How many legal users on 1 disk

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
You can only use one Windows XP license on just one computer.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/
 
cuthb3rt said:
How many computers can be registered legally with 1 OEM disk???
Click to expand...

One. The computer (or computer using the hardware that) the disk came with.

One disk / licence to one computer is actually the case regardless of
whether we're talking OEM software or the retail edition of the software.


--
 
cuthb3rt said:
How many computers can be registered legally with 1 OEM disk???
Click to expand...


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.
 
Robert Moir said:
One. The computer (or computer using the hardware that) the disk came
with.

One disk / licence to one computer is actually the case regardless of
whether we're talking OEM software or the retail edition of the software.
Click to expand...

Except for the corporate edition. Then licences are bought for each machine
that has the OS, there won't be as many CD's as computers running the OS-
one CD can be legally used for 100's of machines..
 
cuthb3rt said:
How many computers can be registered legally with 1 OEM disk???
Click to expand...


An OEM version 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 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:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
Alan said:
Except for the corporate edition.
Click to expand...


There is no such thing as WinXP "Corporate Edition." That is a term
applied exclusively to pirated (iow, stolen) copies of the Volume
Licensed WinXP Pro by the "warez" aficionados.

Then licences are bought for each machine
that has the OS, there won't be as many CD's as computers running the OS-
one CD can be legally used for 100's of machines..
Click to expand...


What you're describing is the Volume License. While you're correct,
your statement is well outside the purview of the question asked. The
OP asked about the OEM license.


--

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
 
cuthb3rt said:
How many computers can be registered legally with 1 OEM disk???
Click to expand...

One computer per license. Please read the End User License Agreement (EULA):

Start, run, type in

eula.txt

press enter.

Steve N.
 
My HD crashed and I lost my Windows installation with that HD. Now I'm
receiving a new HD and still have my Win XP install disc. Will I be able to
use this disc to install Windows on the new HD, or do I need another copy...
 
My HD crashed and I lost my Windows installation with that HD. Now I'm
receiving a new HD and still have my Win XP install disc. Will I be
able to use this disc to install Windows on the new HD, or do I need
another copy...
Click to expand...

You're OK. You'll probably have to reactivate, but if it's been more than
120 days since the last activation, it should go through without a hitch.
If it doesn't go through, you'll be looking at an 800 number to call. Do
that and tell the guy (if you can understand him) what you're doing and
he'll give you some numbers to type in and you'll be all set.
 
SnappleMan said:
My HD crashed and I lost my Windows installation with that HD. Now I'm
receiving a new HD and still have my Win XP install disc. Will I be
able to use this disc to install Windows on the new HD,

Yes.


or do I need
another copy...
Click to expand...


No. The restrictions are as follows:

1. You may have it installed on only one computer at a time.

2. With a retail copy, you may move it from one computer to another as often
as you want. With an OEM copy, is is permanently tied to the first computer
it's installed on.

What you want to do doesn't violate the rules.
 
SnappleMan said:
My HD crashed and I lost my Windows installation with that HD. Now I'm
receiving a new HD and still have my Win XP install disc. Will I be able
to
use this disc to install Windows on the new HD, or do I need another
copy...
Click to expand...

You have posted this twice in a few minutes. I replied to your later post.
Please don't make multiple posts on the same topic.
 
Okay, thanks to the both of you. I kind of had this info from someone, but I
wanted to ensure it was good info.

I'll be back if something fails on me.
 
Rock said:
You have posted this twice in a few minutes. I replied to your later post.
Please don't make multiple posts on the same topic.
Click to expand...

The topic I posted in earlier was before I verified my account. I came back
after I verified (about 10 mins later) and my post wasn't there. I started my
own topic soon after..(this one...)


Anyway, my copy of WinXP home was OEM from newegg... so, based on what you
said, I need another copy?
 
The topic I posted in earlier was before I verified my account. I came back
after I verified (about 10 mins later) and my post wasn't there. I started my
own topic soon after..(this one...)
Click to expand...


Erm, after looking back at what section I was in.. you are right. Sorry
about that. I'll look at the other post. Also, sorry to double post, doesn't
seem to be an Edit function on this forum.
 
SnappleMan said:
Erm, after looking back at what section I was in.. you are right.
Sorry about that. I'll look at the other post. Also, sorry to double
post, doesn't seem to be an Edit function on this forum.
Click to expand...


This isn't a forum. This is the microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
newsgroup. You are unfortunately participating in this newsgroup by using
the awful web-based interface. It's the reason for the problems and
confusion you're presently experiencing, and it's the slowest, clunkiest,
most error-prone method of participating in these newsgroups there is. Do
yourself a favor and switch to a newsreader, such as Outlook Express, which
comes with Windows. See
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
Back
Top