Re-installation of the Windows 7 at a different machine

Question

Hi,
We are a small business with 15 licenses of Windows 7 (out of which we are using 12 Licenses as of now). Now one of the machine was having hardware issues and it crashed hence we have got a new machine in hand. If we install the Windows 7 with the key then
will it be counted as the 13th license activation ? and Is there a way that I can re-install it on a different machine without loosing another activation slot. Our intention is to run Windows 7 on 12 PCs and keep 3 licenses in hand for future use.

Answer 1

If I see in my Relationship summary than it shows "Parent Programme-Open"
Ok, so based on that description, it sounds like you have a Volume Licensing agreement, of the "Open" variety.
And, I'll assume that you purchased 15 x WindowsClientUpgrade, or, 15xWindowsClientSoftwareAssurance.
It's my understanding that you can assign, and re-assign (move) your 15 licenses whenever you need to, as long as you only ever have 15 computers (not more than 15) loaded with your entitlement at any one time.
Also, you can re-assign (move) an unlimited number of times (never exceeding 15 loaded machines at one time).
Also, you can only re-assign (move) a license every 90days (e.g. you can't move the same license every 30days).
The exception to this 90day limit, is if the hardware fails, you are permitted to move the license sooner than 90days.
Assuming you are using MAK product keys to activate your product, every time you activate an MAK product key, an activation "slot" is consumed, even if you re-activate upon exactly the same computer hardware.
For this reason, MS typically grant you slightly more MAK activations than your licensed quantity, this allows for re-imaging failed computers, or when you need to replace an old/failed computer.
If you do exhaust your total MAK activation quantity, you can request further activations from MS.
You can check the current status of your activation quantity in the VLSC website, it will show as:
Windows Client [version e.g. 7]: xx/yy
where xx is the quantity consumed by you, and, yy is the maximum quantity permitted {Activation Limit}.
When you reach the maximum permitted {Activation Limit}, your activations are exhausted, and you must contact MS to request further activations.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff793432.aspx#EXX
Don
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