Will License Transfer

mccoady · 02 Aug 2011

I have a locally built computer from a computer store (out of business) that is 4 or 5 years old... it was a store that you basically told them which parts to install and they built it. My computer came with XP Pro installed but I have since bought and installed Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade. My son who still lives at home bought a Windows 7 home Premium Family Upgrade Pack since it was cheaper than a single license and still has two unused licenses.

I would like to try to build my first computer so will my Windows 7 license transfer over to the new build? If not would I be able to use one of my son's licenses?

fseal · 02 Aug 2011

Mainly it depends on if your license from the original machine was "OEM" or "Retail". USUALLY the licenses from the small shops are OEM which may not transfer...

However, you can just install the OS on the new hardware and attempt to activate it using your old key. It will either work or it won't :) If not, then you can put in the key to your son's family pack and activate it with that.

Bare Foot Kid · 02 Aug 2011

Hello mccoady.

If it's an "Upgrade" it should transfer, have a look at this tutorial at the link below so you won't have to install XP first and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

mccoady · 02 Aug 2011

fseal said:

However, you can just install the OS on the new hardware and attempt to activate it using your old key. It will either work or it won't :) If not, then you can put in the key to your son's family pack and activate it with that.

So you're saying that one of the keys in my son's family pack would actually work like a retail license as far as the new Mobo was concerned?

I wasn't sure I could use an upgrade license key on a new build (Mobo, Hard Drive, etc.) without there being an prior version of Windows installed.

fseal · 02 Aug 2011

Heh yeah, follow BFKs instructions above for that if necessary :)

I would give the original key a shot though, if you did pay for a retail key originally then it will transfer over fine, no need to waste a family pack one unless you have to :)

gregrocker · 02 Aug 2011

All Win7 retail versions except OEM can migrate for life to the computer of choice.

However you are correct that there needs to be an underlying XP or Vista to qualify for migrating the Upgrade version. As the Family 3-pack is Upgrade, too, I would use the single license first.

Do you have any retail copy of XP or VIsta on hand or which you can borrow to qualify you for using Upgrade version of Win7? It doesn't even need to be installed on the machine, just on hand and not used during period it is qualifier. This is on the honor system.

Two posts up there is a link showing how to install Upgrade version without an OS on the HD.

mccoady · 02 Aug 2011

Ok thanks I'll give it a try but I'll bet when I bought the computer it came with a "OEM" license.

mccoady · 02 Aug 2011

gregrocker said:

All Win7 retail versions except OEM can migrate for life to the computer of choice.

However you are correct that there needs to be an underlying XP or Vista to qualify for migrating the Upgrade version. As the Family 3-pack is Upgrade, too, I would use the single license first.

Do you have any retail copy of XP or VIsta on hand or which you can borrow to qualify you for using Upgrade version of Win7? It doesn't even need to be installed on the machine, just on hand and not used during period it is qualifier. This is on the honor system.

Two posts up there is a link showing how to install Upgrade version without an OS on the HD.

As far as I can tell all I have are OEM versions but it sounds like you are saying I still may be able to transfer my license from my old computer if I follow the instructions in the link but it's not allowed to be discussed here.

The Windows XP Pro disc that came with my computer (still sealed) doesn't actually say OEM or retail on it so I guess I'm not sure.

gregrocker · 02 Aug 2011

If your XP disk came pre-installed with your computer it is likely OEM. There should be a COA sticker on the computer case or disk packaging with a Product Key. What version does it say?

If there is no COA sticker as required with preinstalled Windows showing which version and giving Product Key, then you should contact the computer builder to find out whether OEM or full version was installed, and why no COA sticker is available with Product Key needed for reinstall.

Is it possible the Disk is a Recovery disk rather than XP Reinstallation disk?

You said you upgraded with Win7 Upgrade version, and your son bought Win7 Family 3-pack Upgrade version, correct? These require underlying qualifying retail XP or Vista to legally use on a new build. Nothing was suggested to circumvent this requirement.

mccoady · 02 Aug 2011

The COA sticker on the case says Windows XP Professional Powergistic Systems with some numbers including the Product Key and some barcodes nothing else. I can't remember the computer store name since they went out of business but they sold their computers under the Powergistic Systems logo.

Yes the disk that came with the computer (in a Windows XP Pro folder) says "Product Recovery CD-ROM".

Yes I have upgraded this desktop office computer we're talking about from XP Pro to Windows 7, a Dell Laptop from Vista to windows 7, and a Dell desktop from XP Pro to Windows 7. I originally bought two single Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade licenses when there was a promo for $50 each and then when my son wanted to upgrade he bought the Family Pack upgrade.

I'm a little confused now but are you saying it sounds like these all came with OEM versions of Windows and thus I won't be able to transfer my office desktop license to the new build?