Switch computers with retail version

I am wondering what the process is to switch computers with a retail version of Windows.

Say you have Windows 7 installed on one computer and need to do a clean install on a different one. How do you "de-activate" one to make the new install activate? I don't understand how this works. I will have to do it in the next few days with Vista and will need to do it with Windows 7 this winter.

I assume you would just install on the new computer and have to call MS but I'm hoping it's easier than this.

squonksc said:

Call Microsoft's activation service. the number is on the box or on one of the leaflets that came with it. Or find it on the internet.

Nice person will help you through the process.

Takes about 10 minutes.

Greetz

Thanks for the reply. This is the only way to do it huh? I have been spoiled by the beta and RC.....i don't even think twice about putting Windows 7 on any computer I can find. I guess it's WAY different with the "real thing"

Thanks again

Hi Nate,

Yep, it's pretty much the same way as with Vista by uninstalling it from the old comuter and doing a phone activation on the new one if it will not activate normally.

Activate Vista by Phone - Vista Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Okay, thanks guys. I guess I may be on the phone with Microsoft a couple of times. That's fine if that's the way they do it...I thought there may be an easier way, but anything in the software could be manipulated.......

Thanks again

You're welcome Nate. :)