A device for winding and changing reels of web material includes two independently operable central drives for shifting winding shafts, a drivable winding shaft guide, a contact roller unit and slitting units. Both right-hand winding and left-hand winding are realized, whereby the device is without a prewinding station. For a winding shaft change, the drivable winding shaft guide is driven from the winding position into the parking position and is disconnected. Subsequently, the second central drive is connected to the winding shaft guide and is driven from its parking position into the winding position where the second central drive is connected with a new winding shaft. The contact roller unit is driven against the winding shaft and the web material is cut through by a slitting device and then wound to a new reel.