Can I reuse my Win 7 key on the same PC?


  1. Tartarus
    Posts : 13
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
       New #1

    Can I reuse my Win 7 key on the same PC?


    Hi everybody, I built a new PC and bought a key for Win7 SP1. I used a Win 7 pre SP1 disk and updated the computer to SP1 then activated Win 7 normally. That was last week. Now I got an SSD and wanted to install Windows on that instead since I have nothing on the HDD apart from Windows and one game. I plan on installing the SSD, disconnecting the HDD, and installing from the disk. Once Windows is installed I plan on inserting the HDD again and formatting it using the new Windows 7 install.

    Will I be able to reuse the same Windows 7 key? I believe it will require a manual activation by calling MS but I just wanted to get some info on this before I begin this process.

    Thanks for you time.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  3. NoelDP
    Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       New #2

    You shouldn't have any problem - if you do encounter problems with activation, simply use Telephone activation and speak to an operator.



    telephone activation (operator calls)
    Click on the Start button
    in the Search box, type
    SLUI 4
    and hit the Enter key
    follow the instructions, but when asked which service you require by the telephone ansafone, do NOT reply - this should force an operator to respond, who can deal with you
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  4. Tartarus
    Posts : 13
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Thanks for the reply I just wanted to make sure in case I would have to buy another key.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  6. NoelDP
    Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       New #4

    Good luck with the SSD - remember that they need special care and setup before installing Windows.
    SSD - Install and Transfer the Operating System
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  7. LittleJay
    Posts : 3,133
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit SP 1
       New #5

    A word of caution. When you install Windows on the SSD, temporarily disconnect your HDD from the system, or the Windows installer may place the boot sector on your HDD and you won't be able to boot your PC without it.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  8. Tartarus
    Posts : 13
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Well I plan on completely removing the HDD, adding the SSD and running Windows installation on the SSD. Once Windows is installed on the SSD I am going to reattach the HDD, boot to the SSD and remove the old Windows installation by formatting the HDD. I then plan on updating the new Windows to SP1 and attempt to activate it. I'll see what happens once I get there and whether I can activate without calling MS. Does that look like a sound plan?

    Thanks for all the help and advice by the way.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  10. NoelDP
    Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       New #7

    Sounds like a decent plan to me :)
    There's no real need to reinstall the HDD before activation (although it may be a good idea, as it will be detect by the OS when it creates the hardware hash to send to the activation center, and marginally reduce the chances of a telephone request)
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  11. Tartarus
    Posts : 13
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
    Thread Starter
       New #8

    Ok thanks for the advice.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

 

  Related Discussions
My old XP PC power supply died. I want to take the HD out (from which it booted into XP) and put it in a USB external case. If I then plug this into my Windows7 PC, can I choose to boot from the USB drive, so that I can have an XP computer when I need it? This would be a real help to me since I...
MicroSD card reuse after formatting
in Installation & Setup

I recently formatted a 2GB SanDisk micro sd to offer to a friend to use in his cell phone. Formatted the card twice in my Nokia and when we installed it in the other device, which is a boost phone, it did not recognize the card. Am i correct in assuming that there is a factory format and a...
reuse windows 7 upgrade
in Installation & Setup

I upgraded my laptop to Windows7, but it has had numerous graphics problems. Getting a new laptop and want to use the windows7 upgrade on an old desktop. Does anyone know if I can do this? I'm reloading the old laptop with factory install vista and then sending it to a recycle outfit.
Hi, Is it possible, to use the product key twice, so if i need to reinstall 7, and i have activated it, can i use the product key again on the reinstalled system? -Hamish
I have tested a Windows 7 evaluation on my home built (older) desktop PC for some time and have now bought and installed Win 7. It runs like a dream. I would like to test Windows 7 on my HP laptop currently with an OEM Windows XP OS installed PRIOR to yet another Windows 7 OS purchase. According...
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

 © Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:43.
Find Us