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Invalid product key Windows 7

Cmoi01 -  
dachiasse Posted messages 1932 Status Member -
Hello,

I am reaching out to you because I recently reinstalled Windows 7 on a Samsung R719 laptop, but I can't activate my copy.
Let me explain: this PC dates back to 2009 and came with Windows 7 Home Premium. Windows 8.1 was then installed (a clean installation and not a clean install). But today, I want to go back to Windows 7. I downloaded the official ISO of Windows 7 Home Premium and performed a clean install.
My problem is that when I enter the product key written on the label under the laptop, it is rejected. I tried activating it by phone, but after providing the 9 groups of the installation ID, the activation was refused.

I am feeling a bit down and I don't want to buy a new license. If anyone has a solution, I would be grateful! (I want to clarify that I do not wish to reinstall Windows 8.1 or install Windows 10 on this PC)

Thank you for your help!

4 answers

  1.
    AgentMulder Posted messages 1103 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   167
     
    Hello,

    The Windows 7 activation key must match the version of Windows 7 linked to your PC.
    The version you downloaded from the Microsoft site cannot be activated with this key.

    You should restore the original version of Windows 7 that was installed. Have you tried launching recovery mode by pressing F4 when starting the computer?
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    1. Cmoi01
       
      Thank you for your help,
      How can I know which version of Windows 7 was installed and how to restore it?

      I just tried the recovery mode which seems to have been activated. The product key still does not work. What is the purpose of this recovery mode?
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    2. jfmimi Posted messages 13734 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   1 929 > Cmoi01
       
      Hello
      the recovery mode is a restoration of Windows, a factory reset, like the day you bought it, it should be located on a hidden partition of the hard drive.
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    3. Cmoi01 > jfmimi Posted messages 13734 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention  
       
      Ah, yet when I pressed F4, it showed me "please wait", then Windows started normally..
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    4. Cmoi01
       
      Having done a clean install, I no longer had the "Samsung recovery solution" software, but I just retrieved it from the Samsung website. However, when I start the installation, it displays "There is no Samsung recovery area on your hard drive. The setup will be canceled."
      The recovery area must have been overwritten during the Windows 8.1 installation.
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    5. Trezor > Cmoi01
       
      Hello, indeed you won't be able to restore Windows 7 if the recovery partition has been deleted. The only solution is to reinstall Windows 7 manually. But why not install Windows 10? It's much more secure and has been greatly improved since the beginning. Personally, that's what I would do. Especially since Windows 7 is no longer updated...
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  2. AgentMulder Posted messages 1103 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   167
     
    Unfortunately, without the recovery partition, it will be difficult to restore an activated version of Windows 7.
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  3. fabul Posted messages 42115 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   6 061
     
    Hello,

    The Windows 10 update is not free because your Windows 7 is not activated.

    The phone activation should have worked.

    You had other options to keep your recovery partition.

    Keep the activation with ABR (Activation Backup & Restore)

    Burn your reinstallation DVDs

    Buy the manufacturer's reinstallation DVDs.

    A Windows 10 license is not very expensive on online sites.

    Make sure it's Retail with the command slmgr -dli.
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  4. fabul Posted messages 42115 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   6 061
     
    If you could find the OEM Win7 of your PC to download, preferably legally, even if it were in English, you could use it to recover the activation with Activation Backup & Restore, reinstall it in French, and reactivate it in French with ABR.
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