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

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

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

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.

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 )

There's one born every minute.