Question about activation/deactivation.

TheJamsh · 20 Feb 2012 at 19:00

I'm just about to purchase a new PC, and want to use the copy of Win 7 64-Bit Pro that I have installed on my laptop on the PC instead. My laptop came with Windows Vista 32-bit installed, and has a separate product key that came with the Laptop, which of course isn't being used right now.

Now, If I install Win 7 64-bit on my new computer, and wipe my laptop and install Vista 32-bit from its hidden HDD partition, can I use my current license key that I bought for Windows 7 on my new PC without it being deactivated?

I see no reason for it to NOT be legal, I'm not using two copies of Windows 7, and it's only going to be on one PC. Seems okay to me, just wondering if it's possible in practice or if the activation will go through.

BloodyL · 20 Feb 2012 at 19:18

If the 64bit version is a standard retail version you will be fine.

TheJamsh · 20 Feb 2012 at 19:19

BloodyL said:
If the 64bit version is a standard retail version you will be fine.

Awesome! Saves me spending another £100 on my build!

I guess Windows only deactivate your accounts when they realise two computers are connected to the internet with the same product key?

BloodyL · 20 Feb 2012 at 19:23

Microsoft ties your hardware to the product key, so once you change over to the other machine Windows will more than likely want you to jump through a few hoops, but you are not breaking the End User Licence Agreement by re-using the retail version on another machine.
The EULA does not allow you to reuse the key from your laptop though.

j.col · 20 Feb 2012 at 20:05

BloodyL said:
If the 64bit version is a standard retail version you will be fine.

BloodyL said:
The EULA does not allow you to reuse the key from your laptop though.

I think what they both mean, if the copy of Win 7 64bit is a full retail version you are fine.
If its an OEM version of Win 7 64bit, then it is tied to the lappy.

TheJamsh · 21 Feb 2012 at 09:19

j.col said:
I think what they both mean, if the copy of Win 7 64bit is a full retail version you are fine.
If its an OEM version of Win 7 64bit, then it is tied to the lappy.

No, Vista is the OEM version, its just not installed at the moment. When I reformat the laptop, I'll be able to re-install it from the hidden partition of my Hard Drive that usually doesn't show up in windows.

I upgraded to Windows 7 by buying the full version a few months ago, so it's a completely separate product. It'll be interesting to see how they handle it...

BloodyL · 21 Feb 2012 at 10:22

lol, too confusing!

tl;dr version:

OEM: Can only be used on the machine it was first bought for/installed on.
RETAIL: Can be transferred from machine to machine as you upgrade.

Burnsy2023 · 22 Feb 2012 at 09:33

TheJamsh said:
Awesome! Saves me spending another £100 on my build!

I guess Windows only deactivate your accounts when they realise two computers are connected to the internet with the same product key?

Common misconception: there is no 'deactivation', Microsoft doesn't deactivate a key, just merely allows it to be activated a certain number of times.