Solved Windows 7 Family Pack - Deactivate one installation

[Lava King]

Hi all,

I bought the Family Pack (3 computer license) when it was first commercially available. I initially installed one license each on my new desktop computer and a Toshiba notebook. Much later I installed the third license on my home theater computer.

Now, I would like to deactivate Windows 7 on the Toshiba notebook and go back to the factory install of Vista prior to selling it. Then, I want to BootCamp that license on my MacBook Pro.

Is Microsoft notified in some way that an install has been deactivated? Will the activation on the MacBook installation be painless?

I have no problem with phone activation, but not doing anything special aside from typing in the key helps to keep life dull and boring.

Kent

 

[Maguscreed]

You may have to call in next time you use the key, but so long as it's legitimate and only on one machine you shouldn't have trouble getting it activated again.
They may make you call it in during activation because they will register the change in hardware profile connected to the key you have.

They aren't ridiculously tight about it like they were with xp, but they will want to ensure the key is only in use on ONE MACHINE.

 

[Wishmaster]

Just like Maguscreed said.

I've actually been through this before, and called them to settle it, although you may be able to get by with the activate by phone method.


If not, worst case scenario you need to call them. but its rather painless.

Just tell them the other PC no longer has Win7 on it, and you are now trying to activate on a completely different machine.

They will then ask you how many PCs you are using that key with.
Just tell them the new one is the only machine using that key and they will get you all set up. Usually doesn't take that long either.

Thats all they care about. 1 key, 1 PC.

 

[maxseven]

Thats all they care about. 1 key, 1 PC.

I was surfing around when I came across this thread. It seems the advice given to Lava King (who hasn't been back so we don't know what he did) is not correct.

AFAIK the only "Family Packs" ever offered for W7 were UPGRADE packs, i.e. the licenses included were strictly/solely for upgrades to W7 from any previously installed Windows version. Since the MacBook installation did not have an earlier Full license of Windows installed, then to install the Upgrade version would violate MS license agreement.

It sounds too like the OP's "new desktop computer" might also be a fresh install as well.

I don't know whether-or-how MS might fail to activate either of these; perhaps Lava King will find his way back here and report whether MS considers his installations "genuine" with full update rights...

 

[Lava King]

I was surfing around when I came across this thread. It seems the advice given to Lava King (who hasn't been back so we don't know what he did) is not correct.

AFAIK the only "Family Packs" ever offered for W7 were UPGRADE packs, i.e. the licenses included were strictly/solely for upgrades to W7 from any previously installed Windows version. Since the MacBook installation did not have an earlier Full license of Windows installed, then to install the Upgrade version would violate MS license agreement.

It sounds too like the OP's "new desktop computer" might also be a fresh install as well.

I don't know whether-or-how MS might fail to activate either of these; perhaps Lava King will find his way back here and report whether MS considers his installations "genuine" with full update rights...

You are correct in that the Family Pack is an upgrade.

This is what has been done:
The "new desktop" had Windows 7 Beta which qualified (or so I understand) for the upgrade. I had no problems at all with activation.

I'm not keeping Windows 7 on the MacBook, it operates much more pleasantly with OSX. When I say that, I mean that the battery life is longer, the trackpad works better, it overall runs cooler, etc.

Kent

 

[Maguscreed]

yes you can install clean from an upgrade disc so long as you have the key from your previous version.

 

[Kari]

I have never had any problems in re-using one of the Family Pack licence keys after first "uninstalling" the key as told in this post. It removes the activation information from Microsoft's database thus "freeing" the key.

Kari

 

[Lava King]

I have never had any problems in re-using one of the Family Pack licence keys after first "uninstalling" the key as told in this post. It removes the activation information from Microsoft's database thus "freeing" the key.

Kari

I did follow those instructions several weeks ago to uninstall Windows 7 from the Toshiba. As I mentioned previously, the install on the MacBook was less than brilliant, I'm happy to keep it as OSX only.

Kent

 

[NoelDP]

I have never had any problems in re-using one of the Family Pack licence keys after first "uninstalling" the key as told in this post. It removes the activation information from Microsoft's database thus "freeing" the key.

Kari

Contrary to myth, using this procedure does NOT remove the Key from MS's database.
It can be run quite happily while offline, and will have no effect whatever on the requirement to telephone-activate a new install

All it does is prepare the system for the entry of a new valid Key.

 

[maxseven]

You are correct in that the Family Pack is an upgrade.

This is what has been done:
The "new desktop" had Windows 7 Beta which qualified (or so I understand) for the upgrade. I had no problems at all with activation.

I'm not keeping Windows 7 on the MacBook, it operates much more pleasantly with OSX. When I say that, I mean that the battery life is longer, the trackpad works better, it overall runs cooler, etc.

Kent

Thanks LK for returning and clearing this up.

 

[NoelDP]

The "new desktop" had Windows 7 Beta which qualified (or so I understand) for the upgrade. I had no problems at all with activation.



Kent

Win Beta's are NOT qualifying licenses for the purposes of upgrades, or anything else, I'm afraid. Installing the RTM version after using a Beta is suppsed to be a bare-metal clean install.
The fact that installation and activation of the Upgrade proceeded normally is by design - and does not by any stretch mean that it is legal.

Note the wording of the Win 7 RTM License.
15. UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you
upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from.

That section is completely missing from the Beta license.

 

[NoelDP]

<quote>
(As an FYI, those who don’t own a full previous version Windows license, as in the second row of picture examples above, and just downloaded the Windows 7 Beta, RC, or RTM code during the trial phases, the Windows 7 Beta, RC, and RTM trials are not qualifying licenses for the upgrade since they are just trial software, not fully licensed software.)
</quote>
- from Regardless of what any hack says, a Windows 7 Upgrade is an Upgrade. What you need to know. - Microsoft SMS&P Partner Community Blog - By Eric Ligman - Site Home - MSDN Blogs