Windows License Help.

[tangene]

I am using Windows 7 OEM right now on DIY desktop. I have friends who have migrated their Win 7 OEM to new systems after upgrade. IF I upgrade to Windows 10, will I still be able to reuse key if upgrade in future?

 

[tungsten2]

You can reuse the key on the same machine as many times as you like. But if you activate the same key too many times, M$ might think it is stolen and block your activation. Best is clone the image out after activation and reclone your machine if something happens like slowness, OS crash, Hdd crash .......etc

 

[tangene]

I'm asking whether it can be migrated to a different machine.

Let's say I get a whole new rig tomorrow. I have heard that I will be able to reuse my old Win 7 OEM key for the new desktop as long as in the end my key is used for only one machine.

I am wondering whether that still applies IF I upgrade my OEM Win 7.

 

[ngbc]

No, OEM license is non-transferable:


Full Version/Retail licenses of Windows are the standard “consumer” version of Windows. If you’ve ever walked into an electronics store and saw a boxed copy of Windows on a shelf, you were looking at a retail license of Windows. These are designed for sale to average computer users who may be buying a new Windows license to upgrade their computer to a new version of Windows. It allows them to take their copy of Windows and install it on any PC they like — but it can only be installed on one PC at a time.

System Builder/OEM licenses of Windows are used by computer manufacturers — “Original Equipment Manufacturers.” Not only are they used by large computer manufacturers like Lenovo, Asus, Dell, and HP, they’re used by the local computer shop you might buy a custom-built computer from. Microsoft has swung back and forth on whether “enthusiasts” can use System Builder licenses of Windows when building their own PCs. This type of license is designed to stay tied to a single PC forever.

http://www.howtogeek.com/198358/wha...builder-and-full-version-editions-of-windows/

 

[tungsten2]

I'm asking whether it can be migrated to a different machine.

Let's say I get a whole new rig tomorrow. I have heard that I will be able to reuse my old Win 7 OEM key for the new desktop as long as in the end my key is used for only one machine.

I am wondering whether that still applies IF I upgrade my OEM Win 7.

1. It is illegal

2. You are going against the OEM license agreement.

3. It is as good as counterfeit an OS on another system.