Windows 7: Re-activating my Windows 7 Pro 32bit to a new laptop~

gmartz · 23 Nov 2010

my old laptop suddenly crashed due to motherboard problem but luckily my hard drive was saved so I bought an enclosure for it to recover the files. so my problem is, i'll buy a new laptop without an OS since i have an original license key for my Windows 7 pro 32bit but i have no idea how to re-activate it for the new laptop. or is it still possible to re-activate it using my license from my busted laptop?

**got my license from msdn

Tews · 23 Nov 2010

You should be able to activate it by phone without any problems...

Activate Windows 7 by Phone

mborner · 29 Nov 2010

Unfortunately, your original license key is likely to be OEM. In that case, the operating system cannot be migrated to another system, ever. If your your original Windows installation is somehow retail, there will be no problem.

Luckystar · 29 Nov 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by mborner

Unfortunately, your original license key is likely to be OEM. In that case, the operating system cannot be migrated to another system, ever. If your your original Windows installation is somehow retail, there will be no problem.

Not quite but what Tews said is right

So you know - The motherboard/laptop has to be identical to the last you one you owned, same model/part number.

But this only works if your replacing the motherboard like-for-like

Phone Microsoft, explain the situation and they should be able to transfer the license.

Lucky

Windows 7: Re-activating my Windows 7 Pro 32bit to a new laptop~

Re-activating my Windows 7 Pro 32bit to a new laptop~ problems?