Switch 7 from desktop to laptop

[BoomerFZ1]

I have both a desktop and laptop and I use the desktop primarily for gaming so XP is really all I need on it as games just seem to run smoother using the old OS. I'd like to take the copy of Windows 7 Home Premium I originally purchased for the desktop and load it on my laptop with I use form mostly everything else. Can it be done and what do I need to do? Thanks so much in advance!

 

[zigzag3143]

I have both a desktop and laptop and I use the desktop primarily for gaming so XP is really all I need on it as games just seem to run smoother using the old OS. I'd like to take the copy of Windows 7 Home Premium I originally purchased for the desktop and load it on my laptop with I use form mostly everything else. Can it be done and what do I need to do? Thanks so much in advance!

You cant just transfer it. It needs to be installed. the drivers are different, etc.

 

[MacGyvr]

Yes, you can install that copy on the other machine. You may need to call Microsoft and let them know that it is only installed on one computer. This takes about 6 minutes. Once activated on the new machine, DO NOT boot the copy on the old machine again.

 

[MacGyvr]

I have both a desktop and laptop and I use the desktop primarily for gaming so XP is really all I need on it as games just seem to run smoother using the old OS. I'd like to take the copy of Windows 7 Home Premium I originally purchased for the desktop and load it on my laptop with I use form mostly everything else. Can it be done and what do I need to do? Thanks so much in advance!

You cant just transfer it. It needs to be installed. the drivers are different, etc.

He asked if he could load it, not transfer it. The answer is yes.

 

[BoomerFZ1]

Call MS? Wow...that's something I've never done before. Thanks a bunch!

 

[alphanumeric]

According to what I have read on line if it's Retail version, yes, if it's an OEM version, no. OEM versions are tied to the hardware on the first activation. Even if it is a retail version you will likely still get prompted to call Microsoft to activate the new install. It should be relatively painless though, I've done it with XP and it wasn't a big deal.

 

[gregrocker]

You can imigrate any retail copy of Win7.

Builder's OEM is trickier but sometimes exceptions are made when using phone activation.

Factory OEM is of course not possible to migrate.