How Many Computers

[Jamie Zimmerman]

How many computers am I allowed to put Windows XP Professional Sp2 on. I
have one copy on my Main Computer, I have 3 others in the house that are
connected on my wireless network. The reason I am asking is because, I don't
want to spend $199.99 to upgrade the rest of the computers on my home
network. I have three kids and they each have a computer of their own. I
would like to upgrade them so they can use any computer in the house. Also I
would like to keep all 4 computers running smoothly in the XP Professional
mode.

Just curious if any one can help me figure this out. I don't want to upgrade
these computers and lose all information that is stored on the pc's.

Thank you, Jamie

 

[Alias~-]

How many computers am I allowed to put Windows XP Professional Sp2 on. I
have one copy on my Main Computer, I have 3 others in the house that are
connected on my wireless network. The reason I am asking is because, I don't
want to spend $199.99 to upgrade the rest of the computers on my home
network. I have three kids and they each have a computer of their own. I
would like to upgrade them so they can use any computer in the house. Also I
would like to keep all 4 computers running smoothly in the XP Professional
mode.

Just curious if any one can help me figure this out. I don't want to upgrade
these computers and lose all information that is stored on the pc's.

Thank you, Jamie

On copy of XP per computer. You will have to buy three more copies. If
you want to spend less, buy an OEM version from Walmart or Newegg on
line. Just know that OEM versions cannot be used to upgrade an existing
operating system and you will have to back up the kids' data, reformat
the hard drives, install XP, get the updates and reinstall all the programs.

Alias

 

[Gordon]

How many computers am I allowed to put Windows XP Professional Sp2 on

One and one only

I have one copy on my Main Computer, I have 3 others in the house that are
connected on my wireless network. The reason I am asking is because, I
don't want to spend $199.99 to upgrade the rest of the computers on my
home network. I have three kids and they each have a computer of their
own. I would like to upgrade them so they can use any computer in the
house. Also I would like to keep all 4 computers running smoothly in the
XP Professional mode.

if you can't afford a licence for each machine, then try looking at some
alternative Operating Systems.

http://distrowatch.com/

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

A Windows XP license can only be used on one (1)
computer. Therefore, you'll need to purchase a new
license for each additional installation.

From the Windows XP EULA:

1.1 Installation and use. You may install, use, access,
display and run one copy of the Software on a single
computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other
device ("Workstation Computer"). The Software may not
be used by more than two (2) processors at any one
time on any single Workstation Computer.

Please read your End-User License Agreement by going
to Start > Run and type: WINVER , and hit enter. Then
click on "End-User License Agreement".

Here's the easiest way to get an additional license. If you already
have a copy of Windows XP and want to pick up an additional full
version or version upgrade, here's how to qualify for and order your
new Product Key quickly and easily.
http://www.microsoft.com/products/i...ge&catid=ea710cad-37b0-4975-bcd6-abfee19961df


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP 2007
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­---------------------------------

:

| How many computers am I allowed to put Windows XP Professional Sp2 on. I
| have one copy on my Main Computer, I have 3 others in the house that are
| connected on my wireless network. The reason I am asking is because, I don't
| want to spend $199.99 to upgrade the rest of the computers on my home
| network. I have three kids and they each have a computer of their own. I
| would like to upgrade them so they can use any computer in the house. Also I
| would like to keep all 4 computers running smoothly in the XP Professional
| mode.
|
| Just curious if any one can help me figure this out. I don't want to upgrade
| these computers and lose all information that is stored on the pc's.
|
| Thank you, Jamie

 

[Richard Urban]

Not withstanding what is allowed, and what isn't (I refuse to get into that
debate), a person who has the finances to have 4 computers in the household,
along with the ancillary hardware that goes with them, should certainly find
it (I think) within their resources to have one purchased copy of Windows XP
per computer. And if you don't, let the computers run with what is on them
now.



--

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!

 

[JS]

After the input you just received about how many copies, if any of those PCs
are fairly new, you might consider holding off on at least one of the PC
upgrades and wait till Vista is released, the price may or may not be the
same but some vendors may sweeten the pot with other offers when Vista is
first made available.

Also Vista has enough versions to make your head spin:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/editions/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/default.mspx

JS

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

How many computers am I allowed to put Windows XP Professional Sp2
on.

One. The rule is quite clear. It's one copy (or one license) for each
computer.

There's nothing new here. This is exactly the same rule that's been in
effect on every version of Windows starting with Windows 3.1. The only thing
new with XP is that there's now an enforcement mechanism.

If yours is a retail version, not an OEM one, you can buy extra licenses
(see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/addlic.asp). But it's
not generally a good deal. The problem is that Microsoft sells additional
licenses at only a small savings over the list price. You're almost
certainly better off just buying a complete second copy from a discount
source.

I have one copy on my Main Computer, I have 3 others in the house
that are connected on my wireless network. The reason I am asking is
because, I don't want to spend $199.99 to upgrade the rest of the
computers on my home network. I have three kids and they each have a
computer of their own. I would like to upgrade them so they can use
any computer in the house. Also I would like to keep all 4 computers
running smoothly in the XP Professional mode.

In all probablity, XP Home would be just as good for them as Professional.
They (or you) would probably never see the difference. You'd still have to
buy three copies, but you can get XP Home Upgrades for under $100 each,
which is considerably less than $199.99.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

How many computers am I allowed to put Windows XP Professional Sp2 on. I
have one copy on my Main Computer, I have 3 others in the house that are
connected on my wireless network. The reason I am asking is because, I don't
want to spend $199.99 to upgrade the rest of the computers on my home
network. I have three kids and they each have a computer of their own. I
would like to upgrade them so they can use any computer in the house. Also I
would like to keep all 4 computers running smoothly in the XP Professional
mode.

Just curious if any one can help me figure this out. I don't want to upgrade
these computers and lose all information that is stored on the pc's.

Thank you, Jamie

You need to purchase a separate WinXP license for each computer on
which you install it. (As long as you have multiple identical licenses,
it doesn't matter if you use the same CD for the installations, as long
as you use a different license each time.)

Just as it has *always* been with *all* Microsoft operating
systems, it's necessary (to be in compliance with both the EULA and U.S.
copyright law http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/117.html), if not
technically) to purchase one WinXP license for each computer on which it
is installed. (Consult an attorney versed in copyright law to determine
final applicability in your locale.) The only way in which WinXP
licensing differs from that of earlier versions of Windows is that
Microsoft has finally added a copy protection and anti-theft mechanism,
Product Activation, to prevent (or at least make more difficult)
multiple installations using a single license.

One can buy additional licenses, assuming one already has a retail
license. Naturally, Microsoft cannot sell additional OEM licenses. Be
aware, however, that you'll probably pay more this way than you would if
you were to buy a second copy of WinXP from a discount retailer;
Microsoft will only offer you a 15% discount off their MSRP.

Additional Licenses for Windows XP Home Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/addlic.asp

Additional Licenses for Windows XP Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/addlic.asp

--

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

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell