Getting a New Desktop: Is there a Windows 7 installation limit?

Hey everyone.

I apologize in advance if this is the wrong location to post this, but it seemed a bit out of place for the official installation support forum.

I'm currently in the process of building a custom desktop and have to determine if I'll be investing in an operating system for a functional product key. I have a Windows 7 Professional 64bit OS install disc at my disposal, but it's been used a few times in the past already and I fear that there may be some form of installation limit as to how many times it can be used before having to purchase a new copy.

I've read mixed answers online ranging from a singular install total (which I know to be incorrect considering I've used it across a laptop and desktop simultaneously), three maximum (where most of my concern is coming from because it's been used once on the desktop and twice on different hard drives inside the laptop due to an old drive failure), and infinite so long as only one copy is officially activated at a time (which would be strange since it's worked without issue across both of my devices for two years running at this point).

My question is quite simple. Do you know if I'd be able to use my existing Windows 7 install disc without a hitch on a new desktop? Would I have to uninstall it from one of my older devices? Or is it absolutely necessary for me to purchase a new OS package?

I'm just looking for clarity on this situation.

Any help would be immensely appreciated, and I thank you for your time.

Brink said:

Hello RJP, and welcome to Seven Forums. :)

If this is a retail copy of Windows 7, then you are allowed to install and activate it on any computer so long as it's removed from any other computer first.

If it doesn't activate online as usual for whatever reason, then you could activate by phone instead.

This answered everything I needed to know.

Thank you very kindly for the prompt and informative response.