How Many Computers Can You Install Windows Vista Ultimate On?

[Guest]

Similar to how you can only install Win XP Home on a certain number of
computers compared to XP Pro where you can install it on an unlimited amount
of computers, how many computers can you install Win Vista Ultimate on?

 

[Chad Harris]

ONE!

CH

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

Like WinXP Home and WinXP Pro, you can install Windows Vista (doesn't
matter which version) on one machine for each license you purchase. I am not
sure where you got the idea that WinXP Pro can be installed on an unlimited
number of machines, but that notion is false. Perhaps you were referring to
the widely distributed volume license key that is now blocked from updates?

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Chad Harris]

BTW El Chibo--

Whatever source gave you your info you related in your post--lose it.

There is no difference in the license between XP Home and XP Pro, and it's
once dance card for one XP OS or Vista OS.

With Office, you are allowed a desktop and a laptop.

CH

 

[Guest]

Ok so say I have three computers... Desktop at home, and desktop and laptop
at college, I can't just buy one retail version of Vista Ultimate (full
version, not upgrade), and install it on all three? I remember having Win XP
Home and being able to use the same key on 4 computers. I used the same
product key for 2 desktops and 2 laptops I owned.

 

[Richard Urban]

NO!

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Rock]

Ok so say I have three computers... Desktop at home, and desktop and
laptop
at college, I can't just buy one retail version of Vista Ultimate (full
version, not upgrade), and install it on all three? I remember having Win
XP
Home and being able to use the same key on 4 computers. I used the same
product key for 2 desktops and 2 laptops I owned.

No, it's has always been one license per computer. Same with Vista. Some
versions of office allows you to install on two systems, one desktop and one
laptop.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

XP Pro retail cannot be installed on an unlimited number of computers. Just
one per license.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Volume licensing through a University is another matter. If you want to
purchase Vista for your personal use on four computers you will need four
licenses whether retail, OEM, or VL.

 

[mikeyhsd]

its NOT a question of how many computers can you install vista on.
its REALLY a question on registering more than one installation with microsoft.

if you do not mind having to reinstall every 30 days or so. then do it to as many as you want.

if you want to legally register and continue to use it then JUST ONE.



(e-mail address removed)



Similar to how you can only install Win XP Home on a certain number of
computers compared to XP Pro where you can install it on an unlimited amount
of computers, how many computers can you install Win Vista Ultimate on?

 

[Chad Harris]

ELChibo--

As several people have said, you can only install one XP or Vista on one
computer, unless you want to play the game of reinstalling every 30 days or
installing without a PK and then using a command to renew your trial period,
and that's for a limited number of times (usually 3) if you were to install
Vista without a PK and use the rearm switch command.

You can type slui /rearm in your run box and get an extra 30 days 3 times
theoretically.

Colin had the obvious move for you. You're a college student:

"Desktop at home, and desktop and laptop at college"

If I were you, I'd either go to the campus bookstore, or in the cases of
some universities like one large one here, you can go to the IT department
and they have a special division for student and faculty purchases. Other
large colleges around here just sell at a significant discount for software
and hardware to student/faculty with IDs.

As Colin says, the university will get a volume licensing setup that enables
them to discount to their students and also can sell volume licenses at
student prices. This is also extended to hardware and gadgets in the local
bookstores around here. Sometimes they will discount significantly to
non-student faculty, but usually the discount is not near as steep as the
one for students and faculty.

Call 'em if you're not on campus and see what kind of price point they give
you.

CH

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I assume by "register" you mean "activate" since registration just registers the user with MS as a Windows user and is always voluntary.
its NOT a question of how many computers can you install vista on.
its REALLY a question on registering more than one installation with microsoft.

if you do not mind having to reinstall every 30 days or so. then do it to as many as you want.

if you want to legally register and continue to use it then JUST ONE.



(e-mail address removed)



Similar to how you can only install Win XP Home on a certain number of
computers compared to XP Pro where you can install it on an unlimited amount
of computers, how many computers can you install Win Vista Ultimate on?

 

[John Barnes]

Actually, one volume per license.

Hi,

Like WinXP Home and WinXP Pro, you can install Windows Vista (doesn't
matter which version) on one machine for each license you purchase. I am
not sure where you got the idea that WinXP Pro can be installed on an
unlimited number of machines, but that notion is false. Perhaps you were
referring to the widely distributed volume license key that is now blocked
from updates?

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[pvdg42]

ELChibo--

As several people have said, you can only install one XP or Vista on one
computer, unless you want to play the game of reinstalling every 30 days
or installing without a PK and then using a command to renew your trial
period, and that's for a limited number of times (usually 3) if you were
to install Vista without a PK and use the rearm switch command.

You can type slui /rearm in your run box and get an extra 30 days 3 times
theoretically.

Colin had the obvious move for you. You're a college student:

"Desktop at home, and desktop and laptop at college"

If I were you, I'd either go to the campus bookstore, or in the cases of
some universities like one large one here, you can go to the IT department
and they have a special division for student and faculty purchases. Other
large colleges around here just sell at a significant discount for
software and hardware to student/faculty with IDs.

As Colin says, the university will get a volume licensing setup that
enables them to discount to their students and also can sell volume
licenses at student prices. This is also extended to hardware and gadgets
in the local bookstores around here. Sometimes they will discount
significantly to non-student faculty, but usually the discount is not near
as steep as the one for students and faculty.

Call 'em if you're not on campus and see what kind of price point they
give you.

CH

Another option, if the OP's department has a subscription, is MSDN AA. A
student in a member department should be able to obtain at least two Vista
(Business Edition) licenses from the MSDN AA Administrator at no cost.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Well, if you want to get technical about it <g>, the license text reads "You
may install one copy of the software on the licensed device" after
describing the installation terms as:

"Before you use the software under a license, you must assign that license
to one device (physical hardware system). That device is the “licensed
device.†A hardware partition or blade is considered to be a separate
device."

Oh, the ambiguity of it all.....<g>

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

To be even more accurate, the term in the EULA is "device" and a device is
defined as a "partition or blade."

 

[William]

Good grief! My wife has always had a fascination with fancy knives and blades. I guess that makes her Vista ready!

To be even more accurate, the term in the EULA is "device" and a device is
defined as a "partition or blade."

 

[John Barnes]

You are of course correct. Since you can't install on an unlettered
partition, partition = volume, but my familiarity with blade servers is
admittedly zero (maybe less). Thanks for the correction, next time I will
be more specific.
Oh, the ambiguity of it all.....<g> (plagiarism)

 

[John Barnes]

Your are correct. I have had so many failed installs and other problems
requiring reinstalling Vista, that I now do a test install on another
partition. Won't be able to do that with the final version and I really
don't want to have to do a full backup every time I install a program. I do
hope that problem is solved in the final release, or there are going to be a
lot of unhappy, frustrated users. I know from posts on these Vista groups
that I am not alone, and the programs I install are probably more
representative of the average retail consumer than many here.

 

[Roscoe]

One, legally.