Forum Discussion
A question, for those in the know, regarding using Windows 7 on a second computer when "connected" to the first one.
I have an older Dell E521 on which I would like to install Windows 7 Pro. It's an upgrade version to be used over Windows Vista, but done with a clean install.
Here's the possible problem. The product key of the W7 Pro in question was originally installed on the desktop I am on now, originally installed over Windows Vista, which I borrowed from the Dell so I could have something to use for the upgrade to W7 Pro. I never activated the Vista on my present computer and it was only on here for about fifteen minutes.
I then upgraded to W8 Pro, from a disk, and again a clean install, then to W8.1 Pro, using the online method, and then to the W10 Pro I am presently using, again doing it online.
I would like to use the Windows 7 Pro disk and product key to upgrade the Windows Vista on the Dell so I can donate it. What I'm wondering is if it will work, due to the Windows 7 Pro product key technically being connected to the computer I'm on now. I hope this makes sense.
Any ideas? Do you think it will work? I just don't want to donate something that is practically worthless because of a VERY outdated OS. In the end, if it won't work, I'll put LinuxMint on it, but the Windows 7 would be so much better. I want to find a way to make something work as I don't want to just toss it in the junk pile when so many families around here can't afford a computer for their kids.
Thanks for the help.
- That's a good idea, but for this it wouldn't work due to the Windows 7 product key only being used in Microsoft's records. There's really no W7 product key on this computer due to the three successive upgrades with clean installs. Technically the only way I could disassociate W7 from this computer is if I purchased and installed a full copy of Windows 10 on it and that W10 would stand alone. That way the Windows 7 key this was all built on would no longer be in use. It's kind of like Jenga. I can't remove the bottom piece (Windows 7 product key) without having the whole thing come down.
- If you used the product key for the first upgrade.. The Original key is still tied to your current system.. if you were to reactivate windows 7 it could deactivate the key on your current system during a random activation check. say you had w7, then upgraded to 10. then put w7 on another system.. it would deactivate your windows 10 system.
. - Right. That's why I'm not going to do it and I'm going to use the LinuxMint instead. I don't want it to interrupt the system I'm using.
- I hit the Like button, but it wouldn't click.
Sometimes it takes a little bit for it to catch up, but it worked. Thank you for the like.
