Windows Help

[DoctorEeevil]

I'm building a new PC in about two weeks, but I'm not sure if my copy of windows 7 will work. It has been used for bootcamp, but when I enter the product key, it says its invalid. Will I be able to get a new key, and have older copies of windows from this key be deactivated, or do I need to buy a new copy? I want to use this copy of windows 7 to upgrade to Windows 10. Any help? (I have no previous experience with windows, have always been a Mac user)

[zzenigmaxzz]

if you purchased the key yourself from retail it will work, if its an oem key it will not and you will need to purchase a new one

 

you can get a cheap windows 7 key from various sites (as low as $20 bucks) and then upgrade to 10 from there

[DoctorEeevil]

if you purchased the key yourself from retail it will work, if its an oem key it will not and you will need to purchase a new one

you can get a cheap windows 7 key from various sites (as low as $20 bucks) and then upgrade to 10 from there

How can I tell whether it's OEM or not? I'm not the person who originally bought the copy of windows. I would also like to stay away from grey market keys. If this one won't work, I'll just pony up for a new copy of windows 10.

[zzenigmaxzz]

How can I tell whether it's OEM or not? I'm not the person who originally bought the copy of windows. I would also like to stay away from grey market keys. If this one won't work, I'll just pony up for a new copy of windows 10.

if it came with the pc as a prebuilt its oem, or if it was purchased from a site like newegg it may have been labeled as oem (would have to ask the original buyer)

[DoctorEeevil]

if it came with the pc as a prebuilt its oem, or if it was purchased from a site like newegg it may have been labeled as oem (would have to ask the original buyer)

It was bought in person from a computer store, separate from any computer. The key is on a sticker on the disk box. If this will work, how can I go about getting a functional key? Do I just call tech support? The key has only ever been used on virtual machines, or bootcamp on Macs.

[zzenigmaxzz]

it should work fine since it was a retail version 

[DoctorEeevil]

it should work fine since it was a retail version

So just call windows tech support?

[zzenigmaxzz]

So just call windows tech support?

you shouldnt need to, make sure youre entering it right... but if it doesnt work then yeah try calling them 

[DoctorEeevil]

you shouldnt need to

OK, I guess. I won't have any issues on a new PC, even though the key is "invalid" on my bootcamp?