How many time can you change the motherboard on a Windows 8 Pro OEM Retail CD-Key and use the same key?

Hi!, i just bought windows 8 pro OEM, and if i understand things correctly i can, reinstall windows how many times i want, but my question is, how many times can i change my hardware (like change motherboard / CPU) on the same key?

You can change your motherboard, move the license to a different computer if you wish. Windows 8 OEM includes flexible licensing allowing you make as many changes as you wish.

 

 

http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx,

"Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers. You may transfer Get Genuine Windows software, Pro Pack or Media Center Pack software only together with the licensed computer."

 

So i want to know, if i can reinstall windows how many times i want, even when i upgrade my pc? i know that i can only have 1 pc Active / license at the same time.

You can reinstall as many times as you like, but there is a likely possibility you might have to reactivate by telephone after the 5th time.

1) Press Windows key + R, then type:  slui.exe  4
 
2) Next press the 'ENTER' key
 
3) Select your 'Country' from the list.
 
4) Choose the 'Phone Activation' option.
 
5) Stay on the phone (do not select/press any options) and wait for a person to help you with activation.
 
6) Explain your problem clearly to the support person.
 
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929/en-us

I was looking into this same issue because i was told in this thread/blob, http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-windows_install/i-want-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-8-pro-on-a/f1b8c6a4-d8b3-4afc-99bc-dcf956ae83e0?page=2

that i can't use the same key if i replace the motherboard. i see in your quote of the agreement that it says the key can be used by another computer belonging to you but the motherboard issue is still grey. if this is the case then if the motherboard is changed i assume the OS needs to be reinstalled. is this correct?

Thanks for the response. From what you said it sounds like it'sa toss up whether installing a motherboard will allowed the key which we purchsed to use will be valid. there in lies my issue with the key usage. if we pay to use this licensed key we should be able to reuse it on a new computer whether that be a completely new box or a new motherboard/cpu in the same box reinstalling or repairing windows 8 pro. It says in the agreement that we can use the key on a new computer if we remove windows from the old computer. How would microsoft know right away that the OS was removed. I know that eventually that microsoft will see the key on multiple machines thru the updates but there shouldn't be any way of knowing in the same day so by the time an upgrade is done there should only be 1 key on 1 machine. I'm about to remove win 7 from my machine and install the oem version of windows 8 pro but i do want to upgrade my motherboard and cpu in the near future just not tomorrow so this is a concern to me. Can we get a definate answer on this or is this a best guess scenerio?

btw thanks for the reply. i do appreciate it

Bought Win8 Upgrade and installed over Win7. About a week after this I changed motherboard, CPU, Memory and HD to SSD. I had to completely reinstall using my iso image. During the installation I had to phone MS. The activation was carried out by an automated service asking me for the ten blocks of five letters each which were on my computer screen prior after try to reactivate. You have to enter the numbers a block at a time so pay attention and make sure that you get it right. The whole process is user friendly and mistakes can be corrected. However you might get a bit stressed out. If everything checks out, you will be given another ten blocks of five numbers to enter on you computer. You can ask for repeats and again correct errors. Finally press finish and your software will be reactivated. If you then add or re-add features such as Media Server to you PC your old key will not be accepted and you will have to go through the above process again. Before you start any of this process make sure that your phone is on speaker and you know where your * and # buttons are. If you write the final numbers down it might help but I don't think that they are reuseable and are generated each time by your imput. Any way "Have Fun" I did.

You can always re-use the upgrade version.  It will still need an installed /  activated older version before you re-apply the upgrade.  You still may have to activate the upgrade by phone, after the first activation.

No, the 5 times information is misleading!!  Microsoft only permits a purchase of 5 different upgrade licenses per Microsoft Store customer.