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Hello. I need help regarding the activation of windows on my laptop. It’s secondhand and I really don’t know what to do. When I checked settings, the message shown is that the windows can’t be activated on the device as it’s not able to connect to the organization’s activation server. Any help would be appreciated.
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That usually means the key is a volume license so is illegal for home use.
Is there any sticker underneath the laptop with a key printed on it?
Run this cmd within powershell with admin powershell “(Get-WmiObject -query ‘select * from SoftwareLicensingService’).OA3xOriginalProductKey”
Or wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey if using cmd prompt.
Or: Check this program to reveal if there’s a key embedded in the BIOS:
Or: Download and run this: ShowKeyPlus – Lataa ja asenna maksutta Windowsissa | Microsoft Store to find all keys used on the PC.
If it doesn’t show any key then don’t worry as this is normal if the PC came with Windows 10.
If it shows a key then please let me know - do not post the key.
Also run this to see what is currently installed & post the screenshot:
Right click on start & choose powershell with admin & enter: slmgr.vbs /dlv
This will show a popup showing whether your license is OEM, Retail, or Volume amongst other information.
If this states you have a volume licence then there is away to return to a legal key if there’s one in the BIOS.
If it does please post back. -
Hello. Thank you so much for replying. There is a sticker underneath the laptop that has the product key but unfortunately it’s faded. I’ve downloaded showkeyplus and it shows the windows product info: product name, product ID, version, INSTALLED KEY and OEM Key. I also ran the Windows 10 OEM Product Key Tool and this is what it said "
Unable to open MSDM table!
This PC does not contain an embedded product key - search for a product key sticker or contact your manufacturer for assistance." I’m afraid I don’t know what PowerShell is. Thanks again.Comment
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You Most likely will need the OEM key. Does the sticker mention which version the laptop shipped with? It may be Windows 7 or earlier as there’s a sticker.
Right click Start & choose either Powershell with admin or command prompt with admin, then enter the command I posted.Comment
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can you connect to the web OK?
because the error would suggest it isn’t finding the MS activation servers.
you may have to try the supplied 1800 phone number for your country and ring them.
Australia is 1800 642 008 (that number is burnt into my skull, i’ve rang it over the years so many times!!!)
a robot assistant will walk you through the steps, firstly verifying your Product Key and supplying an unlock code if successful.
but I can tell you that the Product Key already shown (now removed by a Moderator) will be no good as it has been blacklisted.
you may simply have to fork out for a new windows license.Comment
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as per Forum Rule #3 this thread will now be closed.
enough advice has been provided to get the OP on a track for resolution.Comment
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