Got Win7 pro single licence, can I install again same PC

JesseJames_2

Bought an SSD to replace my HDD.

Have already installed Windows 7 Professional last year and it is a single use retail licence key.

If I install Win 7 onto the new SSD and try to activate, what happens.

I know you can uninstall the licence key by going to the command prompt and typing...
slmgr -upk

What's the correct way in doing this?

tonynw

just install in the normal way and then just activate over the net.

cheers

tonynw

chimpsTparty

As far as I know if your previous install is still activated then your new install will fail license activation.

Maybe you could clone you old drive onto the new SSD and then delete everything off you old drive. Not sure if that's legal or if it will work.

Donnie

chimpsTparty wrote: »

As far as I know if your previous install is still activated then your new install will fail license activation.

Maybe you could clone you old drive onto the new SSD and then delete everything off you old drive. Not sure if that's legal or if it will work.

No need for that, if it fails online activation they can default to telephone activation. Retail licences are fully supported by Microsoft.

BigLee_24

Donnie wrote: »

No need for that, if it fails online activation they can default to telephone activation. Retail licences are fully supported by Microsoft.

Perfectly legal way to do it.... Your not installing on a new PC merely upgrading the one you have.... Which is allowed and not breaking the law unless you use the other HD in another PC with windows still on it....

System

Since it is only the HD that is changing then it should re-register online without a problem

RobTang

Retails keys can be activated as many times as you want as want (even on differnt hardware) but obviously only one pc can be active at a time.

OEM keys, same core hardware you can re-activate as many times, different hardware 3 or 4 times but that is against the licence agreement

prowla

If you have to install again, I think you just call and say it's a reinstall if it fails to activate.
At the appropiate point, you say you want to activate by phone and it'll give you the phone number and a load of letters/digits that you have to read out to the person you talk to.

BigLee_24

Talk to?? Its always been an automated message whenever Ive had to activate anything....

JesseJames_2

Cheers

I'll just leave the original HDD windows 7 intact and install the new SSD using the same key as a dual boot (actually 5 way boot!)

I originally thought you had to remove the key and that auto informs microsoft you are no longer using it, so it can be used again.

But if it's on the same PC then obviously there is no chance of both running at the same time.

JJ_Egan

Removing the key tells MS nothing .
You put new hardware in boot the computer and you may get a message saying your Windows is not activated . Follow the instructions its an on screen telephone prompt job . Problems and you are put through to a MS worker and you just say upgraded hardware they then give you the activation code . Its no big deal with a genuine licence .

jje