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A Windows product key is a 25-character code used to activate Windows. It looks like this: PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. Locate your product key for Windows 10. Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10, you'll need either a 25-character product key or a digital license to activate it. Windows 7 Ultimate Key. I I uptade to windows 7 ultimate by using first product key.thanks again. Rogelio says: June 28, 2020 at 10:35 pm. Choose ‘I already have a product key’ in the upcoming window and enter the product key you’ve received for Windows Media Center and Proceed. After entering the key correctly, Windows will display that the key works. Now proceed to the next Window, check ‘I accept the license terms’.
The edition configuration (EI.cfg) file and the product ID (PID.txt) file are optional configuration files that you can use to specify the Windows® product key and the Windows edition during Windows installation. You can use these files to automate the product-key entry page in Windows Setup instead of using an answer file. If you use an EI.cfg file to differentiate volume license media, but you do not include a PID.txt file, the user receives a prompt for a product key to continue Windows Setup.
You can reuse the product key in the product ID file for multiple installations. The product key in the product ID file is only used to install Windows. This key is not used to activate Windows. For more information, see Work with Product Keys and Activation.
Using EI.cfg and PID.txt
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- Create these configuration files in a text editor such as Notepad.
- Save the files into the
Sources
folder on the installation media. Windows Setup will use these files automatically during installation. - Run Windows Setup. Setup uses these files during the Windows PE configuration pass as soon as it is launched.
Note An answer file takes precedence over these files. If you use an answer file during installation, Windows Setup ignores the EI.cfg and PID.txt files.
EI.cfg Format
The EI.cfg file specifies the values for the edition ID, the channel, and the volume license.
The EI.cfg file has the following format:
{Edition ID} must be a valid Windows edition ID, for example, 'Enterprise'. To obtain the current EditionID, use the Dism /Get-ImageInfo command or the Dism /Get-CurrentEdition command. For more information, see Take Inventory of an Image or Component Using DISM and DISM Windows Edition-Servicing Command-Line Options.
{Channel Type} must be either 'OEM' or 'Retail'
{Volume License} must be either 1, if this is a volume license, or 0, if this is not a volume license. For example:
PID.txt Format
The PID.txt file contains the product key for the edition of Windows that you are installing.
The PID.txt file has the following format:
where XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX is the product key.
Troubleshooting
'The product key entered does not match any of the Windows images available for installation. Enter a different product key.': You may need to download a separate version of Windows. OEM versions are only available to OEMs, and volume licenses are only available to MSDN subscribers.
Related topics
A Windows product key is a 25-character code used to activate Windows. It looks like this:
PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Locate your product key for Windows 10
Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10, you'll need either a 25-character product key or a digital license to activate it. A digital license (called a digital entitlement in Windows 10, Version 1511) is a method of activation in Windows 10 that doesn't require you to enter a product key. Without one of these, you won't be able to activate your device.
Where to find your product key depends on how you got your copy of Windows.
Select any of the following to see more information:
A new PC running Windows
The product key is preinstalled on your PC, included with the packaging the PC came in, or included on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to the PC. For more info, contact your hardware manufacturer, and for pictures of authentic product keys and COA labels, see How to tell your hardware is genuine.
A copy of Windows 10 from an authorized retailer
The product key is on a label or card inside the box that Windows came in. For more info, contact the retailer that sold you Windows 10. How to tell your software is genuine.
A digital copy of Windows 10 from an authorized retailer
Find your product key in the confirmation email you received after buying Windows 10 or in a digital locker accessible through the retailer’s website.
A digital copy from a Microsoft website
The product key is in the confirmation email you received after buying your digital copy of Windows. Microsoft only keeps a record of product keys if you purchased from the Microsoft online store. You can find out if you purchased from Microsoft in your Microsoft account Order history.
Free upgrade to Windows 10
If you upgraded to Windows 10 for free from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you should have a digital license instead of a product key.
Windows 10 Store App
Windows Media Center Product Key
If you bought Windows 10 Home, Professional, or Upgrade to Pro in the Windows 10 Store app, you'll receive a digital license instead of a product key. You can use the digital license for activation.
If your product key is scratched, blurred, or otherwise unusable, contact the retailer who sold you the product. If you aren't able to get help from your retailer or have already tried and couldn't get a working key, call Microsoft Support.
For more information about digital licenses and product keys in Windows 10, see the “Methods of Activation” section in Activate Windows 10.
Locate your product key for Windows 7 or Windows 8.1
A product key is usually required when uninstalling or reinstalling Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. Generally, if you bought a physical copy of Windows, the product key should be on a label or card inside the box that Windows came in. If Windows came preinstalled on your PC, the product key should appear on a sticker on your device. If you’ve lost or can’t find the product key, contact the manufacturer. To ensure your product key is genuine, see How to tell your software is genuine and How to tell your hardware is genuine.
Related links
Windows authenticity
For info about how to tell if your copy of Windows is genuine Microsoft software, see the How to tell page.
Windows download and installation
For more Windows 10 download info, see Download Windows 10.
If you need installation media to install or reinstall Windows, see Create installation media for Windows to learn how to create your own installation media using either a USB flash drive or a DVD.
Windows 7 Media Center Product Key Free
Windows activation
If you need more help with activation, see Activate Windows 10.
If you're getting an activation error, seeGet help with Windows activation errors.
If you’re reinstalling Windows 10, you might not need a Windows product key. See Activation in Windows 10 for more info.
If you're reinstalling Windows 10 due to a motherboard problem or some other hardware issue, see Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change.
Other product keys
Windows 7 Media Center Edition
If you're looking for product keys for Office, apps, games, and more, see Find your Microsoft downloads and product keys