Do I need new copy of windows 7

You need a new license , that license was sold to DELL for that hardware configuration.




OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system

Microsoft.com ^


OEM vs. Retail

OEM Windows 7 comes preinstalled on computers. This is the cheapest way to buy windows. Large PC manufacturers like Dell, HP etc. (collectively called royalty OEMs) install windows on millions of such PCs. The main characteristics of such systems are:

The license agreement and support agreement is between you and the PC maker, not MS.

Activation by the end user is not required. Windows is preactivated at the factory by the OEM using images and standard SLP keys.

Your copy of windows is locked to that PC. The license is not transferable.

OEM system builder is what you get when you buy from say Newegg or from a local "white box" vendor. It too has the characteristics of Royalty OEM windows. Although it is possible for an individual to buy a System Builder copy, the license requires that the software be installed using the OPK (OEM preinstall kit) and then resold.

Retail version is what you buy from a retailer like Amazon or Bestbuy. Its a full price version that comes packaged in a retail box with a retail product key. It has to be activated online via MS servers using the key on the box, it is not tied to the PC it was first installed on, though it can only be used on a single computer at a time. And, MS directly provides the support for it. It is also more expensive than OEM copies.

As far as functionality is concerned, theres no difference between any of the versions above, given any specific edition (i.e. between OEM pro and retail pro, or between OEM ultimate and retail ultimate).

sevenforums.com





Windows 8 OEM is a whole different ballgame.

License agreement for the transfer of a Windows 8 license
http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx

You can use that OEM license to activate only that windows that came with the pc. You can use that oem windows on a single computer at a time but that would be dishonor to both Dell and Msft. Now your choice become a pirate or become a genuine happy end user.
Experience: Tried it and installed win7 pro on my desktop pc and then got caught and bought a get genuine kit.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM

$99.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM

$99.00

Yes it is!

Can be used on any PC but once installed on any PC they are permanently tied to that MOBO so after install can only be used on THAT PC. (according to MS's EULA which mayor may not be enforceable !)

@OP -- Does the DELL system still have the COA attached to the old system ? and has that key ever been used to reinstall without using the recovery partition ? -- If no then it is highly likely that using that key on a new installation will work to activate the new install on the new system. (Is doing this "legal" - depends on where you live and what laws they follow -- Some would say no because MS puts in their EULA that it is non-transferable -- others would say yes because software that is purchased (even if purchased on a system) becomes the property of the end user who then is allowed to move it to another system as they please since they purchased it. There is no actual case law that proves one or the other is accurate - and MS is never going to sue a private individual over a single license so there is only a very minimal chance that doing so would have any ill result - since once activated MS has no way of knowing how the license was received and in most jurisdictions the fact that their server activated the product would further prove it was "legal"

Rather than purchase a new copy before finding out if the old one activates - I'd suggest downloading an iso OEM copy from Digital River (MS's approved digital download source) and use it to install the OS on the new system and use the code from the COA sticker to activate -- chances are it will activate and your done.
If automatic activation fails use the phone activation and the computer will give you a response code to activate or tell you to talk to a rep. -- If you wind up talking to a rep explain to them that the old system is being retired and the software is only being used on the new system and they will usually provide a working response code and you are finished.
Worse case the rep will notify you that the old license can not be reused and you need to purchase a new license -- Even if that happens you will have at minimum 30 days to purchase a new license and all that is involved is changing the key once you receive the new code and activating -- so you canuse the system during that 30 days and will not need to reinstall once you purchase it so there is no harm in trying prior to spending the $100.

COA= Certificate Of Authenticity.
You have to manually activate windows 7 after installing by going to System Properties(right click My Computer>Properties) where you have to type in the 25 digit product key and validate it online.

What does COA stand for? And I have installed this windows 2 other times, hard drive failure and SSd install, and it never asked for anything as in a key.

Click to expand...

COA is Certificate of Authenticity -- It is the key code on the label attached to the original system case when purchased as required by the agreement between MS and the OEM -- that number is never used unless you reinstall using another OEM install disk (the restore disk included with the system will already have the activation code in the disk and will not require activation if used on the same system ) -- The COA key is included in case the restore disk (or recovery partition) is lost and you need to reinstall using a different install media at which point you will need to put in the key in order to activate the install. If you have never used that code before it will not be registered to any system and thus will usually work for any install on any system using an OEM install disk since it has not been registered to a system yet (so if only the recovery partition and\or restore disk have been used on the system in the past then the COA key is still unregistered and will activate an install with a new MOBO.




Unless you are using a restore disk - the OEM restore disks are preactivated so no need to enter the product key if the restore disk that came with the system is reused on that same system.