Activating a second PC down the line?

amdowney · 06 Nov 2009

I have bought 2 licences for my PC & Laptop, Home and a Pro.

I was wondering though, going on how the previous versions of Windows works - if I was to activate the 1 Pro PC now, then decide I want Pro on the laptop in the future and was to reintall and use the same product key, surely if I ring MS in a few months down the line to activate they will let me do it as if I got a new PC? I know in the past they'll let you activate a couple of times per year with a key?

TheSchaft · 06 Nov 2009

amdowney said:

I have bought 2 licences for my PC & Laptop, Home and a Pro.

I was wondering though, going on how the previous versions of Windows works - if I was to activate the 1 Pro PC now, then decide I want Pro on the laptop in the future and was to reintall and use the same product key, surely if I ring MS in a few months down the line to activate they will let me do it as if I got a new PC? I know in the past they'll let you activate a couple of times per year with a key?

I believe you are correct, it worked that way when I rebuilt my XP system. I just called Microsoft, told them what I had done, read them the key, and they put me in touch with a number to call to get a new key.

If you have the time, you might want to check with them ahead of time just to be sure.

SquonkSC · 06 Nov 2009

amdowney said:

I have bought 2 licences for my PC & Laptop, Home and a Pro.

I was wondering though, going on how the previous versions of Windows works - if I was to activate the 1 Pro PC now, then decide I want Pro on the laptop in the future and was to reintall and use the same product key, surely if I ring MS in a few months down the line to activate they will let me do it as if I got a new PC? I know in the past they'll let you activate a couple of times per year with a key?

I can confirm this.

Even with the OEM version of Vista Ultimate I had on my laptop, I called them and activated it on my HTPC.
No questions asked what so ever.

greetings