#Windows 7 validation check install#
#Windows 7 validation check upgrade#
#Windows 7 validation check Pc#
#Windows 7 validation check license#

#Windows 7 validation check license#

This is all the way it's supposed to work, according to the Windows license agreement.

#Windows 7 validation check Pc#

This isn't technically allowed via Microsoft's license agreement, but if you do buy such a box, you won't be allowed to move it to a new PC after installing it on a PC. Many online stores seem to sell OEM copies of Windows in boxes. Even if you have a retail copy, you'll want to ensure it's only installed on one computer at a time. For example, if your computer is non-genuine because you've attempted to move a hard drive containing an OEM copy of Windows to an entirely new computer, Microsoft won't help you make that copy of Windows genuine again. It's important to understand these limitations. That means you'd have to uninstall the old copy of Windows before you moved it to a new computer. A retail copy of Windows can be moved to a new computer, but you're only allowed to use that copy of Windows on a single computer at a time.

Retail Copy: If you purchased a boxed copy of Windows, it's likely a retail copy.

#Windows 7 validation check upgrade#

While you're free to upgrade a PC's hardware components or replace a failing hard drive, you can't move your OEM copy to a new computer. An OEM copy is tied to a specific computer and can't be moved to a new computer.

OEM Copy: If your computer came with Windows, it likely has an OEM copy.

This will depend on whether you have an OEM ( Original Equipment Manufacturer) or retail copy of Windows installed on your computer.

In some cases, changing a single component - like imaging a failing hard drive, replacing the hard drive, and then re-imaging your copy of Windows to that hard drive - may result in Windows becoming non-genuine.Д«efore you continue, it's important to bear in mind what's allowed and what isn't. Changing a single component or even two components may be fine, but changing several components may upset Windows.

Microsoft doesn't spell out the exact hardware changes that can cause a Windows PC to become non-genuine, but we know that changing the following hardware components can cause this: The motherboard and CPU, hard drive, network card, graphics card, and RAM. What if you change the motherboard, CPU, memory, and everything but the hard drive? Where exactly do you draw the line between the old computer and a new computer? What about the motherboard and CPU? Maybe. Is your computer still the same computer if you change its graphics card? Sure, probably. This sounds simple, but, in reality, it's hard to define exactly what a single computer is. Windows becomes non-genuine after some hardware changes to prevent you from taking a copy of Windows tied to one computer's hardware and move it to a new computer. You're allowed to make certain hardware changes under the Windows license agreement, but even making allowed hardware changes may turn your copy of Windows into a 'non-genuine' copy that requires reactivation with Microsoft. If you change your hardware later, your copy of Windows may become 'non-genuine,' turn your desktop background black, and start pestering you to use a genuine version of Windows.

#Windows 7 validation check install#

Even if you purchase a retail, boxed copy of Windows and install it, that copy of Windows will become tied to your hardware after it activates itself with Microsoft.

It's an OEM copy, which means it can only be used on that computer. When you purchase a computer that comes with Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows 8, that copy of Windows is tied to your computer's hardware.