Using already downloaded Windows 7(currently on a PC) to use for Parallels on a Macbook Pro

[Harry_15]

I want to use windows 7 which is already dowloaded on a pc (with product key) to use for my Macbook Pro, but it says this when on the Microsoft website "

Error

The product key you entered appears to be for software pre-installed by the device manufacturer. Please contact the device manufacturer for software recovery options." 

? Can anyone help please?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

What you want to do would violate the Microsoft Windows licensing terms, so no one here will be able to help you with that.

The product key you entered is an OEM product key.  You need a full retail version of a windows product key in order to download the Windows 7 software.

OEM versions of Windows cannot be transferred or used on another PC.

Please see the Microsoft OEM licencing terms regarding use of Windows OEM software.

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/licensing_faq.aspx#fbid=q7CEbN2yHpJ

Q. Can my customers transfer or sell their OEM software licenses?

A. After an OEM software license has been installed on a PC, the license may not be installed on or transferred to another PC. However, the entire PC may be transferred to another end user along with the software license rights. When transferring the PC to the new end user, the software media, manuals (if applicable), and Certificate of Authenticity label must be included. It is also advisable to include the original purchase invoice or receipt. The original end user cannot keep any copies of the software.

PC manufacturers do not provide OEM Windows software for download.

You would have to purchase a set of W7 recovery disks for the PC that has W7 on it, and they will only work on that PC.

[Harry_15]

Okay thanks i had no idea and thanks for the swift and informative reply!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

With the retail editions of Windows, you can transfer them to any other PC as long as the software was removed from the previous one it was installed on.

You can do that as many times as you want.