Upgrading Windows: could some of my applications refuse to be reinstalled?

[Blaq]

Although I've been a techy PC user for a long time, this is the first time I've had to reinstall my whole system. (I'm moving from an old Vista-based HDD to a new hybrid drive with Windows 7, with the User and ProgramData folders on a separate partition.) My concern is with all the 3rd-party applications I've bought over the years.

Could some of my 3rd-party applications refuse to be reinstalled if they weren't uninstalled before I installed the new drive? Putting myself in the shoes of a software developer, I wouldn't want to allow infinite installs on one license key — that would enable massive piracy. On the other hand, I assume users around the world have to reinstall software all the time, so the company should expect to receive installation messages from existing license keys, otherwise they'd face a customer-service nightmare.

I'm just afraid that some of my software will refuse to be reinstalled and require me to buy a new license key to be reinstalled on the same PC. I'm talking everything from the smallest $10 shareware all the way to heavyweights like Photoshop and Office.

Can I simply take an inventory of my product keys (e.g. with System Information for Windows) and make the switch or will some application require extra steps?

Thanks for your help.

 

[smakme7757]

The software will still reinstall, but it might not activate depending on how strict the developer is. In that case just send them an email and they will most likely allow you to activate your software.

Odds are that everything will be fine, but worst case you send an email, don't be buying duplicate software that you have already paid for and only need a single license. Contact customer service and they will sort you out.

 

[Steltek]

Office probably won't give you any problems as long as you are re-installing it on the same hardware. You definitely need to deactivate Adobe Photoshop - in both the CS5/CS6 versions, there is a "Deactivate" menu option under the Help menu. Once you deactivate it, you won't be able to use it again until you reactivate (or reinstall and reactivate). Most Adobe software works similarly due to their activation scheme. I know Macrium Reflect and Nitro Pro do the same thing, so you'll literally have to look application to application to know for sure.

 

[JackMDS]

If you have software that does not activate through the Internet and the key that came with it was not generated by the selles for your specific hardwar you can install it on the upgtade and evry thing will ok.

If you have software that is Internet Activated, or a key that was generated for you specific current computer than either install and take your chances or contact the vendor before you install.

In any case it really depending on the specific software and we do not know what is the specific "cocktail" that is installed on your computer.