Inactivating Windows 7 key to be used on another computer

[SpiceLMF]

I wanted to know if there is a way to in-activate a Windows 7 key on a computer so that it can be used on another one.

Basically, I had found a deal on Windows 7 Home Premium a few months back, so ordered it and installed/activated it on my primary computer. Since then I found an equally good deal for Windows 7 Professional. Now obviously I'd prefer to put Pro on my primary computer and move the Home Premium to my secondary computer. I know though that generally windows licenses are 1 per computer and I'm not sure if activating will be a problem. I bought both OS'es as retail version legitimately and only plan to use one license per 1 comp, I just need a way to unlink the key or an assurance that I can activate it on another PC. I just don't want to wipe my secondary machine, upgrade it to w7 just to find the key won't work.

Also, I'm pretty sure with Vista you could install home premium and upgrade to professional but putting in the professional product key. Can this be done with W7 or do I have to do a full new installation?

Thanks!

[-pops-]

As this involves the complex licensing rules of Microsoft, it would be better if you contacted them directly. They are very helpful.

As I understand the situation, though, is that a full retail version of Windows can be moved to another computer provided it is removed from the first one.

[Guest kfawcett]

How did you order and install Windows 7 a few months back? It was not released to the general public until last week.

Here is a chart showing the upgrade paths to Windows 7

As long as you have retail versions for both, your licensing shouldn't be an issue.

You might even be able to get away with using the Windows Anytime Upgrade to move the first computer from Home Premium to Professional. What this means is you will only have to enter your new product key in order to unlock the features of the Professional edition. I haven't actually tried this moving from a full retail version to another full retail version, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. *perform at your own risk.

You should then be able to install the Home Premium version on the other computer. You shouldn't run into any license activation problems. If it doesn't activate just press the start button and type "slui.exe 4" and press enter. Select your country and this will give you the number to call.

[SpiceLMF]

How did you order and install Windows 7 a few months back? It was not released to the general public until last week.

Here is a chart showing the upgrade paths to Windows 7

As long as you have retail versions for both, your licensing shouldn't be an issue.

You might even be able to get away with using the Windows Anytime Upgrade to move the first computer from Home Premium to Professional. What this means is you will only have to enter your new product key in order to unlock the features of the Professional edition. I haven't actually tried this moving from a full retail version to another full retail version, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. *perform at your own risk.

You should then be able to install the Home Premium version on the other computer. You shouldn't run into any license activation problems. If it doesn't activate just press the start button and type "slui.exe 4" and press enter. Select your country and this will give you the number to call.

I pre-ordered it. I had the Release Candidate installed up until the proper release date when I was issued the home premium download & install key.

I've actually already resolved the issue. I didn't want to upgrade my primary computer to Professional until I was sure I could get the home premium installed on the other computer with no troubles. I ended up putting the home premium key on my second computer while my first still had it. As expected, it would not activate. I called the automated line and after punching in numbers, the automated line asked me how many computers this key would be used on, I replied one and the key activated with no problems. I was actually surprised to find that this didn't seem to inactivate the key on my primary computer but obviously I wouldn't keep it that way as I'm sure after sometime of use Microsoft would flag the key. At any rate once my secondary computer was sorted, I used the Windows Anytime Upgrade as you referenced to move my primary to Professional. I had a good bit of trouble with WAU because for some reason a restore point couldn't be created. After a bit troubleshooting & googling, i fixed the issue and updated with no additional problems.