# Installing Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESU) Keys

Created On December 7, 2019 by Christopher Angell

## Installing and Activating

## Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESU) Key

This article is intended to assist in installing and activating your purchased Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESU) key on your Windows 7 PC.

### **Installation Prerequisites**

The following steps must be completed on the PC before installing and activating ESU keys:

1. Install the SHA-2 code signing support update and servicing stack update (SSU) or a later SSU:

**Windows 7 SP1**
   [Servicing stack update for Windows 7 SP1](https://support.microsoft.com/help/4490628)
   [SHA-2 code signing support update for Windows 7](https://support.microsoft.com/help/4474419)

2. Install the following SSU _and_ monthly rollup:

**Windows 7 SP1:** [Servicing stack update for Windows 7 SP1: September 10, 2019 (KB4516655)](https://support.microsoft.com/help/4516655)
   [October 8, 2019: Monthly Rollup (KB4519976)](https://support.microsoft.com/help/4519976)

### **Installation and Activation**

Once you have addressed the prerequisites, you’re ready to install and activate Extended Security Updates. Machines must be connected to the internet in order to install and activate.

First, install the ESU product key using the Windows Software Licensing Management Tool (slmgr):

**Note:** Installing the ESU product key will not replace the current OS activation method being used on the device. This is achieved by using the Activation ID to differentiate between the operating system’s activation and the ESU activation.

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt (right click and Run as Administrator) from the start menu.
2. Type **slmgr /ipk _<Your ESU key>_** (without the < and > and press **Enter**.
3. If the product key installed successfully, you will see a message similar to the following:

Next, find the ESU Activation ID:

1. In the same elevated Command Prompt, type **slmgr /dlv** and press **Enter**.
2. Note the **Activation ID** as you will need it in the next step.

Now, you’ll activate the ESU product key:

1. On an elevated Command Prompt (right click and Run as Administrator) from the start menu.
2. Type **slmgr /ato _<ESU Activation Id>_** (without the < and > ) and press **Enter**.

3. If you get the above “Product Activated Successfully” message, you have successfully installed and activated the Windows 7 Extended Security Updates for this PC.

### Verifying Your Install

Once you have activated the Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESU) product key, you can verify the status at any time by following these steps:

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt.
2. Type **slmgr /dlv** and select **Enter**.
3. Licensed Status shows Licensed information for the corresponding ESU program, as shown below:

**NOTE**: If you have an enterprise deployment we recommend using a management tool, such as System Center Configuration Manager, to send the slmgr commands as scripts to your devices.