Is A Retail Upgrade Disc Tied to One Computer?

[michael diemer]

Years ago, I purchased a Windows 7 upgrade DVD at Walmart, to be used on my Gateway computer, which came with Vista. I paid 120.00 for it. My understanding is that I can only use this disc/license on the Vista computer. When I reinstall W7 on this computer, I first have to install Vista, then W7 over it.

My question is, could I use this license on another computer? It is a retail license, for which I paid full price, so shouldn't I be able to use it where I want? If not, it seems like a real ripoff. I mean, people are out there using keys from places like [REMOVED] and apparently getting away with it, and I have this valid retail W7 retail disc, and I can't use it except on the computer that came with Vista? Just doesn't seem right.

 

[Layback Bear]

If you have a true 'Retail Windows COA key' you can install it on different computers but only have it on one computer at a time.

Jack

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yes but installing it clean you'd need to use this reg file before using the upgrade key so you'd skip activation until you use option 3
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version - Windows 7 Help Forums

Updating a clean install follow post #2 here,
windows update - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[michael diemer]

If you have a true 'Retail Windows COA key' you can install it on different computers but only have it on one computer at a time.

Jack

Does it matter that it was an upgrade disc? I mean, it was a boxed, shrink-wrapped copy of W7. I'm thinking that it was called "upgrade" so you could, well, upgrade from Vista, keeping all your programs. Which I did. I have never used it on another computer, but if this one dies, or I decide to rebuild it, it would be nice to be able to use this license.

 

[michael diemer]

Hi,
Yes but installing it clean you'd need to use this reg file before using the upgrade key so you'd skip activation until you use option 3
Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version - Windows 7 Help Forums

Updating a clean install follow post #2 here,
windows update - Windows 7 Help Forums

Yes, I know about and have used that option, but only on this computer. It looks like I could use it on a different computer, then. Cool. Eventually I may need to do that. Then again, with W7 only supported until 2020, maybe I won't...

 

[Layback Bear]

To the best of my knowledge all Upgrades are Retail.

So if you Upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 using the proper Microsoft method you now have a Retail Windows 7 installation.

Jack

 

[michael diemer]

Thanks Jack, that is really great. It's the only retail version of Seven that I own. Good to know, it may come in handy; at some point this old Gateway has to die (unless it gets a brain transplant from the mad scientist in Italy, but that's another story).

 

[Layback Bear]

Just be sure you copy the COA key and save it in a safe place.

Jack

 

[michael diemer]

Right! I also had that thought. Another question, though: after 2020, will it still be possible to authorize a new install?

 

[Barman58]

Should be no problem, other Operating systems going EOL have retained a licensing department, although this may reduce in size over time,

you may find that the need to actually speak to an operator to explain the facts of the reason for needing to upgrade with changed hardware may increase

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
You might review this too
Make Windows 7 bootable after motherboard swap - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[michael diemer]

Thanks Thrash, very interesting. Will come in handy at some point.

I just completed making a new disc for the defective one, so I now have the original upgrade media as it was when it was purchased, just in case. I replaced the defective disc, which had the label off center, and it made an extremely loud noise when I tried to use it, forcing me to go to Best Buy 6 years ago, where they charged me 80.00 to install Windows. If only I knew then what I know now...any number of ways to do it, but back then I was very green. Total cost for installing Windows 7 home Premium: 200.00, 120 to Walmart and 80 to Best Buy.