URGENT: Do i need a code or cd?

[Heeinz]

I bought a prebuilt pc last year, with windows 8 installed on it. I didn't get a code or cd with it. Now I'm going to build a new pc but i'm going to keep the CPU, RAM and the hard drive with the OS on it.

So when I've built the pc, and turn it on, will it just have no Windows on it and do I need to use a cd to install Windows, or will it ask me to insert a serial code?

 

[mudpuppet]

It will probably ask for both. If you have a legit copy, you can download the .iso from Microsoft's site and burn it to a CD or USB. it escapes me at the moment but there should be something you can download to tell you what your product key is for that copy of windows. That would give you everything you should need to install it on a new drive though Microsoft will tell you that you need to make sure to uninstall/deauthorize the key from your old HDD.

 

[basroil]

If you have the same motherboard, CPU, and boot disk, it's "the same computer" for the purposes of Windows. It will certainly work without any issues. If you want to reformat while you are at it, follow the instructions at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media and you can reformat it.

If you change the motherboard though, you'll need a new license. You can buy the license as a key and then use the above link to install.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

No you cannot.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2477911/transfer-pre-installed-win8-oem-license.html

For a preinstalled , the license key is embedded into the motherboard. You cannot use that license on another PC.

If it was a Win 8.1 OS that you bought and you installed, then yes.

Read the MS licensing here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/IntellectualProper...