Do I have to buy Win7 again?

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plodalmighty

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Jan 28, 2014
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I'm currently in the process of compiling new parts to upgrade my build, I'm just wondering if I change my hard drive and my motherboard; will I have to buy win7 again or is there some way of getting around it?
 
Solution
tiny voices
You need to call microsoft and explain to them what you are doing and ask for a new CD key. They will probably deactivate your old CD key and give you a new one to use to ensure you only have one copy of Windows. I have done his successfully multiple times.
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tiny voices

tiny voices

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Sep 6, 2012
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You need to call microsoft and explain to them what you are doing and ask for a new CD key. They will probably deactivate your old CD key and give you a new one to use to ensure you only have one copy of Windows. I have done his successfully multiple times.
 
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Solution
Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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Aug 3, 2006
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That depends. Did you previously purchase the retail or OEM version of Windows 7?

If you purchased the retail version, you can legally install it onto you new system (only installed on one system at a time). If you previously purchased the OEM version, you will need to purchase Windows 7 again.

-Wolf sends
 
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The_Assassin

The_Assassin

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Sep 5, 2012
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If you have an OEM copy of Win7 and you are just going to upgrade your hard drive, NO you will not have to buy another copy because your copy of win7 is grounded to your motherboard.
 
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Dragoic

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May 5, 2013
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No you wont need to.

But what you need is:

1: Your Windows 7 CD key. If you can't find or rememeber your key then use Speccy to find it for you link: http://www.piriform.com/speccy

2: CD or ISO file with the Windows 7 installation. Either download it from this page: http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds

3: When Windows 7 is installed and you type in the key, it will say ask you to reactivate your key on the new hardware. That is done by calling the nr it says and a automated phone system will guide you though the rest.
 
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plodalmighty

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Jan 28, 2014
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to be honest, I don't know if it's the retail version or not. when I first bought my computer, it already had win7 installed as an OS; it came with the disk but I consider that to be standard policy. is there anyway of finding out?

 
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Dragoic

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May 5, 2013
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Does not matter. All that matters is what version of Windows it is (Home or Pro). I've so far used over 20 Windows 7 keys. Both Home and Pro preinstalled on laptops from my company. But since we use Windows 7 Enterprise and have no need for the preinstalled OS nor the keys. They all go to waste. So more or less have i just used them to build PC's for friends and give them a free Windows 7.
 
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tiny voices

tiny voices

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Sep 6, 2012
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This is not true. There are OEM versions of Home and Pro. I have had to call to get new keys for both versions.
 
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Dragoic

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May 5, 2013
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My 57 keys and builds says otherwise. All OEM keys from Dell Latitude and HP Elite books.
 
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