Windows on multiple computers

[TacoMike]

I bought a laptop a few years back with windows 7 64 bit already installed and I am now building another computer, but I do not want to pay for Windows again, but i do have my windows recovery disks from when I reset my laptop. Can I put those into my OS-less desktop and get Windows 7? If not, can I type in a code or something to get Windows 7 again?

 

[Hawkeye22]

The laptop has an OEM version of Windows, thus the license is tied to the motherboard. You will need to purchase a new copy.

 

[hang-the-9]

Cheapest way to get Windows 7 is the OEM versions, Newegg and others sell them. The catch is that there is no MS support for it (not a big deal really) and that you can't move it to another computer in the future and if you do a lot of upgrades you will have to contact MS to re-activate it, which they should allow but may not. OEM versions are for systems that do not get changed.

 

[USAFRet]

No, you can't use the Windows install (or license) from the laptop on a new PC.