[David77]

I've googled this question and cannot seem to see a solid answer on my question and I'm hoping someone can answer it for me.

I have 2 hard drives. I toggle between either HD with a switch control for security purposes where I use one HD for more secure financial uses and the other for everyday less secure use that doesn't require as much security.

I bought Windows 7 Ultimate and have installed it on to the HD I use as a secure drive. I already have Windows 7 Ultimate on my "everyday drive" but the trial period of the OS is over and it was not installed by the purchased OS i bought.

What I want to do is install the OS i bought onto my everyday HD, activate it and all that and still be able to switch between HD's.

My question is, will I run into problems with microsoft seeing it has one operating system being shared or does Microsoft identify something on the motherboard to know if its the same computer and therefore it's ok to run the exact same operating system that was activated on both HD's?

Any clarification on this would be a great help.

Edited by David77, 01 December 2013 - 08:40 AM.

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David77

In the case of an OEM licence as long as the OS is the exact same eg 64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate and the product key remains in use on the same computer/MB as it was registered with you are fine, the OS is tied to the MB not the HDD.

To update/change your product key

Edited by phillpower2, 01 December 2013 - 09:27 AM.
Link added

[phillpower2]

David77

In the case of an OEM licence as long as the OS is the exact same eg 64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate and the product key remains in use on the same computer/MB as it was registered with you are fine, the OS is tied to the MB not the HDD.

To update/change your product key

Edited by phillpower2, 01 December 2013 - 09:27 AM.
Link added

[David77]

Thank you for the welcome phillpower2 and thank you for the response! I appreciate it greatly. I was hoping it identified the motherboard and not the HD. I didn't want to have to shell out more money for a second operating system if I didn't need to. Thanks once again

[phillpower2]

You are most welcome on both counts David77

Once you have changed the product key on the boot device you will effectively have a back up of the OS on the HDD that you have identified as your secure HDD, you may however wish to consider changing the product key, checking for and installing any important updates and then creating a back up image of the boot OS using Macrium Reflect (free), please note that you must only boot up from the same HDD in the future so as to avoid possible conflicts caused by the second OS not being fully updated.