Want to uninstall W7, and move it to another PC, and...

I currently have W7 installed on my HTPC which runs Media Center 95% of the time. My desktop currently runs Vista. I have decided that since I only run Windows Media Center on the HTPC, I would like to move Vista to the HTPC, and W7 to the desktop, since there are alot of features on W7 that would be better put to use on the desktop. Both Vista, and W7 are non OEM "Ultimate" versions. I have the original discs, packaging, and keys for both, so they are legit. Since it is my understanding that each can only be used on one machine at a time, is there a way to "deactivate" each, and "reactivate" them on the other machines?

Thanks in advance...

Don

Clean install 7 on the desktop - reformat - then clean install - reformat - vista on the HTPC. I would buy another copy of 7 on the desktop and kill Vista, but that's up to you. Then reactivate as normal - you may have to call Microsoft.

First try physically swapping the HD's to see if either will startup on the other machine. I've had good experience moving Win7 HD's to other machines. It will swap out all the drivers, request several restarts, then work fine if it starts in the first place.

Several have reported that they didn't even need to change activation, however I have always immediately changed out the key at Computer>Properties link to refresh it on the new hardware. If you needed to do more, you can run a Repair Install which resets the activation and fully acclimates to the new hardware.

Before trying this, I would create a system image of each HD saved externally, so if necessary you can reimage it to the other machine's HD. You can even save the image in a primary partition on the same or secondary HD. The booted DVD or Repair CD will detect it there to reimage via network to other HD.