Windows 7: Can I reuse my Win 7 key on the same PC?

Hi everybody, I built a new PC and bought a key for Windows 7 SP1. I used a Win 7 pre SP1 disk and updated the computer to SP1 then activated Win 7 normally. That was last week. Now I got an SSD and wanted to install Windows on that instead since I have nothing on the HDD apart from Windows and one game. I plan on installing the SSD, disconnecting the HDD, and installing from the disk. Once Windows is installed I plan on inserting the HDD again and formatting it using the new Windows 7 install.



Will I be able to reuse the same Windows 7 key? I believe it will require a manual activation by calling MS but I just wanted to get some info on this before I begin this process.

Thanks for you time.

You shouldn't have any problem - if you do encounter problems with activation, simply use Telephone activation and speak to an operator.



telephone activation (operator calls)
Click on the Start button
in the Search box, type
SLUI 4
and hit the Enter key
follow the instructions, but when asked which service you require by the telephone ansafone, do NOT reply - this should force an operator to respond, who can deal with you

Thanks for the reply I just wanted to make sure in case I would have to buy another key.

Good luck with the SSD - remember that they need special care and setup before installing Windows.
SSD - Install and Transfer the Operating System

A word of caution. When you install Windows on the SSD, temporarily disconnect your HDD from the system, or the Windows installer may place the boot sector on your HDD and you won't be able to boot your PC without it.

Well I plan on completely removing the HDD, adding the SSD and running Windows installation on the SSD. Once Windows is installed on the SSD I am going to reattach the HDD, boot to the SSD and remove the old Windows installation by formatting the HDD. I then plan on updating the new Windows to SP1 and attempt to activate it. I'll see what happens once I get there and whether I can activate without calling MS. Does that look like a sound plan?

Thanks for all the help and advice by the way.

Sounds like a decent plan to me
There's no real need to reinstall the HDD before activation (although it may be a good idea, as it will be detect by the OS when it creates the hardware hash to send to the activation center, and marginally reduce the chances of a telephone request)

Ok thanks for the advice.