Microsoft VPC

[Jim in Canada]

I am interested in Microsoft's VPC software.

Am I going against the licencing agreement on installing the same copy of
Windows XP (along with the original instalation on the same PC) on a virtual
PC on the same computer? I hope I am not sounding to confusing. . . .

Jim

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You need an individual license in order to install and activate Windows XP
on two different drives installed in the same computer.

On the back of the Windows XP box, please read the statement
"For installation and use on one computer"
(see License Agreement for license terms).

To access the License Agreement on your XP computer, go to:

Start > Run and type: WINVER , and hit enter.

Then click on "End-User License Agreement".

You can also open XP's "Help and Support" and type: EULA
and hit enter. Click on "Questions and answers about the EULA".

The End-User License Agreement states quite clearly:

"You may install, use, access, display and run one copy
of the Software on a single computer...."

You can install one (1) copy of Windows XP on one (1) computer.
Additional installations requires additional licenses (Product Keys)
for each installation on a different computer.

HOW TO: Change the Product Key at the Time of Activation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;810892&Product=winxp

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

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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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|I am interested in Microsoft's VPC software.
|
| Am I going against the licencing agreement on installing the same copy of
| Windows XP (along with the original instalation on the same PC) on a virtual
| PC on the same computer? I hope I am not sounding to confusing. . . .
|
| Jim
|
|

 

[Jim in Canada]

Kind of hoping I could test out XP setups on the VPC before actually
installing them to the actual PC. Oh well.....

 

[Malke]

Kind of hoping I could test out XP setups on the VPC before actually
installing them to the actual PC. Oh well.....

Actually, while Carey's information sounds authoritative, this issue
hasn't been clarified by Microsoft. This exact issue has been raised
and in fact Mr. Alex Nichol (MVP) has asked for that clarification from
Microsoft, along with with other licensing issues. So the answer to
your question about whether you need a separate license for the XP you
are installing in a virtual setup is that "we don't know yet". Most of
the people who are beta testing various aspects of XP believe, as do I,
that you should not have to pay for an extra license and that the EULA
supports this. But we don't have the definitive answer from MS on that
yet. Hopefully we will soon, and equally hopefully we'll like the
answer. ;-)

Malke