I have a PC which has windows 7 license but I installed windows from an image I downloaded and it is already activated. For validating genuine Microsoft, I need to enter my own product key but the necessary activation tools do not exist in my windows folder. What should I do?

I googled stuff but because the keywords are too broad I couldn't find a useful tool.

DAZ doesn't work, activation button doesn't show up.

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When I enter my original key to Windows Anytime Upgrade, I get this error:

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When I attempt using slmgr, I get this error: enter image description here

I used sfc /scannow And this is the situationenter image description here

Now slmgr is existing, I entered slmgr.vbs -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX (replacing X es with the cd key) the operation successful. Now I have installed Microsoft Security essentials, which means the problem is solved.

Main steps are here

  1. Open command prompt (cmd) in admin mode
  2. Enter "sfc /scannow"
  3. Enter slmgr.vbs -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
  4. Success

In your Control Panel -> System, the "Windows Activation" section is totally missing. This probably means that Activation was hacked, and that required system components have been deleted.

Try to Run as Administrator the following command : slui.exe 3. It normally brings up the Windows Activation dialog.

If this doesn't work, try to run the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows and the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, as sometimes they fix a problem or two.

You could also try sfc /scannow, as described in this article.

If all else fails, and you have the Windows 7 installation media, try doing Repair Install as described in this article.

If nothing works, then this version of Windows was too damaged by the crack. I suggest in this case to reformat the hard disk and reinstal Windows from scratch. It might be a good idea to do this in any case, rather than use an unknown and maybe virus-ridden image.


You have no idea what else could have been on that ISO you downloaded, there easily could have been a rootkit or some form of trojan on it. I would recommend downloading a ISO directly from Microsoft. You said in your comments you are resistant to this option because you want to save documents and installed programs. Windows has built in a very good transfer wizard that will help you migrate all of your files and settings to the new install, just save it to a external drive before you reinstall windows. You may need to reinstall the software but most of the settings and saves for those programs should get restored.

If you are feeling confidant that you did not get a virus/trojan bundled in with your hacked copy of windows you can attempt a "upgrade/repair" install with the official ISO, that should install all of the tools needed to activate windows.


Try this.

  1. Click on Start (the Orb) and type ‘cmd’ in the search box.
  2. This will open Command Prompt, or you can add Command Prompt in your right-click menu.
  3. Now type the following in Command Prompt and press Enter. slmgr.vbs -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX (Note: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX should be your product key)
  4. Once done, type slmgr.vbs -ato to activate your Windows 7.

I got these steps from http://www.sizzledcore.com/2009/10/26/how-to-change-windows-7-product-key/