Windows 8.1 licence question

Steveocee · 28 Mar 2015 at 09:56

I'm building a pc for a friend who wants Windows 8.1 but also looking at buying a netbook for myself (installed with 8.1).

I'll be installing Ubuntu on the netbook so windows key will be surplus, can I move the key onto the new build pc to save buying a key?

***also can this be done with windows 7

Thanks

mrochester · 28 Mar 2015 at 11:06

Not legally as the license for Windows 8.1 will be tied to the laptop and is non-transferable.

Steveocee · 28 Mar 2015 at 13:27

See that's why I asked because i seem to remember reading that was the case for 7 but 8 copies could be moved around :-/

AthlonXP1800 · 29 Mar 2015 at 09:41

If you bought retail Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 then the license is transferable but if you bought OEM version then the license is non transferable.

demonix · 29 Mar 2015 at 17:28

AthlonXP1800 said:
If you bought retail Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 then the license is transferable but if you bought OEM version then the license is non transferable.

That is not true for 8 and 8.1 since retail versions were scrapped, and purchased OEM versions can be moved to another computer as long as it's removed from the other computer.

It might be a different kettle of fish for pre-installed versions since the license key is coded in the BIOS and is probably not transferable to another computer.

RJC · 29 Mar 2015 at 17:47

As the licence and the operating system was pre-installed by the manufacturer you cant move the licence to a new machine, if you bought a Windows from Ocuk then you can move the licence to a new machine.

Steveocee · 29 Mar 2015 at 19:11

Ok thanks guys. Will shelf that idea then.