Almost one year ago, on Boxing Day, I purchased a laptop with Vista pre-installed. I opted for the Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade. I was given the physical upgrade disks used on my laptop from the PC technician who did it for me. I ran into some problems with this laptop recently, and sent it to be repaired. After some time, I was told that they would replace my laptop because parts simply were not available. Consequently, my previous laptop was to be destroyed. Now, my question is, can I use the Windows 7 Home Premium "Service Desk Upgrade" Disks and the Activation Key again, to upgrade my sister's desktop computer, running Vista pre-installed?

Not legally. The activation key you used is an OEM key and in accordance with Microsoft's license agreement it is tied to your system forever , even after death.Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

I don't think its OEM, because Vista was pre-installed. It was upgraded to Windows 7 after. The discs even have their own barcode on the packaging, leading me to believe that it is retail. Furthermore, the License Terms for Windows 7 Home Premium, number 17 subsection A states I may transfer the software to another computer, this computer becomes the Licensed Computer; for my own use. In no way will I be sharing the license with any other computer.

It's OEM if you obtained the upgrade discs from the same company that sold you the laptop with Vista installed. It would only be Retail if you purchased the upgrade from Microsoft or a retail store selling the upgrade. You state originally you purchased the laptop with Vista and opted for the Win 7 upgrade. 99.9% of the time this is an OEM upgrade.Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

I'm sorry, I should have mentioned that I purchased the laptop from Future Shop. The upgrade was done there. Again, my apologies.

Then you need to check with Future Shop as to whether your upgrade is Retail or OEM. Since Future Shop sells brand name computers you could have either and there is where you need to find out which you have.Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

On Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:02:00 +0000, bdimaya.o9 wrote: I don't think its OEM, because Vista was pre-installed. It was upgraded to Windows 7 after. The discs even have their own barcode on the packaging, leading me to believe that it is retail. An upgrade is retail, not OEM. OEM versions can only do clean installations. So your Vista, if it came pre-installed, was OEM, but your Windows 7 is retail. Furthermore, the License Terms for Windows 7 Home Premium, number 17 subsection A states I may transfer the software to another computer, this computer becomes the Licensed Computer; for my own use. In no way will I be sharing the license with any other computer. That further makes it clear that what you have is retail. OEM versions may not be transferred to another computer. Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP

Thank you both Rick Dee & K Blake; your responses have definitely shed light on my question. Consider it answered. :)

On Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:54:14 +0000, bdimaya.o9 wrote: > Thank you both Rick Dee & K Blake; your responses have definitely shed light on my question. Consider it answered. :) You're welcome. Glad to help. Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP