Any possible way to use OEM twice?

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crazypotatos

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Jul 12, 2013
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I told my brother I'd build him a computer once he had enough money, and I'm trying to save him as much as possible. I bought windows 7 OEM last year for my computer, and I was wondering if there is any way to have it work on his computer as well. From what I've read, its not possible because it connects to MS servers and locks it to the original computer.

His computer now has XP, but I don't think I could just move that hdd to the new computer and have it work somehow, plus that computer is so screwed up I'd rather wipe it.
 
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crazypotatos

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Jul 12, 2013
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10,510


So if I called them up and said "Hey my old mobo broke, and this is the new one send me a new activation key please" Would they deactivate the old one? Hypothetically of course
 
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ubercake

ubercake

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Oct 28, 2009
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I have heard about the restrictions only through various forums, but no place I've found on the Microsoft site makes the differentiation between the OEM and Retail versions other than the lack of support provided by Microsoft for OEM versions. I was able to find this agreement:

http://download.microsoft.com/documents/useTerms/Windows%207_Home%20Premium_English_f3fcb9dc-3b69-4a18-ae3c-7d7bede82812.pdf

Items 2.a and 2.b on the first and second pages read as follows:

"a. One Copy per Computer. The software license is permanently assigned to the computer with which the software is distributed. That computer is the “licensed computer.”

b. Licensed Computer. You may use the software on up to two processors on the licensed
computer at one time. Unless otherwise provided in these license terms, you may not use the
software on any other computer."

What constitutes "licensed computer"? This is arguable. I haven't seen anything on the MS web site that indicates what this is exactly. Can you change out the CPU or motherboard and still operate within the license terms? I have found no official document on Microsoft's web site indicating one way or another.

Can anyone provide any other link from Microsoft that states anything other than what is in the document I've linked for the OEM version or Retail Version? Not just some forum dude's idea (of which there are plenty on the MS forums) of what the license is? One guy will tell you as long as you don't change the motherboard you're still within the license agreement; again on the forum. Is there a document more official than the one of which I've linked?

I'm not trying to argue with anyone over this, but I haven't seen any official information to back up what is or isn't within the licensing agreement with regard to hardware replacements or upgrades.
 
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