Windows 7 activation on two computers with the same key? - Hardware & Software

I know this isn't legally ok, but I'd rather not buy Windows 7 twice if I don't have to. Would I run into any issues if I did this?

It won't work. I've tried

Kinda defeats the purpose of the key if it worked on two computers.

[QUOTE=Lazor;27112832]I know this isn't legally ok[/QUOTE] You should have stopped right there and not even made this thread.

I'm using my friends key right now, so either it works or he just gave me his copy of windows 7 pro for free

You can normally perform multiple activations for a few times, but eventually, Microsoft will blacklist the key if it was used for an excess amount of times and/or have too many machines running Windows simultaneously

To be fair, Windows XP was made to let you activate one copy on two computers. If 7 was made to only let you activate it once, then it's not legal and I wouldn't expect it to work anyway.

[QUOTE=Splarg!;27119466]To be fair, Windows XP was made to let you activate one copy on two computers. If 7 was made to only let you activate it once, then it's not legal and I wouldn't expect it to work anyway.[/QUOTE] It might work. If one of the machines never touched the internet ever.

Mine works with the same key. :smug:

[QUOTE=Demache;27119682]It might work. If one of the machines never touched the internet ever.[/QUOTE] Are you saying that you can activate more than once but not use them at the same time? I always thought you simply could not activate on two different machines. And I think internet activation may be the only option now.

[QUOTE=SuperHoboMan;27116158]You should have stopped right there and not even made this thread.[/QUOTE] excuse me for not wanting to buy windows 7 twice just so i can use it on both my computers i guess it probably won't work so whatever

[QUOTE=B!N4RY;27119393]You can normally perform multiple activations for a few times, but eventually, Microsoft will blacklist the key if it was used for an excess amount of times and/or have too many machines running Windows simultaneously[/QUOTE] I always figured that it was based off that thingy Windows makes every couple of months or so based off your hardware.

[QUOTE=Lazor;27138783]excuse me for not wanting to buy windows 7 twice just so i can use it on both my computers i guess it probably won't work so whatever[/QUOTE] No, but you knew it was illegal, so why even ask? "Derp, I want Inception in HD, I know it's illegal but can you give me a download link, derp"

I'm planning on doing a clean install of 7 but I only have the one key I already used to install it. Do you guys think it'd work?

[QUOTE=GoDong-DK;27144612]No, but you knew it was illegal, so why even ask? "Derp, I want Inception in HD, I know it's illegal but can you give me a download link, derp"[/QUOTE] yeah, i'm sure all the leaked windows 7 builds you guys were downloading were totally legit

[QUOTE=Lazor;27138783]excuse me for not wanting to buy windows 7 twice just so i can use it on both my computers i guess it probably won't work so whatever[/QUOTE] Yes, you need two licenses and therefore keys (except it's an enterprise license) to install it on more than one PC. Everything else is illegal.

OP, it will only work it its enterprise edition with a valid volume license... [editline]5th January 2011[/editline] I can't remembers if Microsoft provides volume licenses for other builds... Brb googling... Got this : [url]http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee939271.aspx[/url] A few versions are covered.

You could always buy a year of Microsoft Technet and get a few copies of 7, along with office.

[QUOTE=Splarg!;27119788]Are you saying that you can activate more than once but not use them at the same time? I always thought you simply could not activate on two different machines. And I think internet activation may be the only option now.[/QUOTE] You can move it to a different machine yes but not two at the same time. OEM locks to the motherboard though but I heard that was changed?

How is it illegal if microsoft's own activation system allows it? [QUOTE=benjgvps;27247778]You could always buy a year of Microsoft Technet and get a few copies of 7, along with office.[/QUOTE] And each of those keys can be activated something like 10 times apiece (at once)

Once, my HDD died with win7 home premium installed and I simply installed the same original win7 home premium copy in a new HDD and it worked just fine, it's been 8 months since then and it's activated and all (perhaps because they sold me an OEM copy at the store)

How is it illegal, I've got 3 computers running on the same key all the time, No problems whatsoever.

Doesn't the Retail version allow installs to up to 3 different systems? I think the OEM version is limited to one system. I think I saw this on Newegg, but it looks like it's not in the descriptions anymore.

Microsoft has the exact terms for this lying around somewhere on their site.

All you need to do is phone-activate and tell them that you had to reformat because of a virus. Works every fucking time :D