If you have swapped out hard drives, graphics cards, memory, etc over time, then you might run into problems when you try to reactivate Windows online using the same product key. In these cases, you will have to call Microsoft and do an activation.
If the hardware hasn’t changed too much, you can make a backup of the information that Windows uses to ensure your copy is valid and then restore it after the reinstall. This article explains how using a freeware program.
Download Recovery Media
If you perform a clean install of Windows on a new PC, it won’t activate online. Previously, new PCs came with an OEM DVD that allowed you to reinstall Windows, but in the last few years most PCs now have a separate recovery partition that lets you restore directly from the hard drive. You should have no problem activating Windows if you restore this way. ..
If you don’t have the DVD or recovery drive, you can either call Microsoft and try to activate by phone or you can directly download the ISO image files from Microsoft, but you will definitely need to have the product key from the COA sticker on the computer.
To download Windows 7 recovery media, you must provide a valid product key before it will let you download the ISO file. For Windows 8.1, you are not required to provide a product key for the download. You can get the Windows 8.1 ISO from the Create Media Reset page on Microsoft’s website.
Microsoft has announced that it is no longer providing Windows 7 ISO images. You can only find the links above from Microsoft to download the software.
If you have a Windows 8 key and are trying to activate Windows 8.1, you will not be able to do so using the key. You will need to find an ISO image that can be activated with the key. ..
Windows XP
In Windows XP, you can avoid having to reactivate your computer by copying a file from your Windows directory and saving it external media. When Windows XP is first activated, it creates a file called WPA.DBL and stores it in the C:\Windows\System32\directory.
Windows 10 activation: declining and completing installation
Safe Mode is a menu that you can access by pressing F8 on startup. This will take you to the Advanced Boot Options menu, where you can choose to restart your computer in Safe Mode or not.
To enable Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPA) on your computer, you will need to rename the file “WPA.DBL” to “WPA.OLD” and copy the backup version of “WPA.DBL” to the current location.
Windows XP should now be activated and working normally. Remember that this will only work if you use the WPA.DBL file from the same computer that Windows XP was originally activated on. If you install XP on a different machine and try to copy the WPA.DBL file there, it won’t activate.
Windows Vista, 7, 8
If you are running Windows Vista, 7 or higher, you will need to follow a more complicated process in order to avoid the activation problem. There is a lot more information that is required, which makes it more difficult. ..
Advanced Tokens Manager is a freeware program that allows you to make a copy of all the activation data for your software and restore it if needed. ..
Once you have installed the software, it will start automatically detecting your products and settings. You can then use the main screen to manage your files, settings, and products.
If all goes well, your Windows 10 product key should detect your version of Windows and it should display the product key along with the license status. To backup the data, just click the Activation Backup button. A fairly large dialog will pop up that basically explains all the features and the requirements in order for the activation to properly work. Make sure you read it carefully.
-Don’t make major hardware changes when restoring a Windows 10 PC. -Make sure the OS edition is the same before restoring. -Click “Yes” to create a Windows activation backup in the same folder as the executable file. ..
Windows will detect the backup folder and the button will change to Activation Restore if you have not already done so.
If you click on the link and then decide you are not sure, please click on the Yes button. After a minute or so, if the program succeeds, you will get a Success message.
Windows Activation is now complete!
Advanced Tokens Manager does not fully support Windows 8.1. It can save all the activation data, but it can only restore activation for Windows 8.1 copies that were activated by phone. If activated online, it won’t be able to restore properly. ..
Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 users are not getting an update to the program that was released in September 2013, according to the developers. This lack of update could be a sign that the program is not working well for these users anymore. If you have any questions, please post a comment and let us know. Enjoy!
