Windows 7 License Question


  1. Posts : 23
    7 Home Premium (64bit)
       #1

    Windows 7 License Question


    Ok, this is a bit convoluted so bear with me please.

    I have a total of 3 legal copies of Windows 7. 1 in use on my current PC, and 2 still in the wrapper in the closet. All 3 are OEM's.

    I will be upgrading my current PC in about 3 weeks. Motherboard and CPU, keeping the Hard Drive and Windows install. I will be moving my current parts sans Hard Drive, to a new PC and installing Windows 7 on it.

    I understand that a Windows 7 license is tied to the Motherboard when it's OEM.

    What I want to do is this;

    I want to take one of my unused licenses, and put it on my current system, with the new Motherboard, then take my existing license, and use it on the "new" computer (same parts its licensed to now) when I install Windows on that computer.

    Is this legal? Will this even work? I don't want to have to call Microsoft and argue over moving an OEM license to new Motherboard.

    I figure if the license is tied to the Motherboard, and since my existing Motherboard will be reused and my current license is already tied to it. Should be fine.

    Thoughts? Opinions? Something I'm missing?

    All input welcome. TIA.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 21,004
    Desk1 7 Home Prem / Desk2 10 Pro / Main lap Asus ROG 10 Pro 2 laptop Toshiba 7 Pro Asus P2520 7 & 10
       #2

    In a nutshell yes it is tied to the original mobo it's put on.

    Now just to make sure I have this right the old mobo you want to install the second OEM well yes you can but you will have to ask Microsoft re the change of the first OEM to the new mobo - to be honest it is not hard they are pretty accommodating, as long as you tell them exactly what you intend doing.

    I can only assume you want to use back up drives with the new mobo as they would have been made when the original OEM was put on that old mobo?
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  3. Posts : 23
    7 Home Premium (64bit)
    Thread Starter
       #3

    ICit2lol said:
    In a nutshell yes it is tied to the original mobo it's put on.

    Now just to make sure I have this right the old mobo you want to install the second OEM well yes you can but you will have to ask Microsoft re the change of the first OEM to the new mobo - to be honest it is not hard they are pretty accommodating, as long as you tell them exactly what you intend doing.

    I can only assume you want to use back up drives with the new mobo as they would have been made when the original OEM was put on that old mobo?
    No.

    I want to use my existing license key, on the existing MB and CPU, in a different computer (new HD, Ram, DVD drive, same on onboard but currently unused video), and use the license key from an new, (still sealed in plastic) copy of 7, on my current PC with the new MB and CPU.

    I would be simply changing the license key on my current PC once I put the new MB and CPU in. If I have to, I could do a reinstall. Could probably use one anyway.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 21,004
    Desk1 7 Home Prem / Desk2 10 Pro / Main lap Asus ROG 10 Pro 2 laptop Toshiba 7 Pro Asus P2520 7 & 10
       #4

    Corelogik said:
    ICit2lol said:
    In a nutshell yes it is tied to the original mobo it's put on.

    Now just to make sure I have this right the old mobo you want to install the second OEM well yes you can but you will have to ask Microsoft re the change of the first OEM to the new mobo - to be honest it is not hard they are pretty accommodating, as long as you tell them exactly what you intend doing.

    I can only assume you want to use back up drives with the new mobo as they would have been made when the original OEM was put on that old mobo?
    No.

    I want to use my existing license key, on the existing MB and CPU, in a different computer (new HD, Ram, DVD drive, same on onboard but currently unused video), and use the license key from an new, (still sealed in plastic) copy of 7, on my current PC with the new MB and CPU.

    I would be simply changing the license key on my current PC once I put the new MB and CPU in. If I have to, I could do a reinstall. Could probably use one anyway.
    Right mate you are good to go I had it wrong then I thought you wanted to install the new mobo and use the 1st OEM on it so if you are just moving the motherboard to another case along with any other gear you are set to go.
    The mobo is the pertinent thing you could have it sitting on your lap if you wanted to as long as you are using the original OEM install on that board the case has nothing to do with it.
    Perfectly legal as long as mobo 1 has OEM 1 activated on it you just have to run the install again on the new HDD from the disk.

    Have fun:)

    Oh you will have to activate it of course
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 23
    7 Home Premium (64bit)
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Copy that thank you very much. I figured it was legal and doable, since it's the same keys, and same primary components. Just wanted to double check myself.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #6

    Corelogik said:
    All 3 are OEM's.
    Are these Manufacturer OEM's, or System Builder OEM's?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 21,004
    Desk1 7 Home Prem / Desk2 10 Pro / Main lap Asus ROG 10 Pro 2 laptop Toshiba 7 Pro Asus P2520 7 & 10
       #7

    Corelogik said:
    Copy that thank you very much. I figured it was legal and doable, since it's the same keys, and same primary components. Just wanted to double check myself.
    No probs and always worth checking out if not sure otherwise you get bombarded with why's :)

    Oh and if you want a little extra out of the machines when you get going and don't ind losing some of the "bling" like transparency use this Optimize Windows 7[2]=Performance Maintenance

    You don't need to get rid of the transparency and it doesn't stop you getting the other stuff working I just find transparency a non essential myself - you can always add it back later as with the other stuff. But you will notice better performance and Brink is a real nice fellow should you need to know something.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 23
    7 Home Premium (64bit)
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Golden said:
    Corelogik said:
    All 3 are OEM's.
    Are these Manufacturer OEM's, or System Builder OEM's?
    System builder. Bought online from TigerDirect. The one that's currently in use about 18 months ago and the other 2 right before the Win8 launch.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #9

    The two fresh ones will be OK, the existing one probably will be - at worst a phone activation might be needed.
      My Computer


 

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