Need advice on transfering / reinstalling my W7 64 bit to a new build

Hi all,

When i built the PC im currently typing this on several years ago after advice from the kind folks here I ensured that I purchased (from Amazon) a retail copy of W7 Home Premium (which was obviously more expensive than OEM). It came with a 32 bit and 64 bit discs insode the retail box and i installed the 64 bit version.

Im just about to order all the parts for my next PC build. Along with those parts im ordering a 2nd copy of W7 HP Retail. My old PC (this one) will go to my wife. My old HDD's will be reformatted for my wife. I believe i have several options (below) and wonder if i can get some advice?

1) how can i check / prove the version I have installed on this PC is a retail version for my own comfort. ive seen amazon selling retail versions which are 1 user only. Can these be transferred to another PC? (ie does 1 user mean 1 user at any one time or one shot on one pc like oem?)

2) Would the best approach be to: wipe this PC's HDDs and reinstall the W7 64 thats currently on it. This wouldnt even count as being transferred to a new machine as its the same motherboard?

3) install the new W7 HP 64 bit im about to buy on the new rig?

I know these are probably silly questions but i am trying to avoid frustration and dissapointment by thinking about this stuff now.

Thanks
Matt

1. A one-user retail licence lets you transfer the operating system to another computer providing you have uninstalled the software from the old computer, so yes; it can be transferred to another computer. You will of course need to reactivate it as explained here: Activate Windows 7 by Phone

2. You are correct in your assumption.

3. Yes.

There are no silly questions, only stupid answers.

my thanks for taking a look at my blatherings :)

matt

You're very welcome.

A few minutes forethought is far better than hours of frustration. :)

If you need further help, please don't hesitate to post back.

Clean Install Windows 7

I also forgot to mention that you can easily check whether you have a retail version of Windows or not.

Check the Product ID in System Properties, if it's OEM it will look like this:

xxxxx-OEM-xxxxxxx-xxxxx