Transfer xp to a new computer

I have an older computer with Windows XP Home installed. It is an e-machines computer with no installation disk. The backup OS is in a separate partition.

I would like to buy a new computer (not e-machines) and transfer the OS to it.

I obtained the installation number with Keyfinder, but assume the OS is tied to the MOBO in some way.

Can I do this? How?

 

Short answer...no, you can't do that.

Preinstalled Windows are OEM versions and OEM versions are irrevocably tied to the computer on which they are installed. They cannot be used on another system.

You will need to buy another copy of whichever Windows version you want (or can find) to install on the new system.

 

If it is an OEM preinstalled version it is not transferable to another machine, the licence is tied to the original machine. You will need to get a retail version.

Windows XP will no longer be supported by Microsoft in about 4 years so why not upgrade to windows 7.

 

Thanks for the reply. I've thought long and hard about the xp vs 7 issue. I have a jillion apps which I'm sure won't work in 7--even in a legacy mode--and they probably won't be available in a 7 version, or at least I won't want to afford all of them. The web is full of discussions, even from businesses, that feel that they will have to dual boot--at least for a while. I'm not a fan of dual booting, but think that I may start out with a new xp license while it is still available and then dual boot (not the virtual kind) when I get settled in.

Another option is to keep a second computer just for the xp apps. My second computer really saved my bacon a few weeks ago when the main one crashed and I had to get to my financial records.

Interesting about the dual booting. Even Microsoft must be admitting that customers will want to stay with xp, at least for a while, because the xp is available as a free download for those who want to do the virtual kind.