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I have installed Windows 8 Pro onto laptop 1 from a CD purchased at a store. I entered the CD key on Laptop 1.

Now laptop1 is out of commission, and I want to move my Windows 8 Pro license from dead laptop1 to fresh new shiny I7 laptop2.

I have installed Windows 8 Pro onto shiny laptop2, and then entered the CD key into the Windows activation feature screen, which changed the initially installed from CD version to Windows 8 Pro.

But the computer is saying it is not licensed - telling me to activate with a different key or buy a new one.

I just want to use the same activation key on the new computer as the old one.

Does anyone know how to deactivate Windows on dead laptop1 and use the key again on shiny laptop2?

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    The only solution that won't cost more money is to contact Microsoft and explain the problem to them. makeuseof.com/tag/remove-windows-activation-install-computer
    – Ian Atkin
    Dec 2, 2012 at 23:24
  • @IanAtkin why didnt you make this an aswer, i will accept it casue i am on the line with microsquish right now. using your help.
    – jordan
    Dec 2, 2012 at 23:53
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    I have now. :) And you don't need to buy anything more from Microsoft. I've done this in the past and it worked out okay.
    – Ian Atkin
    Dec 3, 2012 at 0:01
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    You may be able to simply install Windows 8 on another computer and use automated activation on the phone. Activation via phone also falls into contacting Microsoft category though. If you have a non-OEM license, you can move the license (and installation) to another computer. Dec 3, 2012 at 10:20
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    @AlexeyIvanov yea that is exactly what i ended up doing! worked like a long depressing dream. had to call them three times casue there automated nu ber reading system is terrible.
    – jordan
    Dec 3, 2012 at 16:19

1 Answer 1

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The only solution that won't cost more money is to contact Microsoft and explain the problem to them.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/remove-windows-activation-install-computer/

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