Can I use the windows key again

[2034d9]

So I have two computers, I built one myself and one that i bought, the one bought i don't use anymore as it is broken and am going to throw it away. Both computers run the same windows operating system, and obviously, I have 2 valid windows 7 product keys, one for each PC. Now I am going to build another computer, and was wondering, seeing how I still have the windows 7 installation disc, can I install it on again my new computer that I'm building and then use the product key on the broken PC that I'm going to throw away, would that work, plus I'm pretty sure it's legal (if it does work) as I should of paid for the license when buying the computer.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

If it's an OEM licence then, no, you cannot reuse the key elsewhere. The OEM licence is tied to the first motherboard it is installed on and cannot be transferred. You may only transfer a retail licence. Prebuilts are 99% OEM.

 

[Wolfshadw]

Just for clarification, you may have bought the computer, but you leased the Windows license. That lease expired when the computer did.

-Wolf sends

 

[2034d9]

If it's an OEM licence then, no, you cannot reuse the key elsewhere. The OEM licence is tied to the first motherboard it is installed on and cannot be transferred. You may only transfer a retail licence. Prebuilts are 99% OEM.

The prebuilt one had to get it's operating system reinstalled, the person who installed it used his own disc which I'm not sure if its an OEM, but after I just re-entered its own product key located on the PC back in, yeah it's on the same mother board, but would this change anything about the situation?

 

[Wolfshadw]

Nope. Doesn't change anything. The product key on the sticker attached to the pre-built is an OEM product key and cannot be transferred.

-Wolf sends