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    Windows activation question

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by voltaire, Sep 9, 2009.

  1. voltaire

    voltaire Notebook Consultant

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    Up until recently I've always just had one computer and not being into torrents I've bought the operating systems that I've used. Having received a laptop I'm wondering, if I buy Windows 7 can I install it both on my desktop and laptop without any problems from Microsoft? Any help would be most appreciated.
     
    voltaire, Sep 9, 2009
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  2. DarkSilver

    DarkSilver MSI Afterburner

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    You can only install to either 1 of them.
    Because Windows 7 or Vista will prompt you to activate the Windows License Key. If same key is used for your laptop and desktop, 1 of them will receive invalid license key message.
    If you have 2 license key, then, you can have both laptop and desktop Windows 7 activated.
     
    DarkSilver, Sep 10, 2009
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  3. S.SubZero

    S.SubZero Notebook Deity

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    The entire point of the activation system is to prevent this. A license for Windows 7 entitles one install on one computer.
     
    S.SubZero, Sep 10, 2009
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  4. Garandhero

    Garandhero Notebook Deity

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    What if you reformat and install? do you need a new license key?
     
    Garandhero, Sep 10, 2009
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  5. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    no. just one licence at a time is allowed to be active.

    so you can install it on two pc's, and you can activate it on two pc's. but after some while where both pc's where on the net, doing updates, etc in parallel, microsoft will notice that you have two systems active with the same licence, and can react on it. how? no clue, never tried it. but i know you can activate as much as you want as long as it's not running at the same time. like, for re-installations.
     
    davepermen, Sep 10, 2009
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  6. Garandhero

    Garandhero Notebook Deity

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    Interesting.... good to know thanks.
     
    Garandhero, Sep 10, 2009
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  7. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    be aware, that, depending on the country, OEMs are not allowed to be installed on different systems. here in Switzerland, i can install an OEM license anywhere i want, as long as it's on one machine only. in America, i could only reinstall it on the same machine.

    but technically, they allow to activate on any machine. they check afterwards if you happen to abuse your licenses.
     
    davepermen, Sep 10, 2009
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  8. voltaire

    voltaire Notebook Consultant

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    thanks folks.
     
    voltaire, Sep 10, 2009
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  9. S.SubZero

    S.SubZero Notebook Deity

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    When I say "one install on one PC" I'm using "install" as a noun. That is to say, the license doesn't allow someone to partition their hard drive and then install Windows three times, or have a half dozen virtual machines. "They're on the same PC hurr" is not a value excuse for that.
     
    S.SubZero, Sep 11, 2009
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