Upgrading Windows versions

[Rivas]

I have 2 computers at home. My main computer came with
Windows XP-Home installed and the other has Windows ME.
I would like to upgrade the main computer from XP-Home to
XP-Pro, and then use the replaced XP-Home license on the
ME computer. Am I allowed to do that under Microsoft
licensing rules?

Thank you.

 

[Ron Chamberlin]

Hi Rivas,
It won't fly if either of the XP versions is from an OEM machine.


Ron Chamberlin
MS-MVP

 

[CS]

I have 2 computers at home. My main computer came with
Windows XP-Home installed and the other has Windows ME.
I would like to upgrade the main computer from XP-Home to
XP-Pro, and then use the replaced XP-Home license on the
ME computer. Am I allowed to do that under Microsoft
licensing rules?

Thank you.

Already answered in a previous thread. Use a real newsreader so you
can find your replies.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

No, you cannot transfer the WinXP Home license to another
computer.

First of all, based upon the description you've provided, you have
an OEM license for WinXP Home. 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 can
remove or replace it, if you like, but you can neither reuse it on a
different computer or resell it.

Additionally, If you use an Upgrade version of WinXP Pro, the
license for WinXP Home will be subsumed (became an integral part of)
by the WinXP Pro Upgrade license. Basically, you have no license to
use the Upgrade version without there also being an earlier qualifying
license _permanently_ in place.


Bruce Chambers
--
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