windows activation

R

robina_80

Active Member
if i build a new computer and stop using my current computer atm ie its out of date, not good for games and i scrap it or uninstall windows from it, can i install windows which i bought for my old computer and install it on my new build, or will i have to buy a completely new windows OEM for new computer
 
You can do that, but you may have to call Microsoft to get the activation key if you've already exceeded the number of activations.
 
Yeah, unless you can convince Microsoft that your other computer is "toast", And that you new pc is the only computer windows will be activated on. Then they will give you a new key.

Of course, don't lie.. that is if something happend and your current computer just up and died before you get the new one built.. ;)
 
Micro$oft sucks.

you are the owner. You should be able to do what you want (besides piracy) with it.

At least Mac OS lets you put it on more than one computer, and Windows 98 didn't have any activation to it.
 
I activated my XP numerous times but it has always been on one computer at a time.I just call Microsoft and do it.It's all automated.
 
MS laxed a little on seeing Windows automatically activated online. At one time if you reinstalled XP within so many days you would see the exceeded message appear and end up having to call in directly on a toll free number.

Lately when having to reinstall XP as well as a repair when reconfiguring the system activated each time. Same seen with Vista which activates as soon as you are online automatically with the option checked off.

When leaving XP Pro on the last build the Home version along with Vista went on the current build to see different dual booting all over again. As long as you have a geniune disk with the actual product key you shouldn't see any problem.
 
so if ive exceeded the number of activations, i have to get a new copy of windows?
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No. You just need to call the Toll Free number that will pop up after you try to activate online and it's denied. Call them and tell them the reason you're reinstalling it and if it's legit reason, they will give you a new code.
 
robina_80 said:
so if ive exceeded the number of activations, i have to get a new copy of windows?
Click to expand...

ThatGuy16 said:
Yeah, unless you can convince Microsoft that your other computer is "toast", And that you new pc is the only computer windows will be activated on. Then they will give you a new key.

Of course, don't lie.. that is if something happend and your current computer just up and died before you get the new one built.. ;)
Click to expand...
You don't need to buy it again.

All you do is call up the 800 number they give you, tell them you replaced some parts and it's telling you to activate. They will ask if you are using it on more then one machine (Say no, don't get into the switching of machines, as it confuses some of them). They will give you an activation number, and thats it.
 
For both XP and Vista having reinstalled both lately several times each the activation online was immediate. Without reinstalling Vista last fall when the first board on the current build let go while XP was once the new board was in a call to MS was needed. That was simply to avoid a full reinstall then.
 
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