Hardware locked or not? Is this System Builder license locked to a single PC (i.e. motherboard) or can be activated on another PC configuration after upgrade?On Stack Exchange people say that it is locked (i.e. one license for one PC, locked forever). On MS and Amazon there is no info (or it is hidden really well). Hardware locked or not? Is this System Builder license locked to a single PC (i.e. motherboard) or can be activated on another PC configuration after upgrade?On Stack Exchange people say that... » Read More Hardware locked or not? Is this System Builder license locked to a single PC (i.e. motherboard) or can be activated on another PC configuration after upgrade?On Stack Exchange people say that it is locked (i.e. one license for one PC, locked forever). On MS and Amazon there is no info (or it is hidden really well). « Show Less
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According to Microsoft's website: "With the System Builder version, much like the copies provided with new computers, a Windows installation is limited to a single machine." However, based on the experience of commentor extreme_dig_cm, Microsoft apparently is much more lenient in license transferral with the System Builder version than with copies provided with new computers.
360954
I've run into this issue when switching to another computer and trying to transfer my MS-Office License over. The key that you have will say that it has already been activated, but all you need to do is call the phone number that is provided, and an automated voice will ask you a few questions like "Is this the only PC that you are installing MS-Office on?" and then it will give you a code to enter (along with your key) which will then allow you to install it. Hope it's not to late for this answer.
1535644
Your license would cover any number users on one computer. You can also install it on a second computer, provided it is for one of the original users and isn't used at the same time as the original installation.
1388110
Windows 8.1 is a great OS. Pretty much works the same as 7, but much better with new hardware. It is very stable and fast, and all the hardware works very well with it. With an SSD drive on my new system, Windows 8.1 boots in <3 seconds! It has never crashed!That said, System Builder OEM is for 'New' installations and will not 'upgrade' over your existing PC running Windows 7. Personally, clean installs are the way to go anyway...then reinstall the applications/games you want on it. If you don't have an SSD drive, buy one and put Windows 8.1 on it. You won't be disappointed!!!!
98748
No you cannot. You must have one unique (paid for) Product Key for each machine you want to install Windows 7 on. The System Builder DVD gives you one product key good for one machine only. You can buy additional licenses, however. I don't know the details of how to use or take advantage of Microsoft's "Volume Licensing". I don't install Microsoft Operating Systems in large enough volume to justify the cost of a volume license. However the idea is you get one product key per machine -- something like that. What you can be sure of is that if you install a Microsoft Operating System from a DVD, be prepared to type in a unique, paid-for product key for each machine you install on. You can browse http://www.microsoft.com/oem to get more information about their System Builder program, including the licensing.
131953
You meant to ask, if it is1- OEM for builders2- Retail VersionAnswer is "1" the OEM Retail versions are bought only to attain some pathetic and useless Microsoft support incident.
1032000
I have never tried to install on more then 1 machine but my understanding is that the license is only for one machine at a time.
736710
Thanks Terence!This is exactly the info I was looking for! One more question, do you know if the copy of Windows 7 that is factory-installed comes already activated or do you have to activate it on first-boot? If I am to replace the hard drive with a new one (that being the only change) I don't want to face potential activation lock-out because Microsoft thinks I'm trying to install it on an entirely different machine.
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It comes with a license that can be installed on 2 computers. If you want to move it to another computer, you need to inactivate it from one of the computers. I had a hard drive fail and to reinstall it on the new computer, called customer service and they were very helpful in resetting the license
824807
You can use either version. OEM versions are locked to your system configuration (the motherboard and CPU you are running) once installed; they cannot be transferred or used on any other build, which is why they are cheaper. Full retail versions of Windows 8 and 8.1 may only be used on 1 PC at a time, but may be deactivated and reactivated on a new or other build. Short answer: If you think a motherboard or CPU upgrade is possible in the future and don't want to buy 2 copies of Windows, get the retail version. Otherwise, you'll be fine with an OEM copy.
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Windows 8 can be transferred to new hardware; it just needs to be re-activated. Here's my recent experience... I did a clean install of Windows 8 64-bit System Builder on a dated computer. Everything worked great- I was happy. I then successfully activated Windows 8. About a month later I decided that I wanted to build an almost entirely new system. I bought a new mainboard, processor & memory combination. I then took my original hard drive with Windows 8 already installed & activated on it, and I connected it to the newer components I assembled. Everything worked great- I was happy. Except Windows 8 needed to be re-activated. I tried re-activating by Internet and was instructed onscreen to activate by phone instead. I called the phone number displayed and was immediately connected to an automated telephone system. The automated voice asked me to read aloud 5 or 6 sets of numbers which were on my screen, or I could use the phone keypad to enter in the same information. I elected to read the sets of numbers aloud, and Microsoft's automated system accepted this information without any problems. I believe it was at this time that the automated voice asked me how many computers I had installed this on. I said "one" and the automated system affirmed that answer. The system then said it would give me 5 or 6 sets of brand new numbers which I would need to type into my system. This is all done on the same screen within Windows 8 on which I had originally tried to re-activate. The automated voice stated the numbers clearly and I typed them into their respective entries onscreen. The voice then affirmed that Windows 8 was now activated. That's it! In this situation, I didn't need to speak with an actual person, but some situations may require speaking directly to a Microsoft Customer Service Rep. I'm not certain how many times this procedure can be easily repeated. I'm thinking about switching to a solid state drive in the near future. I'm guessing I might need to re-activate Windows 8 again when I do. I hope this helps!
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Technically yes. However, the License is good for one PC and one installation, however you can perform an inplace repair installation (by using the upgrade option) by launching the setup program via the installation media from within Windows 7, and if you need to completely reinstall the operating system (where you might re-format the Hard Drive) despite it being activated a phone call to Microsoft's Activation hotline may allow you to use the key again as long as it's on the same computer. They're usually pretty helpful if something goes wrong with your 1st attempt at installing their software. Technically yes. However, the License is good for one PC and one installation, however you can perform an inplace repair installation (by using the upgrade option) by launching the setup program via the installation media from within Windows 7, and if you need to completely reinstall the operating system (where you might re-format the Hard Drive) despite it being activated a phone call to Microsoft's Activation hotline may allow you to use the key again as long as it's on the same computer. They're usually pretty helpful if something goes wrong with your 1st attempt at installing their... » Read More Technically yes. However, the License is good for one PC and one installation, however you can perform an inplace repair installation (by using the upgrade option) by launching the setup program via the installation media from within Windows 7, and if you need to completely reinstall the operating system (where you might re-format the Hard Drive) despite it being activated a phone call to Microsoft's Activation hotline may allow you to use the key again as long as it's on the same computer. They're usually pretty helpful if something goes wrong with your 1st attempt at installing their software. « Show Less
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Hi I have this registered in US but active on computers in several EU countries for my family. I have 2 * 3 PC licenses, used to have 3. Don't see why should not work in Australia.
610586
I believe this upgrade is a single user license (it says so on my box) but you should check with Microsoft.
853518
With only two PCs to log into the Server you won't need them. Also this particular License Pack is only useable if YOU are building the Windows 2012 server. They are not keys you can add after the initial build (eg they can't be used with a server you are buying from Dell, HP, etc.)
487795
I would say as long as you uninstall from the old PC, then you should be perfectly ok to install on a new PC. I'm pretty close to needing a new computer, so I'm going to test down the road. If not, I will just purchase a new license. Thank you.
487689
Check for a mother board that has the ability to unlock cores. This chip is.a dual core but 1 is disabled by the manufacturer. This way they sell the same chip as 2 products. Buy this, unlock, and you have the more expensive dual core for the single core price.