Please help if you are able. I'm installing offline to a Dell Optiplex 790 with a genuine Win 7 Pro OEM license sticker. My installation media is the retail version of Win 7 converted to universal. During installation I entered the OEM key which seemed to be accepted. The computer boots and reports a build number of 7601 and that this copy of Windows isn't genuine. I would rather not use a loader. Is there a way to convert the retail version of Windows 7 Pro to OEM. Or maybe I need to search for a link to the OEM version.
Windows 7 needs to go on line to validate the key. If you can get this pc on line, do it that way. You should get an option to install the key and when that fails you should another option to call Microsoft to authenticate the key. You give them a long list of numbers and they give you another long list of numbers. It's quite simple now because you can get a text on your phone
If the Dell shipped with Win7 Pro then you don't need the COA as the system would have a Slic 2.1 marker in the bios. You can use the loader to install the correct key & certificate to activate genuine offline.
He could also use the MRP project OEM folder, during windows install it will also readout the BIOS and when it finds a valid slic for 7, it will apply the certificate and oem:slp key too, without the need for windows loader. You can install starter, home basic, home premium, pro or ultimate.
though windows 7 starter edition is available in x86/32bit only; all other Win7 editions are available in both 32bit & 64bit
That's not important, all mentioned sku's can be installed and activated, based on the valid win 7 slic