Penny Arcade Forums› Help / Advice Forum
The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.

Number of allowed Windows 7 installs

HeirHeir Ausitn, TXRegistered User regular
edited November 2011 in Help / Advice Forum
Hi guys,

I'm building a new computer, and my current PC already has Windows 7 Ultimate on it (I have the disk, it's not OEM). Will I be able to use that same disc on the new PC if I intend to still use the old one at the same time?

camo_sig2.png
Heir on

Posts

  • EchoEcho ski-bap ba-dapModerator, Administrator admin
    Might require a reactivation if it grumbles about the new hardware, but that's just a quick call to Microsoft.

    This assuming you mean replacing the old computer with the new one. Dunno what Windows does if you run the same license on two computers at once.

  • DjeetDjeet Registered User regular
    edited November 2011
    Getting Windows working on 2 machines when you're only licensed to use it on one machine would be de facto piracy. If you stopped using the old machine, or uninstalled Windows from it you'd be permitted to use the Retail version of the OS (which I'm assuming you have) on the new machine.

    If you're trying to use the software in a properly licensed way, you can install and activate unlimited times.

    Discussing how to get the software to work in an unlicensed manner may be violating the forum rules.

    Edit: I did not intend to come off as terse as I may have, just wanted to make sure the thread wasn't headed in a certain direction. People often confuse licensing (a legal thing) with activation (a technical thing).

    Djeet on
  • HeirHeir Ausitn, TXRegistered User regular
    That's basically what I wanted to know...if I would be breaking any EULA, T&Cs, etc by having it installed on two computers at once. Sounds like the answer is yes though.

    camo_sig2.png
  • Marty81Marty81 Registered User regular
    It's not an unreasonable question to ask. Many software licenses allow you to use the software on multiple machines.

  • Donovan PuppyfuckerDonovan Puppyfucker A dagger in the dark is worth a thousand swords in the morningRegistered User regular
    If you want to keep using it on the old computer as well as the new one, you might be able to buy an additional license from Microsoft. Give 'em a ring and ask.

  • RadicalTurnipRadicalTurnip Registered User regular
    edited November 2011
    I contacted Windows about my copy of Windows 7 Pro (though it's the Student Edition) and they said I only had one seat, which I was bummed about, because my old copy of Windows ME had 3 seats, as far as I knew (at least, we had it on three computers, and they all activated fine, but when we tried a fourth, it didn't...but other than that, everything seemed fine, those were the naive days of piracy...at least for me), but yes, it's likely that you are only allowed one seat at a time. If it's an upgrade and scrap/don't use situation, then it'll be fine, otherwise, you may need another copy.

    Edit: Can't hurt to send them an email asking them, though.

    RadicalTurnip on
  • amateurhouramateurhour One day I'll be professionalhour The woods somewhere in TennesseeRegistered User regular
    Microsoft is actually pretty cool about this. I had a Dell laptop that came with vista but was purchased with a win7 upgrade, so it had a vista code on the bottom but the win7 OEM disk. When I reinstalled, it wouldn't work, and wanted me to buy an activation. I called Microsoft, and they actually just gave me a brand new key with a 3 seat license. It was very quick and painless and the dude was super cool about it, but they do require you to let them login to your machine just to check things out.

    Also, if you for some reason don't get the same deal, having the disc usually means you just have to pay the upgrade price for the new license. (I.E. instead of $200 or so for Win7 it's only like $90 when you get the notification)

    are YOU on the beer list?
  • amateurhouramateurhour One day I'll be professionalhour The woods somewhere in TennesseeRegistered User regular
    edited November 2011
    Microsoft is actually pretty cool about this. I had a Dell laptop that came with vista but was purchased with a win7 upgrade, so it had a vista code on the bottom but the win7 OEM disk. When I reinstalled, it wouldn't work, and wanted me to buy an activation. I called Microsoft, and they actually just gave me a brand new key with a 3 seat license. It was very quick and painless and the dude was super cool about it, but they do require you to let them login to your machine just to check things out.

    Also, if you for some reason don't get the same deal, having the disc usually means you just have to pay the upgrade price for the new license. (I.E. instead of $200 or so for Win7 it's only like $90 when you get the notification)

    I guess what I'm saying is, install it, and if it gives you an error or says it's not valid, just call them up and they might give you a key or activate it for you.

    amateurhour on
    are YOU on the beer list?
  • HeirHeir Ausitn, TXRegistered User regular
    Thanks guys, I might give them a call and try. If not I have an old copy of Vista laying around that I can put on the old computer.

    camo_sig2.png
  • JadedJaded Registered User regular
    My wife recently got a new computer which has an OEM copy of Windows7. If I called up Microsoft and asked them for a second number they may provide one for a fee? If so I'd consider that.

    Don't know if an OEM is different from a regular install, forgive my ignorance on this one.

    I can't think of anything clever.
Sign In or Register to comment.
Penny Arcade Forums› Help / Advice Forum