Get a second license?

[stevieray]

I have Win 7 installed on my desktop PC and Vista on my laptop. I'd like to dump Vista and install Win 7 on the laptop too.

Questions:

Can I use the same upgrade disk and/or activation number I used for the desktop? (I got a feeling the answer is "yes" to the disk, "no" to the activation license...)

Is there a way to purchase a second activation license number, or do I need to order a whole new OS?

 

[jfar]

You can buy a family license for up to three PCs.

You can read up on it here.
http://www.google.com/search?q=wind...oft:en-ie:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7ADRA_en

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/offers/windows-7-family-pack.aspx

I hope this helps.

 

[harpua]

Sorry, one retail license (full or upgrade but not oem) is only good for one single install (at a time). You need to obtain a second separate key for the second install. I use MS Technet (normally $350 per single year paid subscription, but frequently there are $100 discounts available) which gives access to most, if not all MS software and in regards to OS's, gives 10 unique retail keys that don't ever expire for each version of windows 7 (and all the other MS OS's).

The technet license is technically "for evaluation only" but MS seems to let home users slide and has a very generous definition of evaluation in actual practice. So many people have reportedly been using Technet OS and application keys at home for years. What MS doesn't like or permit is using the Technet keys in what they call a "production environment" (i.e., business) but "home" use seems to be completely allowed. (Of course selling or giving away one's technet keys is a gross violation of the technet license so please don't anyone PM me about that as such PM's will be ignored.)

Obviously, it's hard to distinguish between home and business in many cases and I don't think anyone at MS is paying much attention to such fine points. But that's just my opinion.

Anyway, if all you need is one more key, it's cheaper to just buy it at retail or online. But think about the fact that Office 2010 final is supposed to be released within a year and that will also be available to current active Technet subscribers at the time Office 2010 is released or likely even before general availability as was the case with W7. So Technet at times like this can be a very good deal for the right situations.

 

[stevieray]

Thanks, jfar.

I don't think that'll work for me. I already have one paid-for version, and I only need one more.

Unless there is some way to pay a discounted price (i.e. family price - single version price = discounted upgrade price) for an "upgrade" from the single to the family version... but I don't see that option anywhere yet.

 

[jfar]

You could buy an upgrade version and try the following.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[stevieray]

Thanks Harpua

It looks like you're right... I'll have to buy a second license at full price for the laptop.

The Technet option would've been good if I hadn't already bought the first upgrade and if I had a use for a full Office suite (Open Office works fine for my limited needs)...

Sigh. Hindsight is 20/20!

 

[stevieray]

You could buy an upgrade version and try the following.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

That's what I did on my desktop! It works fine... I can't figure out the difference between the upgrade and the full versions of seven.

I'll probably throw the rc1 on the laptop for a few months, and then get a real version after the first of the year.

 

[harpua]

If you have (or know someone with) a .edu email address you can get Win 7 HP or Pro for about $30. Search this site for more details and links.