Motherboard Upgrade Windows 7 OEM

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Servius

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Apr 21, 2015
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I have a prebuilt computer with a windows 7 oem. I would like to upgrade my motherboard but i have heard that a OEM windows 7 wont work on a different motherboard.

So my question is can I upgrade my motherboard without a new windows 7?
 
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orlbuckeye

orlbuckeye

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May 1, 2009
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Yes you can upgrade but without an OS the computer won't boot. You can add a motherboard and install Linux which is free. But you have to buy a new Windows 7 license either retail or OEM and you can install Windows 7 legally.
 
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The Original Ralph

The Original Ralph

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what orlbuckeye said is correct - you can install the OEM windows copy again but you'll constantly get msgs that this is an invalid copy or possibly a counterfeit copy of windows

i had the same problem when i changed motherboards (running win 7 x64 OEM copy) and when i called into microsoft, i indicated my motherboard had fried and I was simply replacing a bad mobo - they gave me a key for a one time use -

hope that helps and fwiw, surprisingly it didn't take that long on the phone with microsoft to get thru and get the assistance
 
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orlbuckeye

orlbuckeye

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Yes it's OK if you replace with the same motherboard but if you upgrade that's a different story
 
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orlbuckeye

orlbuckeye

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Well there are 2 types of OEM. One where you buy from Newegg or Tiger Direct or one that comes with the computer. Well changing motherboards is technically a new computer the way OEM's and MS define computers. Technically OEM's are licensed to the first Computer/motherboard they are installed on. So if you get a new computer/motherboard and iot doens't activate then MS is the only one that can activate. What you tell MS is between you and them. But MS is the only one that can activate windows.
 
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