Reusing Win XP License Keys

[cfisupply]

Hi There, I found a post about reusing OEM WIN XP license keys. Well,
I have a couple of questions about license keys also. Let me pose
these questions in the realm of theory.
IN THEORY, I was asked to recycle a few computers. I was instructed to
wipe the Hard Drives clean using a program like DBAN for security
purposes. I was told that the Product Keys were not used on any other
computers. AND I have a Genuine Win XP Pro CD.

*Side Note These computers may be donated to local Non-Profits or sold
to individuals for reuse.

After booting computer to be sure it works, running a System check,
then Running DBAN...

Questions:
1. Would I be able to take the Product Key from the Recycled computers
to reinstall Win XP on them (if OEM license, to the same machine the
label is on - assuming its reusable)?

2. I don't have the original disk that Win XP was installed with on
these computers, so could I use the install disk I have with a key
from one of the recycled computers?

3. I read somewhere that sharing the installation disk is not illegal,
its sharing the Product Key that's illegal, Is this True?

4. If #2 &#3 are yes, Would the Win XP Pro CD I have work for both
retail and OEM license installations?

5. If a computer has a retail license on it, I have the Product key
(either harvested with Product Key locater or on a written piece of
paper), but the computer is not worth reusing... Could I use that
Product Key on another computer?

I would appreciate you reply. Thanks.

 

[JS]

One computer one license key.
Retail XP Key can be move to another PC as long
as it's remove from the previous PC.

OEM key is tied to the computer it was installed on.
Usually the motherboard is the determining factor.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi There, I found a post about reusing OEM WIN XP license keys. Well,
I have a couple of questions about license keys also. Let me pose
these questions in the realm of theory.
IN THEORY, I was asked to recycle a few computers. I was instructed to
wipe the Hard Drives clean using a program like DBAN for security
purposes. I was told that the Product Keys were not used on any other
computers. AND I have a Genuine Win XP Pro CD.

*Side Note These computers may be donated to local Non-Profits or sold
to individuals for reuse.

After booting computer to be sure it works, running a System check,
then Running DBAN...

Questions:
1. Would I be able to take the Product Key from the Recycled computers
to reinstall Win XP on them (if OEM license, to the same machine the
label is on - assuming its reusable)?


Yes.


2. I don't have the original disk that Win XP was installed with on
these computers, so could I use the install disk I have with a key
from one of the recycled computers?

An unbranded, generic OEM installation CD would probably work with the
OEM Product Key on the machine's CoA. A retail CD will not work.

3. I read somewhere that sharing the installation disk is not illegal,
its sharing the Product Key that's illegal, Is this True?

Correct. It's the Product Key that represents the license, not the CD.

4. If #2 &#3 are yes, Would the Win XP Pro CD I have work for both
retail and OEM license installations?

No. Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, or full) with which they are purchased.
For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any retail
version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice versa.
An OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail product. An
Italian Product Key will not work with an English CD. Bottom line:
Product Keys and CD/license types cannot usually (it's been reported
that the Product Key for a full license will work with an Upgrade CD) be
mixed & matched.

5. If a computer has a retail license on it, I have the Product key
(either harvested with Product Key locater or on a written piece of
paper), but the computer is not worth reusing... Could I use that
Product Key on another computer?

Yes, retail licenses are transferable.


--

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

 

[cfisupply]

Thanks for the info Guys. I wanted to double check those things first.

        An unbranded, generic OEM installation CD would probably work with the
OEM Product Key on the machine's CoA.  A retail CD will not work.

Would it be possible to download or request a CD of an unbranded
generic OEM installation? (Just the installation, NOT a Product Key;
Preferably without having to purchase a license) If so Where?

Thanks Again.

 

[Daave]

Thanks for the info Guys. I wanted to double check those things first.

An unbranded, generic OEM installation CD would probably work with the
OEM Product Key on the machine's CoA. A retail CD will not work.

Would it be possible to download or request a CD of an unbranded
generic OEM installation? (Just the installation, NOT a Product Key;
Preferably without having to purchase a license) If so Where?

It's certainly possible. There are a number of sources like torrents and
newsgroups. However, you need to know there's always a possibility of
downloading something malicious, so it is not recommended. You would be
better off borrowing an actual CD and making a copy. You can also
purchase one for around $90.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Questions:
1. Would I be able to take the Product Key from the Recycled computers
to reinstall Win XP on them (if OEM license, to the same machine the
label is on - assuming its reusable)?

Yes. You can reinstall a single copy of Windows as many times as you
want to on the same machine, whether it's retail or OEM.

2. I don't have the original disk that Win XP was installed with on
these computers, so could I use the install disk I have with a key
from one of the recycled computers?

Yes, *if* the key and the CD match with respect to Professional vs.
Home, Retail vs. OEM, and Full vs. Upgrade. No, if they don't match in
all those respects.

3. I read somewhere that sharing the installation disk is not illegal,
its sharing the Product Key that's illegal, Is this True?

Yes.


4. If #2 &#3 are yes, Would the Win XP Pro CD I have work for both
retail and OEM license installations?

No. Read my answer to number 2, above.

5. If a computer has a retail license on it, I have the Product key
(either harvested with Product Key locater or on a written piece of
paper), but the computer is not worth reusing... Could I use that
Product Key on another computer?

Yes. Retail licenses may be moved from computer to computer, as often
as desired. It's only OEM licenses that may not be moved.

To me that's the single biggest disadvantage of OEM versions, and the
reason I recommend against buying them.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

<inline>
** I liked Ken's answers best out of the ones given - short and to the point
(not that the other answers were not fine) - however - I felt like I wanted
to add to one part and have - below.

Yes. You can reinstall a single copy of Windows as many times as you
want to on the same machine, whether it's retail or OEM.


Yes, *if* the key and the CD match with respect to Professional vs.
Home, Retail vs. OEM, and Full vs. Upgrade. No, if they don't match
in all those respects.


No. Read my answer to number 2, above.

Ken is correct - the unmodified CD you have would only work for one or the
other.

However - with a little Internet searching and creating a new CD from the
one you have - you could create a CD that would accept a different type of
key (Retail, Upgrade, OEM, MSDN, Volume, etc.)

"setupp.ini"

<-- *not* a typo.

Yes. Retail licenses may be moved from computer to computer, as
often as desired. It's only OEM licenses that may not be moved.

To me that's the single biggest disadvantage of OEM versions, and
the reason I recommend against buying them.

Agreed.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

<inline>
** I liked Ken's answers best out of the ones given - short and to the point

Thanks very much, Shenan.

 

[Twayne]

Thanks for the info Guys. I wanted to double check those things first.

Would it be possible to download or request a CD of an unbranded
generic OEM installation? (Just the installation, NOT a Product Key;
Preferably without having to purchase a license) If so Where?

Thanks Again.

It's a pleasure to see someone doing something correctly and not looking
for every weasel-worded condition there is to accomplish shady-edged
operations. Whatever you're up to, I hope you have good luck with it.

KUDOS,

Twayne