Can I reuse my Win7 ev. copy on another PC

I have tested a Windows 7 evaluation on my home built (older) desktop PC for some time and have now bought and installed Win 7. It runs like a dream.

I would like to test Windows 7 on my HP laptop currently with an OEM Windows XP OS installed PRIOR to yet another Windows 7 OS purchase. According to the Windows upgrade advisor the laptop MIGHT run well on Windows 7.

The Win 7 evaluation copy has been activated on my desktop PC with the code delivered by Micrsosoft. Is it possible to reuse the copy for testing purpose only on my laptop?

You could also find a download of Windows 7 or a disc and install it without a key. It will run for 30 days and you can re-activate the trial four times.

-Bill

Bill: Thank you for your quick answer. I have previously burned a disk with Win 7 ev. copy and as I understand it won't work after March 2, 2010. I presume I just have to NOT let it activate automatically during setup.

gregrocker said:

Use any version of Windows 7 free for 120 days

If you can get ahold of the RTM in any version (such as previously mentioned Enterprise trial being offered by MS) then you'll get a much better install to test your laptop with.

If not, I don't see any reason why you can't use the RC up to June 1 when it expires, either by using the license key or extending activation deadline using the workaround linked.

If you decide to keep Win7 on the laptop, many are reporting this works very well: Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to any retail version Icrontic Tech

Thank you for the links and info. I do not have much knowledge on the various ways to test Windows 7 before purchase, as I got the present ev. copy (build 7100) long time ago (August 2009, I think) just to compare it with my not very old Vista Professional.

Hi Kirsten,

As you have a valid copy of win7 (running on your desktop), simply install this again on your laptop without activating and use the re-arm to fully evaluate - then if you find that you wish to run win7 long term on the laptop you can simply purchase another copy of the same SKU and activate your evaluation copy with the new key that comes with the new copy.

Barman58 said:

Hi Kirsten,

As you have a valid copy of win7 (running on your desktop), simply install this again on your laptop without activating and use the re-arm to fully evaluate - then if you find that you wish to run win7 long term on the laptop you can simply purchase another copy of the same SKU and activate your evaluation copy with the new key that comes with the new copy.

Hi Barman58.
This is a very good tip, except that I might plan to buy an upgrade version of Win7 for my laptop and not the "clean install" version I just bought and installed on my desktop.

Isn't it true that I can upgrade the Win XP Home version on my laptop with a Win7 upgrade version? I know, of course, I have to format the harddisk during the install. As a senior citizen it would be nice to save some 100$, if possible.

You can read more about upgrading from XP to 7 here:

Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 - Help & How-to - Microsoft Windows

Build 7100 is older, bugs and what not have been fixed since then. Probably best to test with the current build (7600).

-Bill

Thank you all for very good advice and tips to upgrade my laptop to windows 7.