Nahwan Erlingga Networks

Method #1: Just perform a clean install

1. Boot off the DVD, and then follow the steps to install Windows 7. Do not attempt to install Windows 7 to the same partition as a previous Windows version. Do not provide your product key during Setup.

2. After Windows 7 is set up, run Windows Update, download any pending updates, reboot as needed, and repeat until there are no more updates. Then, type activate in Start Menu Search to bring up the Activate Windows utility. Type in your product key and attempt to activate Windows.

If it works, you're all set. You're done. Congratulations.

Note: I have now tested this method with the standard Windows 7 Upgrade media as well as with Windows 7 Family Pack media, the latter of which I assume is identical to standard Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade media.

Here's what you do want to see.


If this does not work, move on to method 2.



Method #2: Registry hack

Open regedit.exe with Start Menu Search and navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/



Change MediaBootInstall from "1" to "0". (Double-click it and then enter 0 in the dialog that appears.)



Close RegEdit.

Open the Start Menu again and type cmd in Start Menu search to display a shortcut to the Command Line utility. Right-click this shortcut and choose "Run as administrator." Handle the UAC prompt.

In the command line window, type: slmgr /rearm

Then tap ENTER and wait for the "Command completed successfully" dialog.



Then, close the command line window and reboot. When Windows 7 reboots, run the Activate Windows utility, type in your product key and activate windows.

If it works, you're all set. You're done. Congratulations.

First, ensure there are no pending Windows Updates to install. In my experience, some of these can cause this method to fail. Install them and reboot PC. Re-run the command line (with administrative privileges) noted above, reboot again, and re-attempt the activation.

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