I’ve recently had to install Windows 7 Enterprise on a laptop. I started by wiping the previous version of Windows using Darik’s Boot and Nuke (DBAN) (paranoia – you never know what might work it’s way through from the last install!)

During the install a strange thing happened – I wasn’t asked for a product key – oh well, that’s Microsoft for you. However, when I went to activate Windows, I got an error message that said “Windows Activation. A problem occurred when Windows tried to activate. Error Code 0x8007007B”

After a bit of hunting, I found a couple of articles that said that KB971033 needed to be installed so I ran Windows Update to make sure all the patched were on. After rebooting the machine, I tried the activation again – no joy I though this might be something to do with the product key not being requested and I found this article (Windows 7 Installation not asking for Product Key?) which told me how to change the product key – turns out to be really simple

1. Click Start
2. Right click “Computer”
3. Click “Properties”
4. There will be a link to “Change Product Key” at the bottom of the computer properties screen.

Did this, retried the activation and – lo and behold – activation worked. Now why – with all their anti-piracy stuff – would Microsoft allow me to install Windows 7 without a product key? Silly Microsoft

Filed under: IT problems, tips and tricks, Windows 7 by admin
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