Registering previously installed Windows XP Home Edition

[SDUSER]

Months ago I installed and registered my OEM Windows XP Home Edition on an
older computer. I just installed it on my new computer but I haven't
registered it yet. Do I have to do anything to de-activate my old
registration before I can register my new version? If so what would that be?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Months ago I installed and registered my OEM Windows XP Home Edition on an
older computer. I just installed it on my new computer but I haven't
registered it yet. Do I have to do anything to de-activate my old
registration before I can register my new version? If so what would that be?

By your own admission, you have an OEM license for WinXP. An OEM
version must be sold with a piece of hardware (normally a motherboard or
hard rive, if not an entire PC) and is _permanently_ bound to the first
PC on which it's installed. An OEM license, once installed, is not
legally transferable to another computer under _any_ circumstances.

You'll have to purchase a new WinXP license to go with the new
computer.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Alias]

By your own admission, you have an OEM license for WinXP. An OEM
version must be sold with a piece of hardware (normally a motherboard or
hard rive, if not an entire PC) and is _permanently_ bound to the first
PC on which it's installed. An OEM license, once installed, is not
legally transferable to another computer under _any_ circumstances.

You'll have to purchase a new WinXP license to go with the new
computer.

No, MS *wants* you buy it (and, apparently, you, too). If it's been over
120 days since the last activation/hardware replacement, one can install
it on another computer, activate and become genuine. If and when MS
grows the balls to take someone to court in every single country in the
world, the EULA is just a worthless words.

Alias

 

[Alias]

Months ago I installed and registered my OEM Windows XP Home Edition on an
older computer. I just installed it on my new computer but I haven't
registered it yet. Do I have to do anything to de-activate my old
registration before I can register my new version? If so what would that be?

Your EULA says you can't move a generic OEM version of XP to a new
computer you should buy a new copy of XP. In practice, if it's been over
120 days since your last activation or hardware change, you can activate
on line and become genuine if you so desire. If you want to be sure you
aren't violating the EULA, use a screw from the old computer and call
the new computer an "upgraded" computer.

There is no deactivation process so don't worry about that.

Alias

 

[SDUSER]

When I said OEM I mispoke. It is an over the counter Windows XP Home Edition
that I bought from an Office Depot store. When I said register I meant
activate.

 

[Daave]

That's much clearer.

Since it's impossible to "deactivate" Windows, formatting the hard drive
on the old PC will suffice.

 

[Frank-FL]

Months ago I installed and registered my OEM Windows XP Home Edition on an
older computer. I just installed it on my new computer but I haven't
registered it yet. Do I have to do anything to de-activate my old
registration before I can register my new version? If so what would that be?

Save your data. Write zeros to the drive. If it has been 120 days since last install
with no hardware changes. It should activate.

 

[Clarebear]

Hi there,
but if you re-format your old computer how does Microsoft know that you are
no longer using the license on that old computer?
I have two old computers that I want to get rid of and de-activate my bought
copy of Win XP Pro on them and two new computers that I use now which have XP
on them.
So if I want to install XP on another computer of mine, either I just cant,
(which is rediculous when I am dumping the old comps.), or ideally I would
like to de-activate two licenses.

Yeah fair enough having 4 licenses per copy of Windows - that is fine but
not being able to de-activate it with Microsoft.

So is that true that 120 days after the last install and activation of
Windows that one can install another copy on another machine??

Cheers,
Clare

 

[Alias]

So is that true that 120 days after the last install and activation of
Windows that one can install another copy on another machine??

Cheers,
Clare

Yes, it's true, although not the way you worded it. If it's been over
120 days since the last activation/hardware change, the activation slate
will have been wiped clean and you can install a generic OEM copy of XP
on any computer your little heart desires. It is against the EULA, however.

Alias

 

[Daave]

but if you re-format your old computer how does Microsoft know that
you are no longer using the license on that old computer?

It doesn't "know." Example: You build a PC from components. You install
XP from a Retail XP CD you have. You build a second PC. You give the old
PC to a friend but neglect to format the hard drive. As far as Microsoft
is concerned, until you activate XP on your new PC, it is the old PC
that has the license to run XP (the license associated with your CD's
Product Key). The license doesn't transfer *officially* until you
install it on the new PC and then activate. If the time frame is less
than 120 days, you will need to phone Microsoft. It should be a brief
call and you should then be official. It is at this point that Microsoft
recognizes that the license has been transferred to another PC.

Even if the old PC still has XP installed, as long as it isn't online,
Microsoft won't know if it is running the same licensed Windows. It will
only know if the user of that PC goes online and attempts to run Windows
Update. And since you will have already transferred the license to your
new PC, the owner of the old PC will get a message to the effect that
the license he has is no longer valid.

I have two old computers that I want to get rid of and de-activate my
bought copy of Win XP Pro on them and two new computers that I use
now which have XP on them.

They don't really get "deactivated." But it is a de facto deactivation
once you transfer the licenses to the new PCs. Keep in mind that only
Retail versions of licenses are transferrable according to the EULA

So if I want to install XP on another computer of mine, either I just
cant, (which is rediculous when I am dumping the old comps.), or
ideally I would like to de-activate two licenses.

See above.

Yeah fair enough having 4 licenses per copy of Windows - that is fine
but not being able to de-activate it with Microsoft.

You're too hung up on the idea of deactivation!

So is that true that 120 days after the last install and activation of
Windows that one can install another copy on another machine??

It's also true that this can be done before 120 days pass! After 120
days, it may activate automatically online. But keep in mind that you
can always activate by phone.