Using Windows 7 SP1 OEM disc on Multiple PCs

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simmons33

simmons33

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Nov 7, 2012
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Let me get right to the point.

My friend is upgrading Mobos and he cant find his Windows 7 SP1 OEM CD along with his activation key....because its with the disc.

Is it possible for the time being to use my Windows 7 OEM disc that is currently activated on my PC to install Windows on his machine? So he can later find his activation code and activate windows?

This shouldnt mess with the activation of my copy as we are only using the disc to install windows...right?

Im also well aware that his key will be invalid due to changing motherboards because of the license policy with OEM copies of windows....

Also..... He upgrading from a AMD AMD RX881/760G based board to a Intel Z97 Board.....his friend claims that we shouldnt have to reinstall windows....

I call BS... Doing a upgrade like that without cleanly installing windows will lead to driver conflicts and software rot.... Ive been doing this for a while and thats my conclusion...

yours?
 
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SkylerJacobs

SkylerJacobs

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Jan 26, 2015
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Yes, the disk will work to install windows. He could also burn his own disk by downloading the ISO file from Microsoft directly. This is what i did to do a fresh OS install on my Laptop recently.

It is always good to do a fresh OS install with a motherboard change. As you said, because of driver conflicts.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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Run a free app called "magical jellybean keyfinder" on his current pc.
You will find his activation key.

If you could boot with the old hard drive, you could just install the new motherboard drivers.
But I have failed 100% of the time trying to change from amd to intel.
Intel to intel is likely to work if the chipsets are close.
You need to do a clean install. I think you could do it with your copy of windows.
It will run for 3 days before needing activation. Try to activate using the old oem key. It should not work, and you will be invited to do a phone activation. MS is very lenient on allowing replacement motherboards with oem licenses. The key is to assure them that this new windows is not used on any other pc.

This would be an opportune time to convert to a SSD.
Run windows easy transfer to export your settings.
Leave the old drive disconnected during the install or windows will put a hidden recovery partition on it complicating things.
Later after the ssd install, you can reattach the old drive and files will be available.
You can then import your settings.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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Intel board upgrade...

You will not only have to reinstall Windows, but you will need a new copy as well. I'd suggest just using Windows 10 Technical Preview regardless since that can be upgraded in-place (so you can install now and buy later). No need to remove and install the full version later.

W10 will be out by end of summer (likely August).

*I think there is some CONFUSION here. You're going from an AMD board, not reinstalling Windows to the same board. You have to buy a new copy of Windows.

Yes, you could install YOUR copy to the new board without Activating but that's pointless since HIS key was used on the AMD board and is not transferable.
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Jun 24, 2014
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Since the version that was installed and registered was an OEM version of Win7, and you've changed motherboards, you WILL need a new product key. If you had Win8 or it was a retail version, it wouldn't be an issue. I'd suggest buying whatever version is the least expensive since Win10 will be a free upgrade to licensed purchasers and should be released within a few months.
 
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simmons33

simmons33

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Nov 7, 2012
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Thank you all for the responses as well as the tool.

I was also aware of the needing a new key as stated in the post, but at least I can use these posts as ammunition to prove a point.

Thanks very much
 
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