Upgrading to a new computer, moving 7 license

[coorsleftfield]

I bought the family 3-pack of upgrade licenses. Suppose I upgrade 3 machines in my house to win7, and then at some point down the road, buy a new computer to replace one of my household machines. Will I be able to "move" one of these 3 licenses to the new machine?

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

I bought the family 3-pack of upgrade licenses. Suppose I upgrade 3 machines in my house to win7, and then at some point down the road, buy a new computer to replace one of my household machines. Will I be able to "move" one of these 3 licenses to the new machine?

You should be able to, the keys are not a one time activation kind of thing and they are not bound to the first machine they are activated on.

 

[gregrocker]

Well according to the EULA, the Upgrade is tied to XP/Vista and therefore the machine if it is upgrading an OEM XP/Vista

OR

to the XP/Vista if it is upgrading a retail version, meaning both can migrate to new machines.

But according to Technet there is no way they know if you use the Upgrade on another machine as long as it is only one at a time. But if an issue comes up during activation that elevates to a telephone person, the EULA could rule if they care to dig into which Vista/XP you are using to upgrade: OEM (locked to machine) or retail (portable can migrate).

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

Well according to the EULA, the Upgrade is tied to the machine if it is upgrading an OEM XP/Vista, OR to the XP/Vista if it is upgrading a retail version, meaning both can migrate to new machines.

But according to Technet there is no way they know if you use the Upgrade on another machine as long as it is only one at a time. But if an issue comes up during activation that elevates to a telephone person, the EULA could rule if they care to dig into which Vista/XP you are using to upgrade: OEM (locked to machine) or retail (portable can migrate).

Interesting. I've never sat down and took the time to read the EULA so I wouldn't have known this, I just go from what I know what can and cannot be done. (Obviously I'm not always right though )

 

[gregrocker]

Well according to the EULA, the Upgrade is tied to the machine if it is upgrading an OEM XP/Vista, OR to the XP/Vista if it is upgrading a retail version, meaning both can migrate to new machines.

But according to Technet there is no way they know if you use the Upgrade on another machine as long as it is only one at a time. But if an issue comes up during activation that elevates to a telephone person, the EULA could rule if they care to dig into which Vista/XP you are using to upgrade: OEM (locked to machine) or retail (portable can migrate).

Interesting. I've never sat down and took the time to read the EULA so I wouldn't have known this, I just go from what I know what can and cannot be done. (Obviously I'm not always right though )

I only found this out trying to get an MVP on MS Technet Install forums to tell me in advance what could and couldn't be done with Upgrade media. They were wrong about almost everything that actually can be done now that we have the disks, although I got a thorough education in the EULA.

Funny, checking back in there these same MVP's are "shocked, shocked" about how the Upgrades are now functionally the same as Retail, citing the EULA and threatening that it may eventually win out with WGA issues. One MVP moderator keeps insisting that it is "best not discussed."

 

[jimbo45]

Hi all
getting this thread back on track.

1) Product must be a FULL RETAIL version - not an OEM pre-installed one and usually trhese days you rarely get a W7 install disk in any case on store bought PC's -- it's that HORRIBLE "factory Restore" thing usually with a hidden partition.

2) Activate by PHONE. MS is usually very sympathetic to these type of activations -- I've never had any problems with this.

3) You'll be passed to an Automated re-activation service if you pass the few questions they ask like Is W7 installed on more than one machine, is it a full copy etc.

4) they'll give you a great big long string of digits to enter so TAKE CARE as if you make a mistake you'll be up that well known street "without a paddle".

5) If they need more info you'll bypass the automated service and be passed to a technician.
This could happen for example if nr of activations on different machines is excessive etc. but you can still explain it for example you were trying out 5 or 6 motherboards for the best optimum configuration (although in these cases I wouldn't activate until I've tested the stuff out), or your network was so infested with viruses you got new machines etc etc.

Usually unless you are obviously trying to run a single copy of Windows on a lot of machines there's no problem with phone re-activations.



Cheers
jimbo

 

[Dave76]

If you re-install the original, or other, OS back onto the old computer, then the Win7 upgrade isn't being used anymore.

Then you can use it again on your new computer.

I've read this on several sites including MS and TechNet. There are always dissenting opinions, but I believe MS would grant this if asked by phone.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi Dave
No probs if you re-install on the SAME machine - I've even changed a processor without the activation being triggered. Even if the activation IS triggered it usually re-activates without a problem.

I think the OP was wanting info about changing the COMPUTER. In this case the advice I gave above is applicable.

I haven't experienced any problem at all with MS on the rare occasions I've had to activate windows by phone.

Cheers

jimbo.

 

[Shinobi73]

Hi Dave
No probs if you re-install on the SAME machine - I've even changed a processor without the activation being triggered. Even if the activation IS triggered it usually re-activates without a problem.

Actually the Windows activation is triggered if the changes on the computer gets pass a particular threshold - If i'm not mistaken its around 60%. (i.e. the processor i think is around 30-35% the motherboard is 80%)

so as long as the changes / modification does not go passed that it wont trigger the activation - ergo if you replace the whole PC then you would have to call for activation

 

[parallon]

It is possible to just use slmgr -upk and slmgr -ipk? If so, will I still be able to use the same product key? Can I reactivate over the internet this way?

I guess what I am understanding is that when you activate Windows, it sets a flag on MS servers to not let that key be activated again. So, if I use slmgr -upk it will reset that flag on MS servers so when I go to new machine, I can install OS and activate through internet. Is this correct?

Thanks,

Parallon

 

[Shinobi73]

It is possible to just use slmgr -upk and slmgr -ipk? If so, will I still be able to use the same product key? Can I reactivate over the internet this way?

I guess what I am understanding is that when you activate Windows, it sets a flag on MS servers to not let that key be activated again. So, if I use slmgr -upk it will reset that flag on MS servers so when I go to new machine, I can install OS and activate through internet. Is this correct?

Thanks,

Parallon

If i'm not mistaken the "slmgr" steps are done when you inadvertantly use an Upgrade DVD to perform a Clean Installation that creates a problem with activating your product key.

But if it's already succesfully installed and activated into one of your computers the slmgr fix won't work. The easiest suggestion is to give MS a quick call and tell them of the change in computers and they will use another tool to reactivate your product key

 

[gregrocker]

It is possible to just use slmgr -upk and slmgr -ipk? If so, will I still be able to use the same product key? Can I reactivate over the internet this way?

I guess what I am understanding is that when you activate Windows, it sets a flag on MS servers to not let that key be activated again. So, if I use slmgr -upk it will reset that flag on MS servers so when I go to new machine, I can install OS and activate through internet. Is this correct?

Thanks,

Parallon

When you activate, it ties the key to the hardware config (given in tut. linked below, scroll down) until another key claims that hardware config.

That's why even if you format over your XP, it will still require a robocall to reactivate, trading a series of numbers which deactivate the key on the old machine and activate the new one.

Vista and Win7 apparently can accomplish this using internet activation.

You will get activation on a retail key as long as you aren't trying on more than one computer at a time. You own the key for life. MS cannot steal it back.

The only time I tried to remove key using slmgr command in Win7 I got "Windows not genuine" but was able to SysRestore.

http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/ProductActivation.htm

Others experience?