My Windows 7 crashed - re-install wavelab element 8

There’s a procedure on the Steinberg site to help you with that. I think the help desk is also involved, because they have to supply you with a new activation code.
This all assuming that you completely wiped your HD and started with a new Windows install as well. Thing is, standard WL Elements uses a soft license on the HD on one computer. To avoid next time, you could buy a USB key to transfer the license to.