Can I re-install my OEM version of Windows 7 on an upgraded PC?

Question: When upgrading or adding new components to a computer, why doesn't one just reinstall windows? Basically reformat the hard drive and start fresh?

I constantly reformatting my hard drive (within reason, probably bare min once a year, unless a major upgrade is done). I always just reinstall windows.

People still use two hard drives right? One hard drive for windows, the other for documents and what not. So really your not losing anything.
 
Because you still aren't getting past the reactivation issue and plus reinstalling is time consuming.
 
johnb35 said:
Because you still aren't getting past the reactivation issue and plus reinstalling is time consuming.
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Sorry, missed the reactivation issue.

It's not that bad. I can have my system fully up and running with everything going in less then an hour. But then again, i'm sure people don't want to sit in front of their computer like me for an hour setting it all up. lol
 
CrazyMike said:
Sorry, missed the reactivation issue.

It's not that bad. I can have my system fully up and running with everything going in less then an hour. But then again, i'm sure people don't want to sit in front of their computer like me for an hour setting it all up. lol
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I think you're missing the most important point of my question, which is that I have an OEM version of Windows 7. If I didn't, I wouldn't have a problem with reinstalling Windows if that was necessary.

But with an OEM version, it is basically a one-time only activation key that ties itself to your motherboard, and apparently even if I didn't reinstall Windows (i.e. kept the same HDD) my copy of Windows would still detect that I switched motherboards and it would ask me to activate a new copy (i.e. with a new activation key).

Edit: I figured that if I had to reinstall Windows, I would need a new activation key. Mainly I was asking about the specific situation where I did NOT need to reinstall Windows, since I don't need to upgrade my HDD. But apparently OEM versions still detect a hardware change.
 
JohnJSal said:
I think you're missing the most important point of my question, which is that I have an OEM version of Windows 7. If I didn't, I wouldn't have a problem with reinstalling Windows if that was necessary.

But with an OEM version, it is basically a one-time only activation key that ties itself to your motherboard, and apparently even if I didn't reinstall Windows (i.e. kept the same HDD) my copy of Windows would still detect that I switched motherboards and it would ask me to activate a new copy (i.e. with a new activation key).

Edit: I figured that if I had to reinstall Windows, I would need a new activation key. Mainly I was asking about the specific situation where I did NOT need to reinstall Windows, since I don't need to upgrade my HDD. But apparently OEM versions still detect a hardware change.
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OEM doesn't mean that you have a one time key. I use my OEM edition all the time for reformatting. You can use the key for only one hard drive (one user). That's the only limitation. But ya, if you do not want to reinstall windows, get a new key, punch it in, good to go.
 
You do not need to reinstall Windows no matter what components you change lol.Are you sure you really want to reinstall ALL your software lol?

Simply change your components and then perform the Windows 7 repair process using your Windows 7 disk.That will adapt OS to the new hardware without the need to reinstall anything.
 
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