate, and replace a product key
Also see Activating Windows 7: frequently asked questions

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

nitinjagadish
Found this helpful 0
nitinjagadish replied on

i had a problem with my windows and decided to reinstall my windows...all i did was notedown my product id..thats all i have to re activate...how can i find out what my product key is or reactivate my windows using PID..?

 

thank you,