How to edit registry for Windows 7 to accept registering product key

If you are doing a clean install of Windows 7 with an upgrade CD, you will have issues with registering Windows. Click here for information.

Below is a procedure that does not always work but will save you time and effort when it does.

Caution - Whenever editing the registry can cause issues to include data loss. Back up any files before editing the registry.

For a picture of the location in the registry, click the link

1. Back-up registry
2. Access Run or Search window
3. Type REGEDIT
4. Press Enter
   
5. Double-click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
6. Double-click Software
7. Double-click Microsoft
8. Double-click Windows
9. Double-click CurrentVersion
10. Double-click Setup
11. Double-click OOBE
12. On the window on the right, double-click MediaBootInstall
    
13. 13. Change the value from 1 to 0
    14. Click OK
    15. Click the Orb
    16. Type CMD in the search window
    
    
    
    
    1.    Press Enter
    2.    Type slmgr /rearm
    
    
    
    19.  Press Enter
    20.  You should get Command completed successfully
    21.  Reboot the computer
    22.  Attempt to register the computer.
    If it works, you are all set. If it doesn't work, you will need to do an upgrade of windows within windows.