New computer and need windows?

nicolas2465 · December 24, 2014

I just built my new PC and I installed windows from my old OEM dvd but it's not activated. Apparently if I buy windows 8.1 OEM or any OEM version, the product key can become invalid if I upgrade my hardware. So the solution would be to buy the full version of windows but it's so much more expensive. How can I get around this? What do I do? I have windows 7 home premium installed right now with no product key. I would like to just buy a product key but not the full DVD package from a store because I already have the OS installed. How would I go about doing this? Or am I forced to go to a non-OEM new version if I ever want to upgrade my hardware?

Hangfire · December 24, 2014

http://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap

GoodBytes · December 25, 2014

OEM licenses are tied to your motherboard. If your motherboard is the same, you can do a phone activation, and it will work.

If your old computer broke, and the motherboard needed to be replaced as a results, and you could not buy/replace the motherboard with the same one due to age, you can do a phone activation and activate windows that way, and it will work.

Else then that, as per license agreement which you agreed upon when installing your OEM version of Windows the first time, you need to buy a new one.

If you are student, see if your school or department is part of MSDNAA/Dreamspark Premium. If so, you have Windows Vista, 7 and 8 waiting for you, ready to be downloaded for free.

If not, but still a student, you can get Windows 8.1 Pro Full here: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msca/en_CA/pdp/Windows-8.1-Pro-Student/productID.288438200 for 62.99$ Canadian, at the online version of Microsoft Store (maybe you can get it in store, if you are close to one).