Is Windows 7 retail copy really for up to 3 computers?

Brink · 18 Oct 2011

WiL11o6 said:

Thanks for the replies, the problem is not within trying to activate Windows 7. The problem is I cannot even get onto the desktop. I am stuck at the product key page, when I'm trying to setup my account log in name and password. It says invalid product key.

But it's already been answered I guess. I didn't buy the Windows 7 Family Pack, so I am only limited to one computer.

If and only if you have it uninstalled from the 1st computer (and any other computer), then you could try to activate it by phone.

WiL11o6 · 18 Oct 2011

Yes

How would I uninstall from 1st computer? Just boot from Windows 7 CD and then format computer? Or is there another way of doing it?

seavixen32 · 18 Oct 2011

You can use Diskpart as this tutorial explains.

Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command

bobkn · 18 Oct 2011

WiL11o6 said:

I know this has been asked a lot, and I have googled a lot trying to find a real answer to this. I have the retail Windows 7 Home, and I have done numerous reformatting on my computer until I bought a new computer. I tried to use the same CD-Key, but it says it is an invalid product key.

I was thinking, maybe it's up to 3 installs no matter what computer, however, I have done more than 3 installs on my same computer with no problems with the product key. I have read that it's good for up to 3 computers, not 3 installs.

I'm just irritated that I spent $100 on a Windows 7, and I'm locked down to one computer, that I'm not even going to use anymore. I have my new computer built, it's just sitting here, but I have no OS to install it on since my CD key isn't valid.

Is there something I need to do to re-validate the product key?

Thanks.

A bit late to enter this discussion, but some points of clarification:

The Windows 7 family pack is an upgrade license which can be used to activate 3 PCs. That's the only retail Win7 version that I know of that permits it.

Microsoft Office 2010 Home & Student can be activated on 3 PCs, but that has nothing to do with Windows, other than being an application suite that runs under Windows.

A retail Windows 7 license is transferrable to a new computer. (An OEM or System Builder version is not supposed to be transferrable.) You are supposed to remove it fromt the old PC, but as far as I know, it's on the honor system. I have read claims that Microsoft will deactivate Windows on the old PC if it is connected to the Internet while activated with the key, but I find that hard to believe. Failing WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) seems likelier.