win7 key license question

[gammaray]

So i installed windows 7 original with key on a new pc for my friend, but it's the same key i have on my computer. So when comes time to activate it, can he just purchase a new win 7 with new original key and activate it online, without having to re-install the OS from scratch?

thank you.

 

[krose]

Yes, you can. Open an admin command prompt, and type "slmgr /ipk <product key>" without the quotes and the brackets, then hit enter. The installation key will be replaced with the new one you entered.

 

[Doomer]

If you're not a command line junkie you can do this in the system applet.

 

[gammaray]

thank you very much both of you!

 

[Matt1970]

Next time you can leave the CD key windows blank. You still get the same 30 days to activate, and unless you actually unclicked "activate when I get online" it may have activated with your key.

 

[coolpurplefan]

Next time you can leave the CD key windows blank. You still get the same 30 days to activate, and unless you actually unclicked "activate when I get online" it may have activated with your key.

Are you implying you can try Win7 or Win8.1 for 30 days without a product key?

 

[Matt1970]

Are you implying you can try Win7 or Win8.1 for 30 days without a product key?

I think 8 gives you 90 days, but yes.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Are you implying you can try Win7 or Win8.1 for 30 days without a product key?

Windows 7 will work that way, indefinitely. As long as you don't mind a black background, prompts when you boot, and no updates and no MSE. Technically, the license prohibits running it un-activated for more than 30 days, but it doesn't lock you out like XP does.

And before anyone asks, yes, I have enough Win7 retail licenses to cover all of my PCs.

 

[coolpurplefan]

Windows 7 will work that way, indefinitely. As long as you don't mind a black background, prompts when you boot, and no updates and no MSE. Technically, the license prohibits running it un-activated for more than 30 days, but it doesn't lock you out like XP does.

And before anyone asks, yes, I have enough Win7 retail licenses to cover all of my PCs.

Yeah, well I'm still on XP. lol But I'd like to look before I leap.

I'd prefer updates so eventually I'd buy a license. What is MSE?

 

[krose]

MSE= Microsoft Security Essentials