New Computer - Windows Activation Issues
So I just built a new computer yesterday. Its beautiful, and I installed my copy of Windows 7 that I have on my laptop. Now I have 30 days to activate it, and the key I have was already used. Options? Switching from Windows isn't really one, and I'm not willing to pay for software that I already own*.
Is the key still in use? As in, is the other computer that you installed this on still operational and being used?
It is, though I briefly entertained the thought of uninstalling windows on my laptop to try and transfer it over. The laptop is 4 years old, and any further use would be as a backup or portable computer. The desktop is for gaming, hence me preferring Windows in this situation.Originally Posted by Wraith
If you're willing to discontinue use of your laptop, you can reuse it's key, but barring that I can't think of any legal options for you.
I've installed Ubuntu on the laptop before, and for basic surfing, and word processing, that wouldn't be a problem. Just a hassle. Thanks for the advice.
Just a heads-up: If you go that route, you might wind up needing to call MS to get your key authorized if you've used that laptop recently. I don't recall how 'recently' is defined in this case.
If this is only the 2nd time you will have activated the key, call the number that the activator tells you to call. Its an automated process thats pretty much limited to "how many times have you activated this on new hardware".
After that I've found users to be SOL. Anything past that 2nd activation and you get a rough message about the EULA not allowing more activations, even if the old hardware is no longer is use, and then it hangs up.
With XP the activation count would drop off old activations after a while, but with Windows 7 they never forget.
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