Re: Windows XP (number of computers)

From: Bruce Chambers (bchambers_at_nospamcableone.net)
Date: 06/16/04 

Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2004 19:24:55 -0600

Greetings --

    No, of course not. But you already knew this, didn't you? After
all, the WinXP box is clearly marked as being for installation on only
a single computer, and as you'd have had to have read and agreed to
the EULA during the first installation, you know perfectly well that
you are not be able to legitimately use that license on multiple
machines.

    As it has *always* been with *all* Microsoft operating systems,
it's necessary (to be in compliance with both the EULA and U.S.
copyright law http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/117.html), if not
technically) to purchase one WinXP license for each computer on which
it is installed. (Consult an attorney versed in copyright law to
determine final applicability in your locale.) The only way in which
WinXP licensing differs from that of earlier versions of Windows is
that Microsoft has finally added a copy protection and anti-theft
mechanism, Product Activation, to prevent (or at least make more
difficult) multiple installations using a single license.

    You can buy additional licenses, assuming you have a retail
license. Naturally, Microsoft cannot sell additional OEM licenses.
Be aware, however, that you'll probably pay more this way than you
would if you were to buy a second copy of WinXP from a discount
retailer; Microsoft will only offer you a 15% discount off their MSRP.

Additional Licenses for Windows XP Home Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/addlic.asp

Additional Licenses for Windows XP Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/addlic.asp

Bruce Chambers 

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"Joe Collins" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1c91001c4530b$fa803b70$a601280a@phx.gbl...
> When I purchased windows xp I was told it could only be
> loaded on one computer, but I have recently been told by a
> friend that Microsoft has changed, and that it can now be
> loaded on up to three computers in one home.  Is this true?

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Move WinXP Hard Drive to New System ??
    ... Should a repair installation leave all my 3rd party ... I have a full WinXP Pro license, ... and assuming a retail license (many OEM installations ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Master/Slave
    ... Normally, and assuming a retail license (many factory-installed OEM installations are BIOS-locked to a specific chipset and therefore are *not* transferable to a new motherboard - check yours before starting), unless the new motherboard is virtually identical to the one on which the WinXP installation was originally performed, you'll need to perform a repair installation, at the very least: ... How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP ... Changing a Motherboard or Moving a Hard Drive with WinXP Installed ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: XP Pro, activation expired, need to uninstall
    ... WinXP box is clearly marked as ... had to have read and agreed to the EULA during the first installation, ... that license on two machines. ... Microsoft cannot sell additional OEM ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: Laptop?
    ... > Retail licenses of Office (and many other Microsoft products) permit ... > the installation of the software onto one desktop computer and one ... provided that the license owner is the primary user ... be in compliance with both the EULA and copyright laws." ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Plötzlich keine Netzwerkverbindung mehr !!
    ... > Microsoft bekommen hatte und ich dachte dass es eben über ... Während der Installation wird das vorherige WinXP home ... Outlook Express ...
    (microsoft.public.de.german.windowsxp.networking)