Does Microsoft ever chagne for reactivating windows?

johnsmi

Hi folks,

Just wondering should I ever need to reinstall my OEM copy of windows 7 that came on computer would Microsoft ever charge a fee (or make me buy a new licence) for doing this should online activation fail and I have to contract Microsoft on the phone?

Since I have my computer 4 and a half years I have had to reinstall a few times, I use acronis true image to reinstall my backup when hard disk failed last week, or when windows is playing up.

I know that its hard to get an answer about how many times windows can be activated online, surely there has to be a limit?

I have also read online that in the case of a motherboard upgrade for an OEM copy then you have to buy a new licence but this article from Microsoft seems to contradict this,

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/piracy/mpa.aspx

see where it says,
"Product Activation keeps users from changing or upgrading their hardware"

I haven't had the need yet to do phone activation but would like to know if anyone has done it with OEM copy of windows and was it easy enough without having to pay a fee?

Thanks
John

GlynD

In my experience, as long as the product number is genuine then the reactivation is free. You have to either type this in on the automated system or read it out to an operative over the phone if you're unable to use the automated system.

It's never happened to me that my number wasn't genuine but my understanding is: if it isn't then you will be offered a price to buy a single use (or other appropriate) licence.

NiftyDigits

There is no limit to the amount of activations. Though you should never have to activate an OEM install online anyway, if you back up the activation.
If you change a Motherboard, it's a little more difficult, but not impassable.

johnsmi

NiftyDigits wrote: »

There is no limit to the amount of activations. Though you should never have to activate an OEM install online anyway, if you back up the activation.
If you change a Motherboard, it's a little more difficult, but not impassable.

Thank you very much for this information NiftyDigits, I wasn't aware that backing up activation could be done.

I wonder if you could point me to an easy to understand article on how to backup my windows 7 activation, have done a google search but with not much luck.

Many thanks
John

NiftyDigits

Advanced Tokens Manager

If you change the Motherboard, just drop me a line.

esuhl

NiftyDigits wrote: »

If you change the Motherboard, just drop me a line.

If the motherboard had to be replaced because it was faulty, Microsoft should let you re-activate an OEM copy of Windows. The terms say that you should replace the motherboard with an identical model where possible, but (as identical hardware may no longer be available) in practice it doesn't seem to matter.

That key management software looks interesting, though...