Which product key to use after new hardware


  1. dmj94044
    Posts : 3
    Windows 7 home premium 64 bit
       New #1

    Which product key to use after new hardware


    I have a windows 7 home premium installation on my computer. The original disk was windows 7 home premium OEM (without SP1). I have since upgraded to SP1. I plan to change my motherboard and CPU. I'd like to use Sysprep to transfer my current hard drive to the new hardware. I realize I will need a new product key. Which version of Windows would I have to buy to get a workable product key: another OEM of windows 7 HP SP1, another OEM of windows 7 HP without SP1, or a retail version of windows 7 HP with SP1. (I'm confused because on the Microsoft site it states that a key for SP1 will not activate a system without SP1) Thank you. Don
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  3. Golden
    Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       New #2

    Hi Don,

    A retail version of Windows Home Premium (with or without SP1) should do you just fine.

    Have a read through this to help you sort out the various versions:

    http://www.microsoft.com/download/en...ang=en&id=4984

    Regards,
    Golden
    Last edited by Golden; 28 Dec 2011 at 03:49. Reason: add product info link
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  4. dmj94044
    Posts : 3
    Windows 7 home premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Thanks for your help. This is what had me confused (from a MS website):
    "You might be using a product key that doesn't match the version of Windows 7 that's installed on your computer. Check the product key to make sure it is for the version that you are trying to activate. You can't use a product key for Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) to activate a copy of Windows 7 without SP1".
    I took that to mean you couldn't use a Win7 SP1 key to activate windows original installed with Win7 without SP1.
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  6. jimbo45
    Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       New #4

    Hi there
    You'll need to buy a new version of windows.

    This site looks good, legit and cheap.

    OEM Software // Search results

    Cheers
    jimbo
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