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I have a Lenovo ThinkCentre machine I'm trying to refurbish for a friend. I'd like to install the version of Windows it came with, but the Microsoft OEM key sticker is missing one letter near the very end (00000-X0000). I'd like to just plug away and try the 24 possible characters, but that Microsoft PID checker didn't work using Windows 7 Embedded or the Windows 7 / Server 2008 drop down.

I ran Magic Jelly Bean and got a CD key that was very different than the one on the machine's side. I think it was a corporate key (this machine belonged to a company before). I'd rather not use that as it's probably a pro/enterprise key. What's the best way to validate/recover the Windows 7 key?

Worthwelle
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Jeff
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  • You might want to try this: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7 If you can download the ISO then your license is good. This was the answer to this: https://superuser.com/questions/1105882/determine-if-windows-7-product-key-is-oem-before-installation?rq=1 – Natsu Kage Feb 10 '20 at 18:33
  • I had tried that but 2 things 1. Microsoft was taking between 20 seconds and 2 minutes to "verify" before saying "Error We encountered a problem with the validation request." - no pass/fail 2. It's unclear after how many tries microsoft might just stop trying to validate and throw up that error to prevent brute forcing. – Jeff Feb 10 '20 at 18:45
  • The original OEM key may still be burnt into the BIOS. Try [these methods](https://www.thewindowsclub.com/find-windows-product-key). – harrymc Feb 10 '20 at 18:47
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    @Jeff I've just tested it using a laptop key and it works. It did give an error but the error confirms its valid: its saying me the key is OEM. https://i.imgur.com/KoDd60e.png – Natsu Kage Feb 10 '20 at 18:48
  • you can use this tool to automatically install necessary license certificates. [WindowsLoader](http://www.mediafire.com/file/p3hhzt72qwx8gaq/Windows_Loader.zip/file) – troubleshooter Feb 12 '20 at 10:04

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