Can I use my OEM Windows 7 disc with any COA?

[Guest]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if I could use my OEM Windows 7 disc, but then just use any COA with it on an old computer that has had windows uninstalled.

Many thanks,
AKNerd

 

[ktolo]

OEM copies of windows, when activated, record the hardware configuration of the computer. If the 2nd computer is close, in terms of hardware, then it might work using a valid OEM code.. It won't work if the OEM code was used on an intel machine and you try to activate windows on a AMD machine for example.
It's probably stricter than that.. but that will give you some idea.

An OEM code is supposed to live and die with the computer it was activated on.. hence for OEM's.

 

[DiegoD]

The windows 7 disk is just a load of windows. The disk itself contains no license info what so ever. The need of a COA only comes after the download of windows. So to answer your question, yes, the disk will work on another computer as long as you use a separate code.

 

[Guest]

Where can I get a seperate code? I'm building a new computer and don't want to have to splash out a new windows copy.

 

[DiegoD]

Where can I get a seperate code? I'm building a new computer and don't want to have to splash out a new windows copy.

Well as long as you no longer plan on using your other computer you can use its code. But only if you don't plan on ever using that PC again. If this isn't the case then you can buy windows 7 and 8 licenses on amazon, Newegg, eBay pretty much any online retailer.

I do know that Windows 10 has been given away for free. People using pirated copies of windows were still able to upgrade to windows 10. You may be able to install windows 7 let the activation period expire and then install windows 10, but, I am not for sure.

 

[Guest]

So what you're saying is, is that I could uninstall Windows 7 on my PC and use its code for a new build?

 

[DiegoD]

So what you're saying is, is that I could uninstall Windows 7 on my PC and use its code for a new build?

As long as you no longer wish to use the old PC, yes.

 

[hang-the-9]

Note that re-use of Windows 7 license codes on a different computer is only valid for Retail copies of Windows, not the OEM versions that come with new computers.