Windows 7 x64 SP1 on Multiple Partitions - License Question

[cloves]

Hi everyone,

So I just read that one can only use 1 license of windows 7 x64 per computer. I can't have 2 partitions with Windows 7. Is this correct?

I wanted to run a stripped down version of Windows 7 for my music setup. There is an excessive amount of useless crap I won't need to be draining my laptop while playing. Then have my regular windows 7 for my applications. My machine came with windows 10 home. I have 1 license for Windows 7 x64. I have not installed it yet since now I am not sure I can have 2 partitions running with the same license.

Also from what I recalled isn't windows 7 activation suppose to be within 30 days? Mine is now saying 2 days before automatic activation (It hasn't been 30).

 

[oscer1]

Hi everyone,

So I just read that one can only use 1 license of windows 7 x64 per computer. I can't have 2 partitions with Windows 7. Is this correct?

that is correct you will need two licenses one for each install. as far as I know

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hiyya cloves mate I would contact M$ and let them know that the countdown is wrong for starters.

Now I am curious as to why you want 7 installed on two partitions? and more so I don't know how that could be done because even if it was then they are going to let you know that one install is non genuine because as you say even with a retail copy you can only install it on one machine at a time and their activation system might see the second partition as a second machine - if that makes sense.

Why not make a dual boot system and divide the partition the 7 is on into two for whatever use you want use it for??

Now one more thing have you checked that the machine can support 7 because 7 drivers can be an issue with 10 machines because I had to update the BIOS on two new laptops beforeI could install 7 drivers and have seen since some are just not back compatible?

 

[cloves]

Damn that is sooo ridiculous, I don't get how MS has stayed in business for so long.

Reason I want to install in 2 partitions. When I am djing I need that windows 7 install to get nothing installed to it. I run a clean partition with my live djing. Also I am going to try and slim down windows 7 in size and running services. So much crap they load. I am coming off a laptop with XP and Windows 7. XP was for djing, its 8 years old and still running great! However hardware change in new mixer won't run on Windows XP.

It took sometime but yes I am running windows 7 on UEFI bios and GPT partition. Just turned off a few things in bios such as secure boot. I need pure stability with live music. Windows 10 is not there yet. Plus its more resource intensive.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Pretty much the only volume licensing is with the enterprise editions for mostly business's with many machines.

 

[Holmes177]

Interesting idea & I think it could work. If you install & activate W7, then shrink drive "C" and create partition "D" on your hard drive. Using Macrium, clone partition C to D. You could then use BCD to edit the boot manager so as to identify which installation of Windows that you wish to boot. Then adjust what programs you want on which partition. The above is based on the fact that I can clone a hard drive that has W7(activated) to another hard drive and the OS will remain "activated", regardless of which hard drive that I boot from. All the hardware that windows checks for activation purposes will remain the same, except for the hard drive, which isn't sufficient to "deactivate" the OS.

 

[wasnotwas]

I'd be more concerned about 'slimming down' the OS. If you remove stuff you think is superfluous, you may find it's a necessary part of the OS that is needed some time in the future. The last thing you need is a laptop crash whilst doing a live DJ gig.

If I was in the OP's position, I'd have a bog standard Windows install on a laptop that exceeded the sys req of the software by a good margin. I'd also have an identical laptop, fully loaded with software + music as backup.

 

[Holmes177]

OK, decided to try my suggestion(post #6). Had an extra Win7 desktop that I wasn't using. I used EaseUS to resize C, and create another partition on the same drive. In my case it ended up being partition E. However, Macruim would not clone a partition to another partition on the same hard drive. I used EaseUS to copy partition C to partition E, then used BCD to edit the boot manager. OS on C is named Windows 7 and OS on E is named Microsoft Windows 7. I have booted to both and both are activated. Of course, ALWAYS do an image backup prior to attempting this. Completely legit, as the OS is only installed on ONE computer. Note, don't know if it would make any difference, but I partitioned C and E to equal sizes.

 

[cloves]

Wow that a great idea! I am going to have to give this a try Holmes, great thinking! I wonder if making the partition a different size would have any impact.

Technically speaking I wonder if the License is tied into the motherboard hardware? Or similar to the way a mac address works.

 

[Holmes177]

Wow that a great idea! I am going to have to give this a try Holmes, great thinking! I wonder if making the partition a different size would have any impact.

Technically speaking I wonder if the License is tied into the motherboard hardware? Or similar to the way a mac address works.

I seriously doubt that making the partitions different sizes would matter, since we are not cloning, but copying. Not 100% sure, but I have read that the OS license checks the MB, RAM, and any attached hardware, such as graphics cards, DVD drives etc. Minor changes in hardware are acceptable(changing RAM for instance) to MS, but if you change the MB, new activation will be required.

 

[torchwood]

and the Eula states
if you comply with these license terms, you have the rights below for each license you acquire.
1. OVERVIEW.
a. Software. The software includes desktop operating system software. This software does not include Windows Live services. Windows
Live is a service available from Microsoft under a separate agreement.
b. License Model. The software is licensed on a>>> per copy per computer basis <<<.
A computer is a physical hardware system with an internal storage device capable of running the software. A hardware partition or blade is considered to be a separate computer.

2. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.
a. One Copy per Computer. You may install one copy of the software on one computer. That computer is the "licensed computer."


Roy

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Just a little two cents worth from me I use Partition Wizard for resizing partitions it is so simple
Best Free Partition Manager for Windows | MiniTool Partition Free