If Windows Activation fails can I restore a previously created system image to the system?

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I inherited some OEM machines with Windows 7 on them. I noticed recently that I am getting a pop up upon boot saying ‘Windows could not be activated’. When I go into the properties of the ‘computer’ icon, I see that under Windows Activation I have a count down period of about 28 days to activate. Just to save me losing all my data, I created a system image and saved it on a network drive.

Worse case scenario, if I do activate this OS and I get locked out, can I restore this system image to another Windows 7 barebones machine or even this particular one (if the key is invalid and I appropriate a valid one)?

Thanks.

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