Will Microsoft provide me a new key if I buy a used hard drive?

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  1. Posts : 158
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit
       #1

    Will Microsoft provide me a new key if I buy a used hard drive?


    Hello,

    I saw a used hard drive with Microsoft 7 retail installed but there is no key or something..
    Is there a way to get a new key if the Windows is genuine?

    Thanks
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,642
    Windows 10 Pro (x64)
       #2

    Its called buying a new copy. They won't give you another key. I doubt the copy of Windows on the HDD is genuine anyways. More then likely a pirated copy.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
       #3

    mibaup said:
    Hello,

    I saw a used hard drive with Microsoft 7 retail installed but there is no key or something..
    Is there a way to get a new key if the Windows is genuine?

    Thanks
    Getting a copy of Windows 7 is not hard. It is in many places on the internet. The thing you are paying for is the Product Key. That is what makes the Windows 7 legit.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 158
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    And if the copy of this Windows is genuine? and the key was lost?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
       #5

    mibaup said:
    And if the copy of this Windows is genuine? and the key was lost?
    Let's assume the product key has been typed into the copy of Windows in the Hard Drive. If the copy is an OEM copy then it would not be legal on your PC because it is tied to the PC it was originally installed on. If it is an Upgrade copy, then it would not be legal on your PC because you do not have a previous version of Windows. If it were a Retail Version of Windows and it had the Key typed in, then it would be legal on your PC. That is a lot to take to chance. I would skip that deal.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #6

    I also would skip the deal unless it was priced low enough to make getting the drive alone worth it.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 24,479
    Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
       #7

    MS doesn't give anything away. As an alternative you could image your current w7 to the used drive or clone it.
      My Computer

  8.    #8

    To answer your question: You can change the Product Key at the link at Computer>Properties but you'd have to start Win7 first which is unlikely on new hardware without adjusting it using an adaptive restore boot CD like Paragon Adaptive Restore CD.

    If you know for sure the install has an available good retail Product Key no longer being used by the previous owner then you can audit it using Belarc Advisor. If it doesn't have "OEM" in the Product ID string then it may be useable for doing a Clean Install Windows 7 or reinserting into the existing install which will most likely reject activation due to the changed hardware. Otherwise you'll have to buy a new Product Key to insert or Clean Install.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 158
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thank you all guys!
    So I will ask him if the hard drive is genuine .. if not I'll skip..
    Btw.. if somebody lies to me about the copy of Windows (he tells me it's genuine and it's not), Will Microsoft then be considerate and give me a key? ( It was kind of rhetorical question.. but maybe some of you heard of stories )
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #10

    There's one born every minute.
      My Computer


 
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