Can't Get Key? Here's HOW, How To..Extra KEYS

Yes they are charging extra, for each laptop and desktop I will have to buy a package I have 4 laptops and 1 desktop so it will cost a small fortune to buy an OS for each one. I had hoped that as they were all being used in one home I would only have to buy it once, it appears that is not the case. I have now spoken to Microsoft and they have confirmed each one will have to be bought separately, However there is an option to buy a family pack which can be used on 3 units so it looks like I will have to sell the original one I have bought and buy 2 home packages in order to load it on to all my PCs.

pcclueless said:

Yes they are charging extra, for each laptop and desktop I will have to buy a package I have 4 laptops and 1 desktop so it will cost a small fortune to buy an OS for each one. I had hoped that as they were all being used in one home I would only have to buy it once, it appears that is not the case. I have now spoken to Microsoft and they have confirmed each one will have to be bought separately, However there is an option to buy a family pack which can be used on 3 units so it looks like I will have to sell the original one I have bought and buy 2 home packages in order to load it on to all my PCs.

Good you've gotten rid of the notion a single key can be used on multiple computers. The only exception is the Home premium family pack as you have discovered thats good for 3 machines.

Well it is a lesson learned for me, in hindsight I should have checked before I bought, still I will know better for any future purchases from Microsoft. Once again thank you for all your advice. Take care.

I'm not sure if this is actually possible but if it is it could save some money. I think you might be able to do a clean install using the family pack upgrade version rather than the full install version. If this isn't possible due to EULA violations or something else I hope one of our more knowledgeable members will chime in.

Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

I recently used Windows Anytime Upgrade to upgrade from Win 7 Pro to Ultimate and all I had to do was let Microsoft raid my credit card, in return they e-mailed me a product key.

Windows 7 - Microsoft Small Business Centre

The easiest way to install from the upgrade version of Windows 7 is to install it WITHOUT entering the product key. Next, carry out a custom install, enter your product key this time and you'll finish up with a full version of Win 7 that will activate just fine.

It would appear that the first install somehow tells Windows you qualify for the upgrade.

marsmimar said:

I'm not sure if this is actually possible but if it is it could save some money. I think you might be able to do a clean install using the family pack upgrade version rather than the full install version. If this isn't possible due to EULA violations or something else I hope one of our more knowledgeable members will chime in.

Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

The family pack IS an upgrade version. OP needs a qualifying base license for each machine he plans to use the pack on (XP/Vista though not necessarily installed on the machine).

seavixen32 said:

I recently used Windows Anytime Upgrade to upgrade from Win 7 Pro to Ultimate and all I had to do was let Microsoft raid my credit card, in return they e-mailed me a product key.

Windows 7 - Microsoft Small Business Centre

The easiest way to install from the upgrade version of Windows 7 is to install it WITHOUT entering the product key. Next, carry out a custom install, enter your product key this time and you'll finish up with a full version of Win 7 that will activate just fine.

It would appear that the first install somehow tells Windows you qualify for the upgrade.

The Anytime upgrade can only be used to switch from a lower win7 edition to a higher one, it cannot be used on a machine running XP or Vista. Second, AU is also a single license, it can only be used on a single machine at any given time. Overall, the home premium family pack is the cheapest version available for multiple computers (not talking about technet/msdn licenses).

Although it wouldnt be a bad idea to explore technet. 2 home premium family packs would cost around $300, while for a little more the OP could get a technet license with many more keys I think.

Thanks for the clarification, Bill.

Thanks also for the clarification, Bill.

The issues of upgrades and licensing seem to be more complicated by the day. I'm in no way advocating piracy, but it's easy to see why people do it.

Even when you've forked out hard-earned money for the latest operating system you don't actually own it as the intellectual rights rest with Microsoft. All we're doing in fact is paying a lot of money for a licence to use the software.

I found this interesting article that suggests buying an OEM licence may be a cheaper option even with its limitations. Is it OK to use OEM Windows on your own PC? Don't ask Microsoft | ZDNet