License number vista home premium

Note If Windows Vista was preinstalled by an original equipment manufacturer OEM , the product key appears on a sticker on the case of the computer. To activate Windows Vista online, you must have an Internet connection. To activate Windows Vista by telephone, you must use the automated telephone system.

To activate Windows Vista, follow these steps:. Click Start , and then click Computer. Click System properties on the toolbar, and then click Click here to activate Windows now in the Windows activation area.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue. Note If you select the automatic activation method when you first set up your computer, the automatic activation process tries to activate your copy of Windows Vista three days after you first log on. Click System properties on the toolbar, and view the Windows Vista activation status in the Windows activation area at the bottom of the System properties box. If you are re-installing Windows or reactivating Windows, the activation process may not be completed successfully when you try to activate Windows Vista over the Internet by using the Windows Activation Wizard.

If this occurs, you should activate Windows over the telephone. To activate Windows Vista over the telephone, follow these steps:. Click Use the automated telephone system in the Windows Activation Wizard.

On rare occasions, you may be prompted to activate Windows Vista on a computer that did not previously require Windows Vista activation or was already activated successfully.

For example, this may occur on a computer where Windows Vista was preinstalled by an OEM or Volume Licensing installation and major hardware changes have occurred, such as upgrading the hard disk and memory at the same time.

If you are prompted to reactivate Windows Vista, you can do so by using the Windows Activation Wizard:. To prevent this problem in the future, you should obtain the latest service pack for your installed version of Windows Vista, either through automatic updates or direct download. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread. I have the same question Report abuse. Details required :. Cancel Submit. Noel D Paton. The problem appears to be in the Licensing Store - please try the following Recreate the Licensing Store with the correct data.

John I can only speak for Dell, but I know 3 years after I bought my desktop, they sent me all the original discs. I did the same thing Go back to where you bought it and see if they offer something like that.

Depending on the make and model of your computer this may be a "generic" OEM disc or one which is specific to the make e. Dell or to the model several other major makes. Isnt there any hidden partition that contain the image so that you can do factory recovery? Dalsan M Unfortunately, since Windows Vista is no longer being sold, there isn't a truly legal way to download the ISO from Microsoft. Google may be of help to you from here as I wouldn't want to link to something that wouldn't be legal.

I would, however, tell you that if you choose to download an ISO, make sure that it is from a legitimate or safe website may be difficult to find.