Quantcast
Results 1 to 7 of 7
Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Saltgrass

How to upgrade HDD and keep my license?

  1. #1
    cristi92b is offline Junior Member
    Enjoys Windows 7 Forums
     
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    22
    Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 Firefox 15.0

    How to upgrade HDD and keep my license?

    Two years ago I bought a laptop that came with Windows 7 Home Premium installed. Now I would like to know if it's possible to upgrade my HDD and keep my OEM license, and how?

    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote

  2. #2
    ickymay's Avatar
    ickymay is offline Senior Member
    Enjoys Windows 7 Forums
     
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    847
    Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 Opera 12.02

    Re: How to upgrade HDD and keep my license?

    I believe the changes have to be substantial such as motherboard or CPU, I would personally just do it and if it does need re registering I doubt it will take more than a phone call to Microsoft.

    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote

  3. #3
    cristi92b is offline Junior Member Thread Starter Thread Starter
    Enjoys Windows 7 Forums
     
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    22
    Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 Firefox 15.0

    Re: How to upgrade HDD and keep my license?

    So there's nothing wrong with installing any Windows 7 Home Premium copy to my new HDD then try to activate it with my OEM key?

    EDIT:

    My laptop is a Lenovo IdeaPad Y560 and it came with no CD or DVD.
    Last edited by cristi92b; 09-01-2012 at 07:44 PM.

    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote

  4. #4
    Saltgrass is offline Microsoft Community Contributor This member is a certified Microsoft Community Contributor at Windows 7 Forums. Click here for more information from Microsoft.
    Just trying to help
     
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    6,486
    Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 Firefox 14.0.1

    Re: How to upgrade HDD and keep my license?

    Creating a system image is a good way to replace a Hard Drive. You won't even have to re-activate. But the partitioned space on the old drive must be equal to or less than space available on the new drive.

    And I agree with ickymay, a new hard drive will not void a OEM license.
    ickymay likes this.

    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote

  5. #5
    ickymay's Avatar
    ickymay is offline Senior Member
    Enjoys Windows 7 Forums
     
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    847
    Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 Opera 12.02

    Re: How to upgrade HDD and keep my license?

    As saltgrass says an image is another way and I concur might be simpler , and I have changed hard drives many times for my customers using fresh install or Image and not had a problem yet

    Be aware you can use a regular Windows 7 retail DVD and a genuine Windows 7 OEM product key to perform a "clean install"

    However, when it comes to product activation, you'll need to use the "activate by phone" method.

    The important thing to match is your version so install home if your key is for home and install pro if your key is for pro etc .....
    Last edited by ickymay; 09-02-2012 at 06:00 AM.

    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote

  6. #6
    cristi92b is offline Junior Member Thread Starter Thread Starter
    Enjoys Windows 7 Forums
     
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    22
    Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 Firefox 15.0

    Re: How to upgrade HDD and keep my license?

    Thank you very much!!! That's all I wanted to know...

    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote

  7. #7
    Titanic's Avatar
    Titanic is offline Senior Member
    Trying to learn from wise[r]
    Ones.
     
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Age
    54
    Posts
    644
    Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 Chrome 21.0.1180.89

    Re: How to upgrade HDD and keep my license?

    Legally, Microsoft grants certain timely or dimensional rights to programs. Once you've bought a right, they are bound to be quite servant. It's called customer service.
    No one could make a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little. - Edmund Burke

    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10-25-2011, 12:10 PM
  2. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-23-2010, 08:30 AM
  3. License Key Help
    By Moxxy in forum Windows 7 Support
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-19-2010, 06:09 PM
  4. License Question
    By brianolo in forum Windows 7 Installation and Upgrade
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 11-17-2009, 02:55 PM
  5. Win XP Pro License + Win 7 Pro Upgrade = WIN ??
    By Paco Bedejo in forum Windows 7 Installation and Upgrade
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 10-22-2009, 01:58 PM

Visitors found this page by searching for:

Search engine data is still being processed!

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •