Switch computers with retail version

[nate42nd]

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]

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.

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

 

[nate42nd]

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

 

[SquonkSC]

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

By my knowledge it is. But I think it's also the least hassle.

You tell them the original key, they deact your prev machine and give you a new key. You write it down for later installs and you're done.

They don't ask any difficult questions.

 

[Brink]

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

 

[nate42nd]

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

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Nate.