question about windows product key

[pcgamer907]

so guys i upgraded my pc to windows 10 but im getting a new pc for christmas so my question is i have a sticker on my pc where the windows 7 product key is writen on can u use this key or not

[GauntletV2]

Are you getting a new hdd, ssd, etc in the new comp or just reusing what you have?

[pcgamer907]

Are you getting a new hdd, ssd, etc in the new comp or just reusing what you have?

 

new computer so new hdd 

[appledeaf]

you can, but you must verify an Windows uninstallation on your old PC.

[Blake]

you can, but you must verify an Windows uninstallation on your old PC.

Completely wrong.

 

 

so guys i upgraded my pc to windows 10 but im getting a new pc for christmas so my question is i have a sticker on my pc where the windows 7 product key is writen on can u use this key or not

Look at the sticker, does it say OEM? if it does, you are going to need a new License. Heck, as you are moving your install to another system, you need to have a retail copy, and even then I know ms is starting to cut down on this (i.e. retail licenses are becoming non-transferable)

[demonix00]

Has the key been used to reinstall the original OS on that computer?

 

If it hasn't, then it's likely that key will work on a new install since up to windows 7 for all the major PC manufacturers they would use a pre-activated image to install the OS onto the computers (it the reason why a load of computers with vista suddenly became not genuine since MS started blocking the key used), but if it has been used for a reinstall or the computer came from a specialist then the key will be locked to that hardware and can't be used.

 

One word of warning though as this is a grey area and if you try to do this it is at your own risk, so if it doesn't work for one reason or another you will have to get a new copy of windows 7 to get it working.

[Vylkire]

Short answer; Yes.

 

Long and more useful answer:

http://www.networkworld.com/article/2977210/microsoft-subnet/windows-10-deactivated-replacing-hardware.html

 

You're going to need to contact Microsoft after you upgrade (which I've had to do with Windows 8, because...reasons? I think one of my non-OS HDDs failed at the time and it just deactivated for luls.) and get them to sort out the activation with you. Basically, as long as you're not using the copy of windows you've got on two computers, they should help out...but tbh, they don't -have- to.

 

EDIT: Also, you're going to need to grab an install image and you'll probably be better off making one yourself and putting it on a USB from Windows

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_10-win_upgrade/how-to-create-a-recovery-drive-for-reinstalling/58df9c7d-84de-4652-9952-8bac34abc6c5

^^ Should help, but there are tonnes of how-to's online