Question about Retail box for W 7 Pro.

Halfbaked · 24 May 2010

I originally bought the early upgrade license from MS, from XP to W 7. I didn't realize at the time that, even though I had XP Retail license, I would lose that Retail part with the upgrade.
I learned quickly when I went to install x64 at a later date. Fortunately customer service helped get me taken care of.
When I had XP Retail I was able to re-install/repair whenever I wanted.
If I purchase W 7 Pro will I again be afforded that freedom? Or have they changed the licensing?
Do I need to buy a single license for more than 1 pc if I am only using it on 1 pc at a time?
Thanks for any help.
H

richc46 · 24 May 2010

With a Windows 7 upgrade or Retail. The rule is one computer at a time, as many times as you like. You cannot reuse the supporting OS. You may have to call MS, to explain that the OS was removed from the first PC, before you can reinstall, but there will be no problem.

gregrocker · 24 May 2010

Migrate retail to any computer of your choice without first installing XP by using the workaround here: https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

Reinstall as often as you want by booting the DVD, which will scan the HD to see another OS to allow Upgrade version key, even if you then proceed to use Custom>Drive Options to format the HD.

But reinstalls are never again needed if you save a Win7 Backup image when Win7 is running best right after intall. Then you can reimage your HD (or a replacement) in 15-20 minutes using your DVD or Repair CD.

Halfbaked · 24 May 2010

Thanks for the help.
I never had XP on this hard drive. I followed the instructions when I bought the upgrade.
However, MS gave me a hard time when I wanted to change from 32 bit to 64 bit.
I'm looking to upgrade to a newer motherboard and an i5 or i7 cpu platform.
I don't want to buy the parts and then be told I can't install my OS.
MS rep told me that the original discount upgrade that MS offered for W 7 eliminated my 'retail' OS status.
I'm looking for feedback on that.
Thanks.
H

richc46 · 24 May 2010

If you buy and upgrade, you must have a supporting system to upgrade from. Once you upgrade, the system you upgraded from can no longer be legally be used.

zigzag3143 · 24 May 2010

Halfbaked said:

I originally bought the early upgrade license from MS, from XP to W 7. I didn't realize at the time that, even though I had XP Retail license, I would lose that Retail part with the upgrade.
I learned quickly when I went to install x64 at a later date. Fortunately customer service helped get me taken care of.
When I had XP Retail I was able to re-install/repair whenever I wanted.
If I purchase W 7 Pro will I again be afforded that freedom? Or have they changed the licensing?
Do I need to buy a single license for more than 1 pc if I am only using it on 1 pc at a time?
Thanks for any help.
H

One Pc at a time=one license.

Tepid · 24 May 2010

richc46 said:

If you buy and upgrade, you must have a supporting system to upgrade from. Once you upgrade, the system you upgraded from can no longer be legally be used.

But, if you wanted to down grade back to that previous supporting OS, you can do so. You don't lose the license out right. You just can not use that license on another system after the upgrade.

gregrocker · 24 May 2010

Halfbaked said:

Thanks for the help.
I never had XP on this hard drive. I followed the instructions when I bought the upgrade.
However, MS gave me a hard time when I wanted to change from 32 bit to 64 bit.
I'm looking to upgrade to a newer motherboard and an i5 or i7 cpu platform.
I don't want to buy the parts and then be told I can't install my OS.
MS rep told me that the original discount upgrade that MS offered for W 7 eliminated my 'retail' OS status.
I'm looking for feedback on that.
Thanks.
H

I have never heard of downgrading retail status by getting any discount. It sounds like you either misunderstood or got some bad information.

The EULA also clearly states you are entitled to either 32 or 64 bit WIn7 with each license. So what was the problem with changing to 64 bit?

I would call MS Customer service to ask them to clarify this. This time take note of the agent's name and badge number and if you are not satisfied ask to elevate to a supervisor and get their name too.

Let us know what you find out.

richc46 · 24 May 2010

@ Tepid Bottom line your key is no longer valid.

Windows 7 Upgrade Guide: All Your Questions Answered - Page 2 | Maximum PC

Taken from the above. Your key is no longer valid.

Based on the terms as they are laid out in the EULA, no. Users who buy and install Windows 7 using the upgrade media should expect to lose access to the product key from their previous OS. While technically this has always been true with Windows upgrades, before XP, this worked on the honor system. With the debuted of product activations in XP, it is now a simple matter for Microsoft to enforce. During a Vista upgrade, the installer would collect your old product key, and send off a cancellation request to the activation server. Simply put, don’t bother upgrading a version of Windows that you will ever need to install somewhere else in the future (this includes dual boots). If you are hoping to make a multi-boot system, you will need to buy the full retail version of Windows 7, or find another spare copy to sacrifice to Redmond.
As mentioned in the previous step, many Vista users were able to use a workaround to get past this restriction by using the upgrade CD to perform a clean install without XP present. Legally you still aren’t allowed to use this version of Windows anymore, but if you ever chose to go back to the older OS instead, at least you would have that option. This is just one more reason (among many) to take the clean install approach.