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entering an OEM key in a retail installation

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Hi,

I'm building two computers and want to only load SW once since it takes 2 days to get it all done. The first I have built with Win 7 Ult retail 64 bit.

For the second I want to clone the disc and then enter a new win 7 key, but this one is an oem build. Can I enter a new key that is OEM on a disc that has been set up originally with a retail windows key?

I really don't want to have to re-do the whole install again.

Not sure if this is the best forum to post this but seems like the closest.

Thanks.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011 5:15 AM

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This is not the best forum. You need to use sysprep. You cannot simply clone and then change the product key. There is more to this than just a product key. For a tutorial see:

http://theitbros.com/sysprep-a-windows-7-machine-%E2%80%93-start-to-finish

For a forum try:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-us/w7itproinstall/threads

It may be simpler just to do a traditional installation. Then you don't have to worry about security ids, product keys for software like Office and Creative Studio, etc. I assume you have a lot of this or it would not take two days. It takes me about eight hours to do a total build, but that includes updating on Windows update (and the computer does all the work anyway).
Colin Barnhorst Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on DIY with 6GB ram.
- Marked as answer by Carey FrischMVP, Moderator Wednesday, July 6, 2011 3:39 PM
Wednesday, July 6, 2011 1:18 PM

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