XP Professional license - legal way to get one?

[Gregg]

I need Windows XP Pro to run a certain application, but I need to buy a
legitimate, full license (not upgrade) to get my machine ready to run it. I
see OEM licenses available for sale but doubt that I'm allowed to use them.
Is it too late to buy a valid license? Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[Daave]

I need Windows XP Pro to run a certain application, but I need to buy a
legitimate, full license (not upgrade) to get my machine ready to run
it. I
see OEM licenses available for sale but doubt that I'm allowed to use
them.
Is it too late to buy a valid license? Thanks for any thoughts.

Look here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116515

The only downside is that you may use this OEM license on only one PC;
the EULA states that it may not be transfered to another PC ever. But it
is certainly legit.

 

[dadiOH]

I need Windows XP Pro to run a certain application, but I need to buy
a legitimate, full license (not upgrade) to get my machine ready to
run it. I see OEM licenses available for sale but doubt that I'm
allowed to use them. Is it too late to buy a valid license? Thanks
for any thoughts.

You can buy all flavors of XP at hundreds of places. Just Google.

Assuming you already have a Windows operating system, there is no reason you
couldn't buy an upgrade XP and use it to full install. You could also use
an OEM, you just aren't supposed to later use it on another machine.

--

dadiOH
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[Malke]

I need Windows XP Pro to run a certain application, but I need to buy a
legitimate, full license (not upgrade) to get my machine ready to run it.
I see OEM licenses available for sale but doubt that I'm allowed to use
them.
Is it too late to buy a valid license? Thanks for any thoughts.

XP Full is still being sold at plenty of places as a quick Google would have
shown you. Here it is at NewEgg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16837116195

Amazon has it, too. Of course, I don't know where you live so you should
perform your own search.

Malke

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I need Windows XP Pro to run a certain application, but I need to buy a
legitimate, full license (not upgrade) to get my machine ready to run it. I
see OEM licenses available for sale but doubt that I'm allowed to use them.
Is it too late to buy a valid license? Thanks for any thoughts.

A few points:

1. Yes, you can use an OEM copy.

2. My view is that an OEM copy is the worst kind you can buy. It comes
with several restrictions, and the worst restriction is that the
license ties it permanently to the first computer it's installed on.
Even if the computer dies, you may not use your copy on another
computer.

3. Why do you want a Full copy, not an Upgrade? Despite what some
people think, an Upgrade copy *can* do a clean installation as long as
you own a CD of a previous qualifying version to show it as proof of
ownership when prompted. Most people have a Windows 98 CD around, but
worst case, if you don't, you can buy one inexpensively someplace like
eBay.

A Full copy costs much more than an Upgrade or OEM copy, and the
Upgrade costs only slightly more than an OEM copy. I strongly
recommend that you buy an Upgrade.

 

[Gregg]

Thank you to everyone for the thoughtful replies. The reason I can't use an
upgrade license is that I'm installing Windows on a Mac (to dual boot with
Boot Camp), but I gather from your comments that an OEM license is OK plus a
non-OEM license can still be bought if I prefer. Again, thanks for the
replies.