# Windows 7 question
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-question/639839
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 4, 2012, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-question/639839 "2012-11-04T11:48:35Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@robcaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robcaro)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2012, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-question/639839/1 "2012-11-04T11:48:35Z")
I have 2 computers, Desktop and Laptop. Windows 7 on Desktop and Windows Vista on the Laptop. Question is can I run same Windows 7 on both computers? Windows Vista is ugly. Problem is that I don’t have enough money to buy another Windows 7. Both computers use the same wireless modem.
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### Author:  [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-question/639839/2 "2012-11-04T15:34:56Z")
No, you need a seperate key for each copy of Windows 7 or it will eventually start giving you “this copy is not genuine” messages popping up.
Your best bet might actually be to upgrade the Vista system to Windows 8; depending on your location, it may be available as cheaply as $40.
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### Author:  [@AdamF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AdamF)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2012, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-question/639839/3 "2012-11-04T15:36:09Z")
You certainly CAN. However, you may want to check the Win 7 installation disk to see if your license ALLOWS you do it.
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### Author:  [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)
#### Post date: [November 4, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-question/639839/4 "2012-11-04T17:20:00Z")
> [@AdamF](#):
>
> You certainly CAN. However, you may want to check the Win 7 installation disk to see if your license ALLOWS you do it.
I have it on good authority his desktop is an OEM licence, so that would be a not allowed.
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### Author:  [@robcaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robcaro)
#### Post date: [November 10, 2012, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-question/639839/5 "2012-11-10T11:45:10Z")
> [@drachillix](#):
>
> I have it on good authority his desktop is an OEM licence, so that would be a not allowed.
Yes, my 7 is an OEM version. I guess I will just have to stick with Vista on the laptop for the time being.
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### Author:  [@southernlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/southernlady)
#### Post date: [November 10, 2012, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-7-question/639839/6 "2012-11-10T13:22:38Z")
With a gold copy, you are allowed a desktop and a laptop installation. It’s in the license…but not for an OEM copy.
Liz