Not only because it's not allowed on MDL, nobody will give you a (genuine) working Win 7 Home Premium key...
I have stumbled across some HP laptops, as well as desktops, originally shipped with Vista that became compatible with Win 7 after downloading and installing a bios upgrade from the HP support site. The bios upgrade completely replaced a 2.0 slic with a 2.1 slic. Replacing the 2.0 slic with 2.1 would not break the activation on existing Vista machines, since HP reused the same certificate. So the OP could check for a bios upgrade if the oem query tool reports only a 2.0 slic.
Yes, I've come across that in my previous searches. However, as it states "This is an OEM version intended for Sytem Builders only" I've read numerous comments suggesting "Don't install OEM MS S/ware ..you'll get no support from Msoft ...always use Retail" Therefore, I'm not convinced that it's worth paying 56 pounds for it. Comments please from MDL users?
I'm not sure what your asking. I stated most windows 7 keys been sold on eBay are OEM or MSDN - both illegal to resell. I didn't say they would not work, just that they would not be "legal". And not been retail, won't get support from M$ - but that's no biggy as who uses it?
Mainstream support already ended for Windows 7 on Jan 13th 2015, so it does not matter because you can only get system builder versions now. You'll still get security updates until 2020....then it's all over for W7
OK. That is a something that I had not considered. Good point. So.. forgetting support from MS, which I agree with other comments in this thread is 'No Big Deal' .. I should have no problem if I .. 1. Take a full backup of the L/Top hard drive 2. Install a copy of OEM Win7 Home Premium using the same procedure as I would for a Retail copy. Everyone agreed??!! Sorry to 'labour' this. It's only because it's for a neighbour's machine. (if it was mine, I'd just get on and do it!!)
sounds good to me, in fact....with the ££££ you saved from not getting a retail version, use that to get a 250 gb SSD and install the OEM version of 7 onto that. Your friend will like the difference
OK Experienced MDL Gurus.. Assume a L/top is running a GENUINE Retail Windows7 has a hardware failure and the L/top is scrapped, dumped, destroyed or whatever. Question is: Can that same valid Product Key be reused on another PC provided that is a RETAIL (not OEM) key?
For retail versions, you can use Windows 7 in more than one pc but you must remove Windows 7 from the pc the your replacing For OEM (builders version), the license is tied to the motherboard, once it dies, so does the license (technically speaking). Sometimes you can get around that if the new board has the same chipset, but it does violate Microsoft's EULA. Windows 7 only has a 3.75 yr life span left
Thanks to everyone who gave many helpful answers in this thread My final question (and then I will leave you all in peace!!)... Does anybody have a RETAIL Win7 key that is no longer used as the original PC was defective? I am willing to purchase it from you. I am not happy that I should use an OEM key for my neighbour's Laptop. PM me if you wish.
" Unfair Terms of Contract " .... in many jurisdictions there is a legal principle :- A contract which contains unfair T&Cs is ipso facto invalid , and has no standing in law , regardless of what was signed . Or to put it another way .... it is impossible to sign-away your fundamental legal rights in such jurisdictions . In my personal opinion the W10 EULA may fall into that category. OK - it's a little off-topic We are talking about a W7 License issue here ; but since MS started hiding W10 Nagware inside W7 updates , and in some cases , auto-installing W10 without user consent , we are in uncharted waters legally. On the technical aspect of the Product Key/ License being tied to the motherboard , everything that Joe C said is totally correct , IMO. There are some easy workarounds to soufender's problem , and a search on this forum will quickly find them. I neither suggest nor endorse such methods ...... ...
A big yes to that Joe C ! And the other side of that coin .... .... What M$ thinks has no meaning to ME !