Will I be fine?

[jeffwindows7]

Hello guys, forgive me for a what may appear to be a common sense question.

I just installed Windows 7 Premium (full) on my new custom computer build but paranoia has now gotten the best of me.

My question is: If I were to install a new main drive (ie SSD) would I have a problems doing a fresh install again? or will I need a new product key? I'm assuming I'll be fine if I'm not upgrading something major? (ie motherboard)


THANKS

 

[severedsolo]

Hi there jeffwindows7 welcome to the forums yes I would imagine that should all be fine. the only issue you might have, is you may need to just give Microsoft a call to activate it.

 

[smsff7]

Hello guys, forgive me for a what may appear to be a common sense question.

I just installed Windows 7 Premium (full) on my new custom computer build but paranoia has now gotten the best of me.

My question is: If I were to install a new main drive (ie SSD) would I have a problems doing a fresh install again? or will I need a new product key? I'm assuming I'll be fine if I'm not upgrading something major? (ie motherboard)


THANKS

Is it a retail copy or an OEM? With retail you should not have any prob , but with OEM you might need a new key ONLY if you change out your Mainboard (Motherboard) so even then your key will still be good if you just change out your HDD or a video card or something smaller like that.

 

[jeffwindows7]

Thanks

I'm glad to hear this! I own the full retail version.

I tried Maintenance> Backup and Restore> Create a System Image but couldn't manage to get it working and that is when the paranoia set in. :huh:

I'd much rather to a clean install everytime it's needed (ie Virus/Malware) but it seems like such a pain having to call them. Hopefully it would be smooth talking with MS.

 

[whs]

Reinstall (on the same mobo) is no problem - OEM or retail license. But you can also clone your current system. But then you have to make the settings for the SSD yourself (alignment, disable defrag, etc.).

 

[bobkn]

I'm glad to hear this! I own the full retail version.

I tried Maintenance> Backup and Restore> Create a System Image but couldn't manage to get it working and that is when the paranoia set in. :huh:

I'd much rather to a clean install everytime it's needed (ie Virus/Malware) but it seems like such a pain having to call them. Hopefully it would be smooth talking with MS.

If you need to re-activate, there are basically three levels:

online (I expect that'd work, with a modest change like switching to an SSD.)

by telephone, automated (You speak to a robot. It has advanced since the XP days - the automated system can supply an activation code if your hardware has changed significantly.)

by telephone, to a human (Just tell them what you've done. You'll get an activation code, even if your license was OEM.)

It's annoying, but it shouldn't cost you more than 10 minutes. The right answer to the question "How many PCs is the software installed on?" is one.