OEM activations are performed using the BIOS. Manufacturers embed the Windows serial number directly in the BIOS.
OEM Activation Using Consumer Media
- Using the tool: Media Creation Tool, activation will happen automatically.

- Select your language and click “Next”.

OEM Activation via Script
Windows 10 or Windows 11
You can retrieve the computer’s serial key and activate Windows via a script. An internet connection is required to complete the activation.
# Retrieve the OEM/BIOS embedded Windows product key
$key = (Get-WmiObject -Query 'SELECT * FROM SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey
# Install the retrieved product key
cscript C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs -ipk $key
# Attempt Windows activation
cscript C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs -ato
Windows 7 Pro
The product key is specific to each manufacturer. You’ll also need the associated OEM certificate.
| Manufacturer | Serial |
|---|---|
| Dell | 32KD2-K9CTF-M3DJT-4J3WC-733W |
| HP | 74T2M-DKDBC-788W3-H689G-6P6GT |
| Lenovo | 237XB-GDJ7B-MV8MH-98QJM-24367 |
Check Activation Status
- Windows 7 (VBScript)
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:\\.\root\cimv2")
Set colItems = objWMIService.ExecQuery("Select * From SoftwareLicensingProduct")
IsWinActivated = True
For Each objItem In colItems
If objItem.GracePeriodRemaining = 0 Then
If objItem.LicenseStatus = 1 Then
' Product is activated
Else
IsWinActivated = False
End If
End If
Next
If IsWinActivated = False Then
WScript.Echo "Activation Failed"
End If
- Windows 10 (PowerShell)
# Retrieve the original product key from BIOS/UEFI
$ProductKey = (Get-WmiObject -Class SoftwareLicensingService).OA3xOriginalProductKey
# Install the product key
cscript "C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs" -ipk $ProductKey
# Attempt activation
cscript "C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs" -ato
# Get licensing status for Windows
$ta = Get-CimInstance -ClassName SoftwareLicensingProduct -Filter "PartialProductKey IS NOT NULL" | Where-Object { $_.Name -like "Windows*" }
# Extract license status and description
$active = $ta.LicenseStatus
$description = $ta.Description
Write-Host "--- $description ---"
# If not activated, display failure message and wait for a key press
if ($active -ne 1) {
Write-Host "Activation Failed"
$null = $Host.UI.RawUI.ReadKey("NoEcho,IncludeKeyDown")
}
OEM Activation Scripts for Windows 11
Troubleshooting
- 0xC004F210 — Wrong edition key: reinstall with matching edition or change to correct edition.
- No OEM key — Device may be retail/volume: provide MAK/KMS or contact OEM.
- Proxy/Firewall — Allow activation endpoints or try later.
