Once you have the key, you can use ANY OTHER Windows 7 DVD (read that: borrowed from a friend, or your own personal copy) to load a new, crap-ware free version of the OS from an OEM disk.
When you load the OS, do not put the license key in during the install process, simply proceed to the next step. The OS will continue to load, and the system will boot as normal with a fresh install. You'll have 30 days to register the OS before it stops working.
At this point, you can register the OS using your original OEM Product Key that you found using the free utility above by doing the following:
1.Click on the Start Button and type: CMD (into the 'Search programs and files' field in the Start Menu)
2.The Start Menu will show 'CMD.exe',
3.Right-click the CMD.exe file and select Run As Administrator.
4.In the CMD window, type: slmgr.vbs -ipk (type your product key here)
5.To activate windows after changing the key, type: slmgr.vbs -ato
Reboot the machine when finished and you have a perfectly LEGAL, fully registered Windows 7 install minus all the crap-ware you didn't want.
I've used the above method a number of times to eliminate crap-ware on computers, it works just fine, and it's alot easier and faster than burning two DVD's.
Before you simply erase the hard drive on the (new) computer, I recommend you download any number of free Windows 7 key Finder utilities and scan the (new) computer for the Windows 7 registration keys and any other software you’d want to re-load on the system.
Once you have the key, you can use ANY OTHER Windows 7 DVD (read that: borrowed from a friend, or your own personal copy) to load a new, crap-ware free version of the OS from an OEM disk.
When you load the OS, do not put the license key in during the install process, simply proceed to the next step. The OS will continue to load, and the system will boot as normal with a fresh install. You’ll have 30 days to register the OS before it stops working.
At this point, you can register the OS using your original OEM Product Key that you found using the free utility above by doing the following:
1.Click on the Start Button and type: CMD (into the ‘Search programs and files’ field in the Start Menu)
2.The Start Menu will show ‘CMD.exe’,
3.Right-click the CMD.exe file and select Run As Administrator.
4.In the CMD window, type: slmgr.vbs -ipk (type your product key here)
5.To activate windows after changing the key, type: slmgr.vbs -ato
Reboot the machine when finished and you have a perfectly LEGAL, fully registered Windows 7 install minus all the crap-ware you didn’t want.
I’ve used the above method a number of times to eliminate crap-ware on computers, it works just fine, and it’s alot easier and faster than burning two DVD’s.
Well I just learned something new, thanks. Would that work for XP also? Same command line entries?
I currently use Belarc Advisor - it shows software product keys in its PC Audit. Guess I will have to load on the new system [assuming I get it], run the audit, and get the key before erasing the HD.
NEXT problem is that I don't know anyone [currently] that has Win 7 Pro - I'll have to ask around. BUT, there are a couple of people at work interested in it.
I might have to purchase Win 7 Pro myself, erase and load my PC - then charge my co-workers $50 a pop to use your trick. That way, I would re-coup at LEAST some of my loss !!!