I currently have Windows XP Home edition. I have it on a
laptop i own outright, as well as a desktop i own
outright. I would like to put it on another desktop in
my household i use on a daily basis. Will Microsoft
adjust settings to allow me to have that third computer
with the same product key or do i have to find another
copy of XP just for the product key. I would like to
obtain just a product key if i need one instead of the
hundreds of dollars i see upgrades for at most computer
stores. Are they that strict with product keys or is
this just something they do to protect against piracy
that they are more lenient about?

On the back of the Windows XP box, please read the statement
"For installation and use on one computer"
(see License Agreement for license terms).

To access the License Agreement on your XP computer, go to:

Start > Run and type: WINVER , and hit enter.

Then click on "End-User License Agreement".

You can also open XP's "Help and Support" and type: EULA
and hit enter. Click on "Questions and answers about the EULA".

The End-User License Agreement states quite clearly:

"You may install, use, access, display and run one (1) copy
of the Software on a single (1) computer...."

Each installation of Windows XP, installed on a different computer,
will require the purchase of a new license (Product Key).
Otherwise, you'll not be able to activate XP on the subsequent installations.

HOW TO: Change the Product Key at the Time of Activation
http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp

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

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

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

"George" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message:
news:c7d801c438f9$9e7b9d50$(E-Mail Removed)...

|I currently have Windows XP Home edition. I have it on a
| laptop i own outright, as well as a desktop i own
| outright. I would like to put it on another desktop in
| my household i use on a daily basis. Will Microsoft
| adjust settings to allow me to have that third computer
| with the same product key or do i have to find another
| copy of XP just for the product key. I would like to
| obtain just a product key if i need one instead of the
| hundreds of dollars i see upgrades for at most computer
| stores. Are they that strict with product keys or is
| this just something they do to protect against piracy
| that they are more lenient about?

Greetings --

As it has *always* been with *all* Microsoft operating systems,
it's necessary (to be in compliance with both the EULA, if not
technically) to purchase one WinXP license for each computer on which
it is installed. 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, however, 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/h...buy/addlic.asp

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


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html


You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


"George" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:c7d801c438f9$9e7b9d50$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I currently have Windows XP Home edition. I have it on a
> laptop i own outright, as well as a desktop i own
> outright. I would like to put it on another desktop in
> my household i use on a daily basis. Will Microsoft
> adjust settings to allow me to have that third computer
> with the same product key or do i have to find another
> copy of XP just for the product key. I would like to
> obtain just a product key if i need one instead of the
> hundreds of dollars i see upgrades for at most computer
> stores. Are they that strict with product keys or is
> this just something they do to protect against piracy
> that they are more lenient about?