Windows 7 product key

[magc92]

Hello everybody,

bought a refurbished hp 8300 sff recently with installed Windows 7 Pro 64-bit on it, but got no OS media from the seller. So I wanted to format the hard disk and do a clean system install, but first wanted to check the product key with MGAdiag and the last 15 symbols(only visible) are not matching the ones on case sticker. How is that possible? And is there any way to get an Windows 7 pro ISO and use the sticker product key? 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The person who installed W7 probably had a different W7 installation media such as a HP recovery disk, which would have a different product key.

You can use the key on the case if it hasn't been used before on a different PC illegally.

This site claims to have genuine, unadulterated W7 ISO files for download...

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-iso-download-tool

Click on the link labeled Windows ISO Downloader.exe

You can use the:

 Win 7 Pro SP1 (Retail version, but the  OEM key on your PC's case should work with it)

Burn the ISO file to a DVD using your DVD burner's Burn ISO file option, or use Rufus to make a bootable W7 installation flash drive.

https://rufus.akeo.ie/

[magc92]

Thank you for the quick answer first.

But isn't it almost impossible to install another OS installation media on an hp OEM with another product key than that on the sticker, because, as I heard, the OEM OS and it's key are tied to the motherboard? Could the previous owner maybe changed the motherboard and used the product key of that hardware?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

I do it all the time.  I have one HP W7 Pro recovery disk and have used the same disk on all of my HP business PC's--half a dozen of them--all different models, desktops, notebooks...They just had to be around when W7 came out.

For example...if I tried to install that disk on a HP PC that was made in 2006, it would ask to be activated, since W7 was not around when that PC came out.  So, it can even detect what BIOS' it will decide to work on or not.

I don't need to enter a product key or anything, and the PC's all report genuine and activated.

Each one shows the same OEM product key, and it is nothing like the one on the W7 COA stickers.

That is because the recovery disk I have is for HP PC's only, and I guess it knows it is being installed on a HP PC based on the BIOS it has.

No doubt whoever installed W7 on yours has one of those disks too.

[magc92]

Oh things kinda getting clearer now 😄

I was worried that the seller somehow installed some kind of a that cracked Windows systems from some torrent sites etc.

Well I guess I will give that site you posted a try and try to use my product key, thank you very much 🙂

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

You can always order a recovery kit for your PC by calling HP at this number...

1-800-334-5144

Have the serial number of the PC handy to give to the customer services rep.

Unfortunately, you won't be getting one of the disks I have with that model's recovery kit.

It is a set of DVD's or one usb flash drive that will only work on that model PC.