Moving Windows key from one machine to another

[unix]

I want to de-register Windows 7 registration on one machine that no longer has it and move it another machine.  I installed Win7 on that new box but it's complaining about being unable to confirm the key.

[lorb]

That's a genuine advantage, aren't you excited?  Then genuine advantage of Windows 2000 and Linux is that I don't have to bother with that.

[Richardk]

Also that "genuine advantage" might lock the license to that box.

I recall a heated conversation with a person that bought into MS's licensing, hook, line and sinker while working at a company as their 'license compliance' person or some title like that. It seemed like her job was to buy as many licenses as possible since they were so restrictive and couldn't be transferred from box to box. It would have been easier and maybe cheaper to eliminate her position and just say 'new box, new software'.

[The Gorn]

What does the license permit?

The OEM license is the one that says that the software is tied to the newly built, resold box that it was originally installed on. Anecdotally I have read that you can make the case to MS successfully that the old machine no longer works and they will allow the OS to be activated on new hardware.

The OEM version of Windows 7 is the $149 one at TigerDirect. The retail version (which is not tied to one PC alone) is the $300 license.

A bundled version of Windows that came with a Dell or HP, you're most likely out of luck. I'm only talking about a separate product that was purchased  by a white box maker or by you.

You may have to call MS's 1-800 number and explain that your old PC was destroyed or the mainboard blew out, and you need to transfer the OS to a direct replacement. I've heard that this is what you tell them.

They may do this.

You probably can't do this with online activation, Unix, because it is probably not  a directly permitted operation. You may need to get on the horn.

[unix]

I got this version of Windows 7 Professional off Ebay. NIB but I suspect "gray market".  I paid somewhere between 100-150 for it.    Interestingly, the 64 bit disk was bad from the start.

I upgraded the laptop but when that machine got another OS installed on it, moved it to a desktop.

I will call the MS then at the 800 number. I wonder what the consequences are not of registering. Thus far I am getting the updates it seems.

[The Gorn]

I don't see why you did that. Windows 7 Pro OEM 64 bit, $149 through TigerDirect. Save $25 with some no name on Ebay? Eh.

Well, if you don't even know if the license is genuine or not, you're probably toast. It will be a matter of random luck then. Maybe you've been using a site license that somebody parted out on Ebay? Do you even know?

MS dislikes most ways that people have found to package up their commercial site licenses.

[The Gorn]

I read recently that Microsoft has a sort of "amnesty discount program" for people like you who unwittingly bought an improperly licensed copy of Windows. IIRC, they will offer the software to you legally at a substantial discount.

Google for it.