[Dpak]

Right I'm sorry if this has been asked before, I'm just new to installing operating systems and have never installed one before.

I am going to make a new computer soon enough, and I'm going to buy a 3 serial key box of windows 7 home premium.

I would use one of these keys to install windows 7 on the new computer that I'm going to make.

Maybe in the future if I were to get viruses or spyware or something to bugger up the computer and I wanted to re-install windows 7 and start from scratch, would I be able to re-use the same key that I used the first time or would I have to use one of the other two serial keys to re-install windows 7?

 

[lsudvm]

Quote:

would I be able to re-use the same key that I used the first time

yes you can use the same key without issue. Tho' if you reinstall you will have to reactivate W7.

 

[TwoCables]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dpak Right I'm sorry if this has been asked before, I'm just new to installing operating systems and have never installed one before. I am going to make a new computer soon enough, and I'm going to buy a 3 serial key box of windows 7 home premium. I would use one of these keys to install windows 7 on the new computer that I'm going to make. Maybe in the future if I were to get viruses or spyware or something to bugger up the computer and I wanted to re-install windows 7 and start from scratch, would I be able to re-use the same key that I used the first time or would I have to use one of the other two serial keys to re-install windows 7?

Fortunately, you will most definitely be able to re-use the key. You should be able to re-use the key on the same computer as many times as you want. But after a few times it will say that you've exceeded the amount of times you can use it or something like that, and then it'll prompt you to call. So then all you have to do is call and use their automated system. But after you've used the automated system a few times, you'll have to actually talk to somebody. But this is just as painless. But regardless, you can re-install it on the same computer as often as you want with the same Product Key.

If it's Retail and not OEM, then you can also retire a system, build a new one and use that Product Key on the new system.

 

[Dpak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsudvm yes you can use the same key without issue. Tho' if you reinstall you will have to reactivate W7.

When you say reactivate, you just mean entering the key again?

 

[TwoCables]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dpak When you say reactivate, you just mean entering the key again?

That's different. Activation is what you do once you've already entered the Product Key.

 

[Dpak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoCables Fortunately, you will most definitely be able to re-use the key. You should be able to re-use the key on the same computer as many times as you want. But after a few times it will say that you've exceeded the amount of times you can use it or something like that, and then it'll prompt you to call. So then all you have to do is call and use their automated system. But after you've used the automated system a few times, you'll have to actually talk to somebody. But this is just as painless. But regardless, you can re-install it on the same computer as often as you want with the same Product Key. If it's Retail and not OEM, then you can also retire a system, build a new one and use that Product Key on the new system.

Wow, +1 rep for adding so much info ;D

Thanks a lot ^^

 

[TwoCables]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dpak Wow, +1 rep for adding so much info ;D Thanks a lot ^^

You're welcome. And that's only from my experience. Your experience may vary slightly, but it will be roughly the same.

 

[Fletcher Carnaby]

Yah, enter the key and let it register activate with MS. No big deal.

If you reinstall a bunch of times on the same machine you eventually need to do the register activate by phone thing, but its shockingly painless.

 

[TwoCables]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fletcher Carnaby Yah, enter the key and let it register with MS. No big deal. If you reinstall a bunch of times on the same machine you eventually need to do the register by phone thing, but its shockingly painless.

Careful, though: registering and activating are 2 different things. I know you know, but not everyone does.

 

[Dpak]

Well that's alright then, I probably wouldn't be reinstalling windows 7 so much anyways,
it's just for a backup and if anything goes wrong with the new sytem I'm going to build.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Fletcher Carnaby]

Ah, quite true. I meant to say "activate". (here's hoping hope the rest of my day is sharper)

@Dpak: good luck, post back as needed!