Swap Windows 7 licence to another computer!

lightpainter · 18th June 2011, 07:49

I have recently built a new computer to replace my aging Dell Dimension 5000 running Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit.
For those that are interested it is based around a sandy bridge,

Asus P8p67-PRO motherboard,

Intel i5 2500K Processor,

Corsair Vengeance 8GB memory,

Housed in a Cooler Master Gladiator 600 Case,

Couldn’t believe how easy it was to build after watching some tutorials on YouTube, Simon on newegg.com I found very informative.
But to get back to the point, I always thought that the Windows 7 licence only allowed you to install it on one machine but as my Dell was only a 32bit and my Asus is a 64bit and the home premium came with both on two discs I thought I would try to install it on my new PC.
I did a clean install and waited a few days before activating it and it went through with no problem at all!

So if any of you chaps are out there wondering whether to have a go at self build if I can do it at 70 years old it will be a doddle for the rest of you!

humphshumphs · 18th June 2011, 08:09

It actually depends on the licence you have on your PC.

If it is an OEM licence, then it dies with the PC.
OEM are not transferable so you are not allowed to install it on another PC.

If you look on the little 'certificate of authenticity' the sticker on your PC with the window key on it, it will probably say OEM. If it doesn't then you are 'allowed' to install windows on another PC (but you have to try and get the COA off without ripping it!)

Hope this helps
Richard.

kissifer1972 · 18th June 2011, 08:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by humphshumphs

If it is an OEM licence, then it dies with the PC.
OEM are not transferable so you are not allowed to install it on another PC.

Or you could just swap the hard drive with Windows 7 on into your new PC as the boot drive??

Just a thought and I can't see why it wouldn't work.

Chris

Intruder · 18th June 2011, 08:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by kissifer1972

Or you could just swap the hard drive with Windows 7 on into your new PC as the boot drive??

Just a thought and I can't see why it wouldn't work.

drivers registry not a great idea that mate... As already said if it came with the PC and has a little sticker it will be OEM and no switching licence to another machine....

Tatts · 18th June 2011, 08:15

Sandy Bridge eh? I've got the SB i7.

You know there's a fault with them don't you?

Although it's 3Gbps ports that are affected, and can take up to 3 years to manifest.

kissifer1972 · 18th June 2011, 08:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intruder

drivers registry not a great idea that mate...

In your opinion...

Having built approximately 300 pc's over the last 20 years I would say it is a damn site quicker to update drivers than it is to setup from scratch. Windows will start, run slow, recognise the new hardware and firmware and go off to the www to find all the necessary drivers etc.

I would personally have tried it 1st

Intruder · 18th June 2011, 08:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by kissifer1972

In your opinion...

Having built approximately 300 pc's over the last 20 years I would say it is a damn site quicker to update drivers than it is to setup from scratch. Windows will start, run slow, recognise the new hardware and firmware and go off to the www to find all the necessary drivers etc.

I would personally have tried it 1st

Yes as I do it for a job and have done the last 12 years including sys admin...
Windows update knows the type of license... And will fire up this copy of windows is not genuine...

kissifer1972 · 18th June 2011, 08:36

Seems we work in the same field, am not going to argue this ad infinitum as we are getting well off-thread here, will have to agree to disagree....

18th June 2011, 07:49	#1
lightpainter Posted a thing or two 2004 Rover 75 Saloon 2.5 V6 Conn SE Auto Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rainham, Kent. Garden of England Posts: 1,162 Thanks: 28 Thanked 42 Times in 6 Posts	Swap Windows 7 licence to another computer! I have recently built a new computer to replace my aging Dell Dimension 5000 running Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit. For those that are interested it is based around a sandy bridge, Asus P8p67-PRO motherboard, Intel i5 2500K Processor, Corsair Vengeance 8GB memory, Housed in a Cooler Master Gladiator 600 Case, Couldn’t believe how easy it was to build after watching some tutorials on YouTube, Simon on newegg.com I found very informative. But to get back to the point, I always thought that the Windows 7 licence only allowed you to install it on one machine but as my Dell was only a 32bit and my Asus is a 64bit and the home premium came with both on two discs I thought I would try to install it on my new PC. I did a clean install and waited a few days before activating it and it went through with no problem at all! So if any of you chaps are out there wondering whether to have a go at self build if I can do it at 70 years old it will be a doddle for the rest of you! __________________ See my pictures here. My Flickr [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

18th June 2011, 08:15	#5
Tatts This is my second home MG6 TL Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tarn Posts: 5,269 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 37 Posts	Sandy Bridge eh? I've got the SB i7. You know there's a fault with them don't you? Although it's 3Gbps ports that are affected, and can take up to 3 years to manifest. __________________ http://www.wcgsig.com/115562.gif

18th June 2011, 08:36	#8
kissifer1972 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 CDTi Conn Tourer & Rover 75 CDT Conn SE Saloon Join Date: May 2010 Location: Queensbury Posts: 1,368 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Seems we work in the same field, am not going to argue this ad infinitum as we are getting well off-thread here, will have to agree to disagree.... __________________ Mods so far X-Power Performance Upgrade LED interior lights and sidelights Genuine Rover Xenons - now removed and sold Kenlowe fan Synergy 2 EGR Bypass

18th June 2011, 08:09	#2
humphshumphs I really should get out more....... No longer a Rover Owner Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: As far east as you can go in the UK and not get wet feet. Posts: 2,273 Thanks: 404 Thanked 309 Times in 246 Posts	It actually depends on the licence you have on your PC. If it is an OEM licence, then it dies with the PC. OEM are not transferable so you are not allowed to install it on another PC. If you look on the little 'certificate of authenticity' the sticker on your PC with the window key on it, it will probably say OEM. If it doesn't then you are 'allowed' to install windows on another PC (but you have to try and get the COA off without ripping it!) Hope this helps Richard.