Windows 7 OEM: backup and restore activation

1. Download ABR beta for Windows 7 OEM and extract it on to a USB drive.
2. Run activation_backup.exe in the extracted ABR folder.
3. It will create two backup files:

    backup-key.txt: Backup license key 
   backup-cert.xrm-ms: Backup activation certificate

4. Re-install windows 7
5. Run the following commands to restore the activation:
   1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
   2. Run

      slmgr.vbs /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

      where replaces XXX with your Windows 7 production key which was backed up into backup-key.txt file
   3. Run

      slmgr.vbs /ilc backup-file.xrm-ms

      to restore the activation.

See also

• ABR (Activation Backup and Restore)