Will a new OEM Win 7 Pro install accept my system Image from my currently installed Win 7 Pro retail?

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dollseyes

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Feb 15, 2016
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Hi Guys,
I am getting a new pc with out a OS.
I have Win 7 Pro Retail on my current PC and a System Image of that is backed up onto a external hard Drive
I want to uninstall that and put it on my new computer then buy a OEM version to put on to my current computer and restore the system image.
For the new PC I will manually add software and files for that. No need for sytem image. Note my Win 7 Pro Retail is boxed with Product Key.


Is this possible?
 
Solution
larkspur

Right - your programs and files will not be affected. The only question is whether or not your old computer will accept the new OEM key. I don't see why it wouldn't as long as it is a genuine, unused, legit OEM key for Win 7 Pro (also remember there are 32 bit and 64 bit versions - it must be the same as your retail version). If that works and it activates successfully, then you should be able to install fresh on the new machine using your retail disk and retail key. Let us know how it...
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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Huh??
You lost me there, but...

1) Windows 7 once activated is tied to the same computer and non-transferrable. You can't "uninstall" on one PC and move over to another PC.

2) For NEW systems I suggest Windows 10, but if it has to be W7 then buy a new disc and install from scratch.
 
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SkyNetRising

SkyNetRising

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Jan 4, 2016
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Actually - with Windows retail version you can transfer license to another computer.
Problem is that Windows on the old computer (it's retail version) will not activate with new OEM key.

Just get OEM windows and put it onto your new computer. If you upgrade it to Win10 later, it will become OEM anyway.
 
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dollseyes

Commendable
Feb 15, 2016
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1,510
Thanks for the replies . Sorry if it's a little confusing.

Let me Explain -
My current PC has Win 7 Pro Retail (Bought boxed with Key few years back). I have a System Image back up of current PC on a external hard drive.
I am getting a new PC (custom build) with NO OS

Looking to buy OEM Win 7 Pro (Retail version is not readily available any more and only place I've seen in stock is Amazon CA at $323 )
I will uninstall Retail version from current PC and replace with OEM version.
Then I will do a fresh install of Win 7 Pro Retail on new PC

Finally I want to then restore system image back on the current PC that will have the OEM version on it.

Why do I want to do it this way?
OEM version is tied to one motherboard and not transferable. Current PC will not be upgraded.
My new PC overtime will have hardware changes. By having the Retail version on my new PC I can just reinstall when I make changes or if parts die. I

I am unsure on Win 10 . Too soon for that OS imo. Only been out 6 months and some colleagues have experienced problems with it. I've always been told with any new OS you should wait at least 1 year before you buy



 
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littleleo

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May 8, 2009
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Retail versions of windows can be installed on a new computer but has to be removed from the other computer. You can install the OEM version on but I'm not sure if you can restore an image from a Retail version on top of the OEM version. I've never heard of anyone attempting to do this. I would do the OEM install and then set restore points before attempting the image restore. Then if it doesn't work you can roll back to the restore point. Please let us know if this works I've never known anyone to do this and inquiring minds will want to know. You may have to save it file by file if you can't do the image restore.
 
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dollseyes

Commendable
Feb 15, 2016
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Appreciate comments guys.
Reading the replies it does seem like its not workable.

I do like 7 a lot, did not like 8 and 10 I have yet to try but it's got mixed feedback. Still feel it's too early to switch to that OS.
That said. I can upgrade for Free to Win 10 Pro on my current PC then I can buy Win 10 Pro Retail for my new computer.
Thoughts?
 
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larkspur

larkspur

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Mar 10, 2011
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dollseyes - I see exactly what you are trying to do. It sounds fine - but if Skynetrising is SURE that you can't change a retail key to an oem key then it wouldn't work. I'm a bit surprised at that since it doesn't hurt MS is any way and it is the exact same software just a different key. In control panel under system there is an option to change the key. But I've never heard of anyone changing a retail key to an OEM key - and skynetrising seems pretty sure that won't work. Seems strange, but if he's sure then ok.

If skynetrising is correct then you should just install the new OEM key on the new system (fresh install) and leave the old system as it is. You haven't lost anything this way and can still transfer your original retail key from the old system to some future system if you want. And BTW - when you recover using a system image you just need a blank volume - you don't have to install windows on the volume first and then install the system image. The system image contains the entire windows install and all the files and settings on the volume that was imaged. That's the advantage of a "windows system image" vs the old hokey windows "backup" option.
 
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larkspur

larkspur

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Can you confirm that for sure? Essentially the first thing he would do is just change the key on his original system to an oem key that he buys. Then he would fresh install on the new system using his original retail disk and key. There would be no need to do the system image recovery. Does that sound right?
 
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SkyNetRising

SkyNetRising

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Well, I know that installation from retail media isn't possible with OEM key.
But key upgrade from OEM to retail actually is possible (if windows versions match i.e home->home, pro->pro).
About retail key upgrade to OEM - this is tricky. It shouldn't be possible, but I'm not so sure anymore.
 
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larkspur

larkspur

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Well in that case then I would buy a genuine Win 7 Pro OEM key and change the old computer's key to the new OEM key.

Then just install Win 7 Pro on the new computer using the retail disk and key.

That should work fine and you won't have to worry about using the system image. The only problem I could see is if your old computer won't accept the new OEM key. Also, as mentioned previously, since your original retail key is for Win 7 Pro, then you need to buy a Win 7 Pro OEM key (it can't be Win 7 home or any other version other than Pro).
 
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dollseyes

Commendable
Feb 15, 2016
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That's what I was thinking larkspur. Both PC's will be Win 7 Pro - OEM ver for old PC and Retail for New.
How then would I change the Old Computers Key (Currently Retail) to OEM?
 
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SkyNetRising

SkyNetRising

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Go to ControlPanel/System - there is link to change product key at the bottom of the window.
windows-7-system-control-panel.png
 
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dollseyes

Commendable
Feb 15, 2016
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That's great SkyNetRising!
Just to be clear - I do that on my Old computer it will work and all the programs and files on there remain as they are?
Then I can put in the Retail DVD on the new computer and do a fresh install entering the Product Key that came with the DVD?
 
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accessn

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Mar 11, 2015
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I am sorry, I did not mean to vote you. I just click it unknowingly.

Please tell how to remove vote if I can.

Sorry again
 
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larkspur

larkspur

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Right - your programs and files will not be affected. The only question is whether or not your old computer will accept the new OEM key. I don't see why it wouldn't as long as it is a genuine, unused, legit OEM key for Win 7 Pro (also remember there are 32 bit and 64 bit versions - it must be the same as your retail version). If that works and it activates successfully, then you should be able to install fresh on the new machine using your retail disk and retail key. Let us know how it works out.
 
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