Multiple Win 7 installs on the same computer w/ same key?

[neocpp]

Hi all,

I'm just wondering, is it possible to have multiple copies of Win 7 on your machine with the same key? The hardware would be identical (except for the drive!), and I would only have one copy running at any given time. Here is what I am planning: I have a couple of spare drives and a hot-swap bay, so I want to keep a relatively clean install on one drive for work and a completely separate copy on another drive for games and tinkering.

I've tried to search for answers online, but unfortunately my results are extremely cluttered with people who want to use the same key on different computers, which is not what I am trying to do.

Thanks,
neocpp

 

[VirtualLarry]

should be fine

 

[Berryracer]

The best thing is to Format, install Windows, activate it, perform all the Windows Updates, configure everthing to your liking such as folder locations and settings, then create an image of your drive using disk imaging software

a good free option is:

EaseUS Todo Backup Free

After activating 3 times online you will no longer be able to activate and will require to call Microsoft by phone to activate which is a tedious task entering that long activation key

 

[VirtualLarry]

After activating 3 times online you will no longer be able to activate and will require to call Microsoft by phone to activate which is a tedious task entering that long activation key

This is not true, as long as the hardware hasn't changed, you can re-activate the same serial on the same hardware as many times as you want. At least, I've never run into a limit. This is with a retail key, I don't know about the OEM keys.

 

[Zaap]

OP has the right idea. It's definitely a great idea to have a bootable backup of Windows on the same system, and you're exactly right, it's the same hardware and doesn't count against activation.

As long as you can select your startup disk on the fly from an F-prompt at startup then I'd recommend installing each copy of Windows so that it has it's own boot sector. Easiest way is just to clone the first OS drive, or install each time with the target drive as the only drive in the system. That way you also get the benefit of redundant bootable OS's that are also completely independent of each other.

 

[neocpp]

Thanks for the responses guys, it sounds like the easiest way is to set up one install completely and then clone it. I was mostly worried about the activation even though it's the same hardware, but it sounds like I should be fine.

 

[corkyg]

That's exactly what I do on three computers. Each has 2 identical drives with the same software and OS. Only one drive is used at a time - the others are in reserve. All are mounted in mobile racks with power switches. Been doing it for years - never a problem.

Each week I rotate through the drives and get them all updated. Makes things like beta testing rather fearless.

 

[jacktesterson]

Works fine.

 

[cl-scott]

Technically this is possible, but it is still also technically software piracy. The Windows EULA clearly states that you are allowed to install a single copy on a single computer. So Microsoft would be perfectly justified in coming after you for a copyright violation if you did this. So, make sure to weigh that against everything else in making your decision.

 

[corkyg]

And, if the backup/reserve drives are all the same, and only one is used, that is a single copy on a single computer. I have been over this with Microsoft. It is not a problem. Backup drives are allowed! If they are not connected, they are not installed.

 

[neocpp]

Interesting. I wonder what their reasoning for that is (I understand the issue with multiple machines, since there is potential for the licencee to use it concurrently with the actual licensed copy -- but this scenario is precluded with what I was planning). I suppose it doesn't affect me too much since I can get other licenses from school, but I only have a limited number and was hoping I wouldn't have to use more than one per machine.

 

[Zaap]

And, if the backup/reserve drives are all the same, and only one is used, that is a single copy on a single computer. I have been over this with Microsoft. It is not a problem. Backup drives are allowed! If they are not connected, they are not installed.

Exactly this.

Microsoft has no problem with you having a backup of the same OS on a single system as you're never running more than one instance at once. A violation would be running the backup on a completely different system.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Technically this is possible, but it is still also technically software piracy. The Windows EULA clearly states that you are allowed to install a single copy on a single computer. So Microsoft would be perfectly justified in coming after you for a copyright violation if you did this. So, make sure to weigh that against everything else in making your decision.

But you would be running only a single copy on a single computer, at any one time. So it's legal.

 

[brotj7]

I know a contractor who keeps a different HD clone for each client. Only one is used at a time, so it fits his licence.