text: windows product key? i have a dell computer that has a coa sticker with the windows xp product key on it.  i am building myself a new computer to replace the dell.  can i use the product key on the coa as the product key for my new computer?  i will be keeping the coa if so, so that nobody else can use that same key. that key is  volume licensing. and like it was mentioned before, it was meant for a dell machine. your key is not unique. what also may happen is when you load that o.s on your new system the cd will tell you that the key is invalid. to save your self the hassle and headache just buy a new copy.   http://www.softwareoutlet.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?