Transfer of XP Pro License to New Computer

[Guest]

I purchased Windows XP Pro about 2 years ago and I'm considering purchasing a
new PC. Of course the new PC comes standard with XP Home edition. I would
like to transfer my licensed version of XP Pro from my old PC to the new one.
Can I do so without any fees? If so what do I have to do before/after
loading the software on the new PC? Is there a way of transferring my setup
from the old PC to the new one without reloading software? Any help would be
appreciated.

 

[Oli Restorick [MVP]]

Hi there

If the previous license for Windows XP Pro came with your original computer,
then it will be an OEM version of Windows XP. That means that the software
is tied to the original computer and may not be legally transferred to
another computer. This is detailed in the End User License Agreement. This
is also one reason that the software will have cost you less than a retail
version of Windows.

As for transferring settings, there is the Files and Settings Transfer
Wizard.

HOW TO: Use Files and Settings Transfer Wizard in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;293118

Hope this helps

Oli

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I purchased Windows XP Pro about 2 years ago and I'm considering purchasing a
new PC. Of course the new PC comes standard with XP Home edition. I would
like to transfer my licensed version of XP Pro from my old PC to the new one.
Can I do so without any fees? If so what do I have to do before/after
loading the software on the new PC? Is there a way of transferring my setup
from the old PC to the new one without reloading software? Any help would be
appreciated.

There is no "de-activation" or "un-registration" process, as such, nor
any other special steps to be taken. Nor is there ever a charge.

Assuming a retail license (OEM licenses are not transferable), simply
remove WinXP from the computer it is currently on and then install it on
the new PC. If it's been more than 120 days since you last activated
that specific Product Key, you'll most likely be able to activate via
the Internet without problem. If it's been less, you might have to make
a 5 minute phone call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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

 

[Guest]

Bruce:

Thank you for your response. In this instance it is not an OEM scenerio.
This is a retail license. A follow up question to your response.

Must I remove the software from the present PC first ? Why not install it on
the new PC and then remove it from the old one? How will I transfer data
files to the new PC if the old one has no OS?

 

[Sharon F]

Must I remove the software from the present PC first ? Why not install it on
the new PC and then remove it from the old one? How will I transfer data
files to the new PC if the old one has no OS?

Others might disagree with me but that's how I do it - remove from old
machine after new one is up and running and it has been confirmed that the
data has been transferred successfully. Usually done within 24 hours. Have
never left old copy on the old system for longer than 48 hours. The goal of
the EULA is for a single copy of XP to be used on a single computer and
that is the result that I end up with.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Bruce:

Thank you for your response. In this instance it is not an OEM scenerio.
This is a retail license. A follow up question to your response.

Must I remove the software from the present PC first ? Why not install it on
the new PC and then remove it from the old one?

That's how it's generally done, to be honest. While it's "technically"
a violation of the EULA, I wouldn't worry about it too much, as long as
you don't intend to keep the single license on both computers for longer
than the couple of hours it would take to transfer and verify the data.
And you needn't activate the new installation until you have completed
the transfer; you'll have 30 days.

How will I transfer data
files to the new PC if the old one has no OS?

WinXP provides a mechanism that works quite well for this purpose. You
could use the FAST (File and Settings Transfer Wizard) to create a CD
from which to restore your data and settings.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I purchased Windows XP Pro about 2 years ago and I'm considering
purchasing a new PC. Of course the new PC comes standard with
XP
Home edition. I would like to transfer my licensed version of
XP Pro
from my old PC to the new one. Can I do so without any fees?
If so
what do I have to do before/after loading the software on the
new PC?
Is there a way of transferring my setup from the old PC to the
new
one without reloading software? Any help would be appreciated.

I see that others have already answered your "how" question, but
I wanted to add a different comment.

Have you considered not doing this and just staying with the Home
version? XP Professional and XP Home are exactly the same in all
respects, except that Professional has a few features (mostly
related to networking and security) missing from Home. For most
(but not all) home users, these features aren't needed and would
never be used. So you might not even notice any difference
between the two.

If you fall into that category, it might be much easier to just
stay with Home, and sell your retail copy of XP Professional
(after removing it from your old PC).

 

[Guest]

Ken:

Thanks for the feedback. I do however have a home network and I'm
interested in the features that XP Pro offers. Your suggestion provides an
excellent alternative just the same.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Ken:

Thanks for the feedback. I do however have a home network

You're welcome. But note that Windows XP Home does home networks
just fine. There are only two major networking difference between
the two: Professional lets you join a domain (something hardly
ever needed in a home network) and Home does not; Professional
allows ten concurrent network connections, and Home only five
(and five is more than enough for *most* home networks)..

and I'm
interested in the features that XP Pro offers.

OK, that's fine. I just wanted to make sure you understood the
differences and that they were things you really needed or
wanted. Many people don't and make the mistake of choosing
Professional over Home when they don't need to.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I purchased Windows XP Pro about 2 years ago and I'm considering purchasing a
new PC. Of course the new PC comes standard with XP Home edition. I would
like to transfer my licensed version of XP Pro from my old PC to the new one.
Can I do so without any fees?

Provided it was a retail copy of Pro, not an OEM one that is
non-transferable. Go ahead and install. Before using up the 30 days
grace before Activation is imperative, remove it from the old machine.
Then on activation, if it is more than 120 days since you last did it,
you will find it will go through on the net just like first time. If
not, you will have to phone a toll-free number that will be given, to
explain and swap one long number for another to check back as you type
it in

 

[Guest]

I purchased Windows XP Pro about 2 years ago and I'm considering purchasing a
new PC. Of course the new PC comes standard with XP Home edition. I would
like to transfer my licensed version of XP Pro from my old PC to the new one.
Can I do so without any fees? If so what do I have to do before/after
loading the software on the new PC? Is there a way of transferring my setup
from the old PC to the new one without reloading software? Any help would be
appreciated.

 

[Michael Stevens]

In
Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
How do I deactivate, move to another computer or sell a previously activated
XP?
#06 on the FAQ list
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Bruce Chambers]

:

Assuming a retail license (Which your Upgrade obviously is), simply
remove WinXP from the computer it is currently on (effectively
accomplished if the PC is defunct) and then install it on the new
computer. If it's been more than 120 days since you last activated that
specific Product Key, the you'll most likely be able to activate via the
Internet without problem. If it's been less, you might have to make a 5
minute phone call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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

 

[Guest]

I'm not transferring Windows XP Pro to a different computer. The PC in which
it's already installed was given to me by my brother, so, naturally, the
Windows XP Pro program is registered to him. Because this is now my PC, I'd
like the program to be registered to me, also. (If I were to buy a new
Windows XP Pro program, I'd have to save everything to memory sticks or lose
all of my documents, so I don't want that!( --- Besides which, apart from
profitability to Microsoft Corp, why should I have to go pay for a whole
other program, when there's one already installed?!)

The existing program, I believe, was OEM "bundled" by Dell, with the PC ---
but the Dell representative who assisted me in transferring registration of
the PC, itself, said that "Windows registration is a Microsoft issue" and
re-directed me to contact you folks!

Also, I need help, when I do re-register, deleting my brother's information
from the feature that locks the computer by "user name and pass code".

Thanks in advance for your prompt response.

 

[Alias]

I'm not transferring Windows XP Pro to a different computer. The PC in which
it's already installed was given to me by my brother, so, naturally, the
Windows XP Pro program is registered to him. Because this is now my PC, I'd
like the program to be registered to me, also. (If I were to buy a new
Windows XP Pro program, I'd have to save everything to memory sticks or lose
all of my documents, so I don't want that!( --- Besides which, apart from
profitability to Microsoft Corp, why should I have to go pay for a whole
other program, when there's one already installed?!)

The existing program, I believe, was OEM "bundled" by Dell, with the PC ---
but the Dell representative who assisted me in transferring registration of
the PC, itself, said that "Windows registration is a Microsoft issue" and
re-directed me to contact you folks!

Also, I need help, when I do re-register, deleting my brother's information
from the feature that locks the computer by "user name and pass code".

Thanks in advance for your prompt response.

No need to register it.

Alias

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I'm not transferring Windows XP Pro to a different computer. The PC in which
it's already installed was given to me by my brother, so, naturally, the
Windows XP Pro program is registered to him. Because this is now my PC, I'd
like the program to be registered to me, also. (If I were to buy a new
Windows XP Pro program, I'd have to save everything to memory sticks or lose
all of my documents, so I don't want that!( --- Besides which, apart from
profitability to Microsoft Corp, why should I have to go pay for a whole
other program, when there's one already installed?!)

Registration is purely optional, and, especially in the case of an OEM
license, provides to benefit.

The existing program, I believe, was OEM "bundled" by Dell, with the PC ---
but the Dell representative who assisted me in transferring registration of
the PC, itself, said that "Windows registration is a Microsoft issue" and
re-directed me to contact you folks!

The Dell representative recommended that you contact a group of random
strangers, none of whom are affiliated with Microsoft? How curious.
He/she should have pointed you in the correct direction to contact
Microsoft. Be that as it may, if registration is important to you, you
may do so via the Registration Wizard:

Click Start, and then click Run. In the Open box, type regwiz /r.

Also, I need help, when I do re-register, deleting my brother's information
from the feature that locks the computer by "user name and pass code".

This part is unclear. If you brother added some sort of 3rd party
locking feature, you'll have to ask him to help you remove it.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'm not transferring Windows XP Pro to a different computer.

OK, if you say so, but that contradicts what it says in the subject line of
this thread.

The PC
in which it's already installed was given to me by my brother, so,
naturally, the Windows XP Pro program is registered to him. Because
this is now my PC, I'd like the program to be registered to me, also.

My advice is not to worry at all about who it's registered to. Registration
is completely optional, and essentially meaningless to you. It's used only
by Microsoft for marketing purposes.

Don't mix up registration with activation. Unlike registration, activation
is mandatory, but is completely anonymous. The activation is for the
computer, not your brother.

(If I were to buy a new Windows XP Pro program, I'd have to save
everything to memory sticks or lose all of my documents, so I don't
want that!

Memory sticks are one way to save your data, but there are others: CDs,
DVDs, removable hard drive, etc.

However that sentence suggests that you have no backup procedure in place
and you are assuming that your documents will always remain on your drive.
That's a very poor assumption. Hard drives don't last forever and canal ways
fail. Other risks to your data include sever power glitches, nearby
lightning strikes, virus attacks, user error, theft of the computer, etc. As
has often been said, it's not a matter of whether you will have such a
problem, but when.

If your documents are important to you, you need to put a strong backup
procedure in place quickly.

--- Besides which, apart from profitability to Microsoft
Corp, why should I have to go pay for a whole other program, when
there's one already installed?!)

You shouldn't and don't have to. If yours is an OEM version, as long as
Windows XP stays on the same computer there's no problem. If yours is a
retail version, you could even move it to a different computer without a
problem.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
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