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Change Windows Product Key After Install

Published in Multiple CategoriesWindows 7 How-To
Windows Vista Usability Tips
 by Steve Sinchak with 169,465 views and 7 comments

Do you need to change your product key so you can activate Windows Vista or Windows 7 properly? You can use a great command line tool that will help you do this very easily. Just follow these steps:

  1. Click on the Start Button and type in command prompt so that it shows up on your start menu search list. Right click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select Run As Administrator.
  2. At the administrator command prompt, type in "slmgr.vbs -ipk <insert your product key here>"
  3. To activate windows after changing the key, run "slmgr.vbs -ato"
 
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Comments
Megan
3 years ago
is this going to rest the whold computer and delete all the files or just let you use microsoft office programs???
Marty191
3 years ago
thanks, works like charm!
Li
3 years ago
Please i'm in desperate need of help. When i typed this into the command prompt it gives an error message "slmgr.vbs -ato" but for the first step it was fine. I REALLY NEED HELP ON THIS, MY WHOLE LIFE AS A STUDENT IS IN THERE!!
Steve Sinchak
3 years ago
Megan, this will only reset the Windows Vista activation timer. Everything else will remain the same.
Steve Sinchak
3 years ago
Li, what is the error? Is your product key valid?
jM
One year ago
great!
Biser
265 days ago
CMD replies: command syntax error ...?