operating system

Soldato
Joined
10 Oct 2005
Posts
8,706
Location
Nottingham
do you have to buy a new version of windows for every new pc build...im guessing you do but hoping you dont

If you are just reinstalling on to the same hardware then you can use the same key again and again without issues.

If you have a retail copy of the OS, i.e. not OEM, then you can move it between systems but you need to uninstall it off the old hardware before installing it onto the new hardware, i.e. it must only be installed on one system at a time.

If you have an oem copy of the OS then it is only licensed to be used on the PC which you originally installed it onto. You can upgrade all parts of that machine except for the motherboard. If you replace the motherboard, unless it is a proper RMA like for like replacement not an upgrade, then the system is classed as a new PC and the oem copy of the OS is no longer licensed and you must purchase a new copy.

People will tell you not to worry and that you can just install it again on new hardware and it will either activiate or you can phone up and get it activated. Whilst this may well be the case this does not mean that you are licensed to use the oem OS any more as you are in breach of the license agreement. In that case you are about as legit as if you'd just downloaded a dodgy copy in the first place.

I suggest that you do a search and read through some threads in the Windows sub-forum where this has been covered again and again many times.
 
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