- Joined
- Jan 17, 2003
- Location
- Centennial, Colorado
Yeah you are right.
Basically like you said....
If you were to get an OEM copy of Windows apart from a Brand Name PC you can use the License Key up to 5 times (Win7) on unique machines until it locks out.
But, if you get a Brand Name computer the License key you get along with the computer is typically only for that specific PC.
Sometimes even the key is loaded into the recovery disk itself. I only know that because we ordered a few HP machines for the office.
Ya dell has the key included on the restore media as well. Also the last several win7 machines we've gotten here don't have to be activated, they seem to be activated already. Even if you reinstall with the recovery disc it didn't ask me to activate. Also, it does not perform any check as to what system it is in. Ive used Dell media to restore hp and Toshiba laptops before because that was what I had available. I then just manually reran activation to change the key to the one on the sticker but I didn't have to technically (legally is another matter) as it didn't complain in any way about the key.
@turbohans, there are instructions out there on how to copy the activation files to a computer when you reinstall, just google it. Note I am NOT saying this to circumvent M$s activation, just that it is possible to copy the activation from the same key.
@DaveHCYJ, yes that is the way it is worded. which means the loophole people use is as long as you keep one physical piece of hardware that was from the original computer, even if its just a SATA cable..., then you are within the EULA.
while there are limitations on reactivation before you have to call MS don't worry about it too much. I have never once been denied an activation when calling with a legitimate key. Just tell them whatever, reinstalled OS, upgrade, they don't really care they just want the extra check in their for their records. As long as you don't say something like you are reactivating so you can sell your PC to Korea to be used in an ICBM I don't think you will get any grief for it.