Windows 7: Windows 7 Laptop Key Help Needed

wavyglanbles · 23 Jul 2016

Hi there

I've just sold a Sony laptop for spares and repairs on eBay, it doesn't have the hard drive in due to it being corrupt but it has a Product Key sticker on the bottom.

For the recipient to use the laptop, would I have to deactivate the key from the laptop for him to use it, if not should I remove the sticker?

Many thanks in advance.

ThrashZone · 23 Jul 2016

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
I don't know of anyway to deactivate a key = are you using it on another computer or something ?

The sticker with the windows version and oem activation key is tied to that machine so No you would not remove it or use it on another machine for that matter.

wavyglanbles · 23 Jul 2016

The key is on the laptop in question but I've taken the hard drive out.

So if the recipient puts in a new hard drive then I'm guessing that he won't be able to use the key if it's already assigned to the hard drive I've taken out, am I right?

Layback Bear · 23 Jul 2016

The key is locked to the motherboard of that computer. It is legal to use on that computer with a clean install of the same Windows 7 on another drive.

You will not be able to legally use the old hard drive with that Windows 7 COA key on another computer.

A OEM or OEM/SLP or OEM Builders COA keys are locked to the original computer they were first installed and activated on.

A Retail COA key can be moved from computer to another computer as long as it is only on one computer at a time. I doubt you have a Retail COA key.

wavyglanbles · 23 Jul 2016

The key is a Windows 7 Home Premium product key containing 25 numbers/letters, on the other side it says Proof of License Certificate of Authenticity. It's on a sticker stuck to the laptop when I bought it.

The old hard drive which I've taken out, I plan on destroying it anyway due to it not working.

ThrashZone · 23 Jul 2016

Hi,
Leave the sticker on it then at least the new owner will be able to use it too install the os it came with as long as they can find installation media.

Layback Bear · 23 Jul 2016

The new owner of the computer should be able to use that (Proof of License Certificate of Authenticity) (COA key) to install Windows 7 Home Premium on a new hard drive installed in that computer.

That COA key will be no use to you once you no longer have the computer it came with.

wavyglanbles · 23 Jul 2016

Excellent! So the product key is on the motherboard rather than the hard drive then? That makes things easier.

This may be a stupid question but will the product key have any of my information on it without my hard drive?

AddRAM · 23 Jul 2016

Quote: Originally Posted by wavyglanbles

The key is on the laptop in question but I've taken the hard drive out.

So if the recipient puts in a new hard drive then I'm guessing that he won't be able to use the key if it's already assigned to the hard drive I've taken out, am I right?

No, you are wrong. He can purchase a hard drive to clean install windows. He can then use the key on the COA to activate windows.

Removing the hard drive has nothing to do with activation, the motherboard is the important part.

AddRAM · 23 Jul 2016

Quote: Originally Posted by wavyglanbles

Excellent! So the product key is on the motherboard rather than the hard drive then? That makes things easier.

This may be a stupid question but will the product key have any of my information on it without my hard drive?

No, it will not :)

What do you plan to do with your hard drive ?