How to Install Oem Version of Windows 7
Hello,
I'm building a new PC and I'm getting rid of my old hard drive which had my Windows 7 pre-installed in it when I bought my old PC.
I'm not in possession of any DVD or even product key.
How do I reinstall my version of Windows 7 on this new hard drive?
Thank you.
Hi,
Reinstalling OEM Windows 7 to new hard drive.
You are building a new machine and want to transfer the preinstalled OEM Windows 7 from your old PC to a new hard drive on the new machine you are building?
You can't do it.
You can only reinstall your OEM Windows 7 on to a new hard drive which you would put in your old machine.
If the Laptop/Computer came with the Windows Operating System preinstalled (Dell, HP, Acer, etc) , that Product Key that came with the Laptop/Computer is for the preinstalled OEM License and is non-transferable.
The OEM License/Product Key (preinstalled Operating Systems on Dell, HP, etc machines) is tied to the first machine it is installed on and dies when that machine dies.
The above rule also applies to OEM System Builders Licenses.
Retail Operating System License, that you buy and install yourself, are allowed to be transferred to another machine.
But Retail Licenses can also only be installed on one machine at any particular time.
___________________________________________________
And kindly read this please:
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en-gb/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/licensing_faq.aspx#fbid=cbW6pY-wjS6
Cheers.
___________________________________________________ Bill Smithers - Microsoft MVP July 2013 - Dec 2020
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Follow the steps here for Clean Install Windows 7 which results in the best possible install to the exact extent you stick with the steps given.
You'll need to buy a new license. I still see them on Amazon, Tiger Direct and New Egg. I would not buy from any less than a major retailer who backs their purchases - no eBay or 3rd party sellers.
But for the same or lesser price you can buy Windows 10 which is a much better OS and the future while Windows 7 is beginning to show its age badly - just the struggle to get Windows Updates to work requires special steps in the link that may not always work.
So I'd strongly consider doing a test Clean Install Windows 10 first and once you get it set up using the gold standard install in the link, you can decide if you want to buy a key from a major retailer or for about the same price here to make it easier: Windows 10 Home: Upgrade or Purchase - Microsoft Store
_________________ Windows MVP 2010-20 Millions helped via my tutorials and personally in forums for 12 years. Now an Independent Advisor. I do not quit for those who are polite and cooperative.
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You will need to purchase a new license, because the computer you had Windows 7 on is an OEM license.
OEM licenses are not transferable.
Because Windows 7 is in limited stock because Microsoft ended sales in October 2013, this has created demand because of its scarcity. This means retail boxed copies demand a premium, while OEM System Builder copies remain affordable.
Full version (Retail):
- Includes transfer rights to another computer.
- Doesn't require a previous qualifying version of Windows.
- Expensive
Upgrade version (Retail):
- Includes transfer rights to another computer.
- require a previous qualifying version of Windows.
- Expensive, but cheaper than full version
OEM System Builder version:
OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:
- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel
- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on
- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard
- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system
There is nothing wrong with using it too, especially since all future releases of Windows will be full versions anyway.
You can find OEM System Builder software from dozens of online merchants. The current price for OEM Windows 7 Professional at Newegg , for example, is $140. When I checked a few minutes ago, Amazon was offering OEM Windows 7 Professional packages from multiple sellers at prices ranging from $101 to $150. When I checked just now, a package specifically intended for refurbished PCs cost only $50 for a 64-bit copy .
There are no technical limitations to prevent you from using OEM software on your own PC, although this software will work only for a clean installation and not for an upgrade. In the past, Microsoft has been remarkably inconsistent in its advice to customers about whether this practice is allowed. (See " Is it OK to use OEM Windows on your own PC? Don't ask Microsoft .")
Best,
Andre
Windows Insider MVP
MVP-Windows and Devices for IT
twitter/adacosta
groovypost.com
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Follow the steps here for Clean Install Windows 7 which results in the best possible install to the exact extent you stick with the steps given.
You'll need to buy a new license. I still see them on Amazon, Tiger Direct and New Egg. I would not buy from any less than a major retailer who backs their purchases - no eBay or 3rd party sellers.
But for the same or lesser price you can buy Windows 10 which is a much better OS and the future while Windows 7 is beginning to show its age badly - just the struggle to get Windows Updates to work requires special steps in the link that may not always work.
So I'd strongly consider doing a test Clean Install Windows 10 first and once you get it set up using the gold standard install in the link, you can decide if you want to buy a key from a major retailer or for about the same price here to make it easier: Windows 10 Home: Upgrade or Purchase - Microsoft Store
Hello Greg,
I appreaciate your reply, but saying Windows 10 is better is just your opinion.
I had the chance, for months, for a free update to Windows 10 and I didn't take it, why do you think I'd take it now?
Just thought I could reformat my old one, and make a fresh install of my OS in the new hard drive but since I can't, I'll just transfer the whole hard drive info to my new one!
Thanks anyway!
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You are building a new machine and want to transfer the preinstalled OEM Windows 7 from your old PC to a new hard drive on the new machine you are building?
You can't do it.
You can only reinstall your OEM Windows 7 on to a new hard drive which you would put in your old machine.
If the Laptop/Computer came with the Windows Operating System preinstalled (Dell, HP, Acer, etc) , that Product Key that came with the Laptop/Computer is for the preinstalled OEM License and is non-transferable.
Wait a second you just contradicted yourself?
That means I can delete it from my old hard drive and install on a new hardrive, if I keep the old machine?
I don't get it...
So how do I do it then if I want to update my hard drive but keep it on my old machine?
Thank you in advance
Was this reply helpful?
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You are building a new machine and want to transfer the preinstalled OEM Windows 7 from your old PC to a new hard drive on the new machine you are building?
You can't do it.
You can only reinstall your OEM Windows 7 on to a new hard drive which you would put in your old machine.
If the Laptop/Computer came with the Windows Operating System preinstalled (Dell, HP, Acer, etc) , that Product Key that came with the Laptop/Computer is for the preinstalled OEM License and is non-transferable.
Wait a second you just contradicted yourself?
That means I can delete it from my old hard drive and install on a new hardrive, if I keep the old machine?
I don't get it...
So how do I do it then if I want to update my hard drive but keep it on my old machine?
Thank you in advance
Transferring an OEM License to a different machine and replacing a hard drive on an existing machine with an OEM preinstalled License on it are two completely different things
You can't transfer an OEM License to a different computer, which is what you wanted to do.
But in your old machine, you can replace Hardware, except for the Motherboard:
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en-gb/licensing/sblicensing/pages/licensing_faq.aspx#fbid=iePP5a9JaWJ
Q. If my customer asks me to upgrade a PC with new hardware components, when is a new operating system needed? When would the PC be considered "new"?
A. Generally, an end user can upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on a computer— except the motherboard—and still retain the licence for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created. Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred to the new computer, and the licence of new operating system software is required.
If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do not need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC as long as the replacement motherboard is the same make/model or the same manufacturer's replacement/equivalent, as defined by the manufacturer's warranty.
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But if you are now wanting to reinstall Windows 7 onto a new Hard Drive in the old machine you have a problem as you say that you haven't got the Product Key to do that.
I'm not in possession of any DVD or even product key.
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If you do have a Manufacturer's Recovery Partition on the old computer's hard drive and you can Boot into Windows on the old machine, you should be able to make your own Recovery Disks from it to reinstall the Operating System .
Look under Programs > your Computer Manufacturer's name > then their System Tools or Recovery Software Headings for them, depending how it is worded.
If you can not find any reference to it, contact the Manufacturer for advice on how to make those Recovery Disks.
Reinstalling by that method normally does not require you to input a Product Key as it should be re-activated during the recovery installation process.
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This is how we would normally advise doing a reinstall on a new hard drive, IF you have the COA Sticker with the Product Key:
You can borrow the exact same Retail Windows 7 Edition DVD and use your Product Key to reinstall.
Or you can use this for preinstalled or Retail Licenses
Download the correct ISO file and make your own disk and use the Product Key that is on the COA Sticker.
https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-iso-download-tool
And here are instructions on how to burn ISO images to disk:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/ISORecorder.html
Then do a clean install:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html
The COA sticker is either on the underside of the Laptop or in the Battery Compartment.
With a Desktop it is either on the side, rear or top of the Computer Case.
Using the downloaded ISO file Method may require phone Activation.
If it does require phone Activation, do not follow the Auto Prompts, but hold on for a real person to explain to as to what has been done for re-installation purposes
" How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone"
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html
The above method also will require you to go to your Computer Manufacturer's website > Support and Downloads Section > locate your Model Number and Operating System > then download and install the latest Drivers for it.
________________________________________________
Using the USB method in conjunction with the above Windows 7 download:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html
" How to Get and Use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool"
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html
Cheers.
___________________________________________________ Bill Smithers - Microsoft MVP July 2013 - Dec 2020
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I just said you can Clean Install Windows 7 . Please read the link to see how it is done. Over 2 million consumers have followed my various web tutorials to Clean Install Windows 7 and 10 without a single complaint, so it's more than just opinion. It's also the best install of Windows you can find.
But Windows 7 is old and not as adaptable as Windows 10, so you cannot just move it's hard drive to new hardware without using an adaptive restore CD to Adjust Win7 to boot on new hardware with Paragon Adaptive Restore CD. If you do the adaptive restore you'll still need to activate with a new license.
I also explained where you can buy a new license which you'll need for a
fresh install or to transfer your old install, if the old Windows 7 came preinstalled on its PC.
_________________ Windows MVP 2010-20 Millions helped via my tutorials and personally in forums for 12 years. Now an Independent Advisor. I do not quit for those who are polite and cooperative.
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I just said you can Clean Install Windows 7 . Please read the link to see how it is done. Over 2 million consumers have followed my various web tutorials to Clean Install Windows 7 and 10 without a single complaint, so it's more than just opinion. It's also the best install of Windows you can find.
But Windows 7 is old and not as adaptable as Windows 10, so you cannot just move it's hard drive to new hardware without using an adaptive restore CD to Adjust Win7 to boot on new hardware with Paragon Adaptive Restore CD. If you do the adaptive restore you'll still need to activate with a new license.
I also explained where you can buy a new license which you'll need for a
fresh install or to transfer your old install, if the old Windows 7 came preinstalled on its PC.
I just said you can Clean Install Windows 7 . Please read the link to see how it is done. Over 2 million consumers have followed my various web tutorials to Clean Install Windows 7 and 10 without a single complaint, so it's more than just opinion. It's also the best install of Windows you can find.
But Windows 7 is old and not as adaptable as Windows 10, so you cannot just move it's hard drive to new hardware without using an adaptive restore CD to Adjust Win7 to boot on new hardware with Paragon Adaptive Restore CD. If you do the adaptive restore you'll still need to activate with a new license.
I also explained where you can buy a new license which you'll need for a
fresh install or to transfer your old install, if the old Windows 7 came preinstalled on its PC.
Hello Greg,
The only problem is I don't have the sticker because I already changed cases.. I had to change because my PC was a HP Pavillion Slimline and the power source + gpu burned down one day and I had to replace them, since a new PSU wouldn't fit the Slimline case the guys at the repair shop repalced the case.
This was 5 years ago and I have no idea what they did to the old case, which has the sticker on it.
What else can I do?
Thank you.
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If you didn't ever Clean Install using that Windows 7 Factory OEM Product Key from the sticker, then it's probably lost. But if you ever did a Clean Install the key is probably still encrypted in the registry, and you might be able to retrieve it by attaching the drive as a slave to another PC already running Windows, or running the Adaptive Restore to boot the old Windows 7 on the new hardware, then following How To Recover Windows 7 8 Product Key From Unbootable Drive . But again, this will not work if you never reinstalled Windows 7 by inserting the COA sticker Product Key because the key used at factory is a batch key not useable for a Clean install.
If you get Windows 7 bootable on the new hardware then if you only changed the PSU and GPU it may not lose activation since that may not be enough of a hardware change to trigger the need to reactivate or to fail if you attempt to reactivate. Even if it does, I'd still attempt to refresh the hardware signature using phone activation, then if it fails there stay on the line to speak with an agent to explain what you did and they may reactivate based on agreeing that it isn't enough of a hardware change, or just do it anyway. To do this run slui 4, press Enter. follow instructions.
_________________ Windows MVP 2010-20 Millions helped via my tutorials and personally in forums for 12 years. Now an Independent Advisor. I do not quit for those who are polite and cooperative.
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How to Install Oem Version of Windows 7
Source: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/reinstalling-oem-windows-7-to-new-hard-drive/e62bce8b-5b25-4b88-bb28-e14ff58e12eb