Simple Licensing Question

[Guest]

My computer in the office came with an OEM version of
Windows. Can I reinstall the same OS on a new hard drive
and still be licensed to use it?

Not sure I still have the original CD, if there was one.
Is there any way to find out what the license key is on
my running computer?

 

[Tim Springston [MS]]

If you are talking about the product key, the answer is no. This is stored
in another format.

Typically, licensing strategies state that the OS is tied to one PC. If you
purchased the OS on your machine from a vendor already then there was likely
an OEM EULA. Simple answer is a probable 'yes, you can', but check with
whom you bought the computer/OS.

 

[Rob Stow]

My computer in the office came with an OEM version of
Windows. Can I reinstall the same OS on a new hard drive
and still be licensed to use it?

If that hard drive is in the same computer, yes.
If it is in a different computer, no.

Not sure I still have the original CD, if there was one.

If you can find the some proof of purchase of your OEM
copy of windows - such as the original receipt for the
computer indicating that it came with Windows preinstalled -
then you should be able to get a replacement CD from
MicroSoft or perhaps even the computer vendor.

Is there any way to find out what the license key is on
my running computer?

Not as far as I know. It is encrypted - primarily as
an anti-piracy measure.


If the new hard drive is in the same computer and you
can't find the CD or the product key, you can also use
a product like Ghost or Drive Image to clone the old
hard drive onto the new hard drive. There is a little
more to it than that, but I don't want to spend time on
it without knowing more about what you are trying to do.