Use Win7 product key for new computer

Allow me to elaborate. I plan to upgrade from Windows 7 Ultimate to Windows 8 Pro. After doing so, can I reuse the Windows 7 product key on another computer? Thanks!

Hello daicon0 and welcome to Seven Forums.

It depends if the Windows 7 Ultimate is OEM or full install. If the Ultimate was installed by a computer manufacturer or if you upgraded to Ultimate by using a OEM disk, then that copy of Ultimate is forever tied to that original computer. But if the Ultimate was installed using a full install disk, it can be transferred from computer to computer as long as it's activated on only one computer at a time.

daicon0 said:

Allow me to elaborate. I plan to upgrade from Windows 7 Ultimate to Windows 8 Pro. After doing so, can I reuse the Windows 7 product key on another computer? Thanks!

If using the Windows 8 Pro upgrade, NO.

You can do a clean install, but you need to delete the Windows 7 install.


Windows 8 EULA

Microsoft said:

What about upgrading the software? The software covered by this agreement is an upgrade to your existing operating system software, so the upgrade replaces the original software that you are upgrading. You do not retain any rights to the original software after you have upgraded and you may not continue to use it or transfer it in any way. This agreement governs your rights to use the upgrade software and replaces the agreement for the software from which you upgraded. After you complete your upgrade, additional software will be required to playback or record certain types of media, including DVDs.

Thanks for the replies! I do have windows 7 ultimate full install discs (32 & 64 bit). So, it doesn't matter whether a clean windows 8 (the current $40 digital download) is installed or not; I won't be able use the windows 7 product key exclusively on another computer. Is that right?

That's disappointing. Have they released windows 8 full version? I swear I can only find the upgraded version...

I want to upgrade because I'm a nerd at heart; therefore, need to determine for myself as to whether or not it works for me. I decided to get the digital copy, currently $39.99, and plan to install it later.

Thanks for all the help, members! I'm marking the thread as solved based on the below. Special thanks to theog!

Windows 8 EULA

Microsoft said:

What about upgrading the software? The software covered by this agreement is an upgrade to your existing operating system software, so the upgrade replaces the original software that you are upgrading. You do not retain any rights to the original software after you have upgraded and you may not continue to use it or transfer it in any way. This agreement governs your rights to use the upgrade software and replaces the agreement for the software from which you upgraded. After you complete your upgrade, additional software will be required to playback or record certain types of media, including DVDs.

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