The Extent of an XP Pro License

W

W. Watson

I've had XP Pro on one computer for 2-3 years now, but have acquired two
additional PC that I've put W2K on. Is the license for XP Pro for a single
computer, or can one put it on additional computers?
 
M

Malke

W. Watson said:
I've had XP Pro on one computer for 2-3 years now, but have acquired two
additional PC that I've put W2K on. Is the license for XP Pro for a
single computer, or can one put it on additional computers?

As always, all MS operating systems are licensed for only one computer
at a time. With XP, MS created the activation system to enforce this.

So no, you cannot put it on additional computers.


Malke
 
X

XS11E

W. Watson said:
So do I discount on a second and third XP Pro? :)

You could buy the license only and save a little. I'm not sure you'd
save much, check prices on Amazon.com and Newegg.com, etc.
 
K

Ken Blake, MVP

I've had XP Pro on one computer for 2-3 years now, but have acquired two
additional PC that I've put W2K on. Is the license for XP Pro for a single
computer, or can one put it on additional computers?


No. 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.
 
W

W. Watson

Surprisingly, when I went to Fry's Electronics in Roseville/Sacramento today
the prices on XP were not as outrageous as they once were. Maybe Amazon or
NewEgg.com is a better place to shop than Fry's.
 
B

Bruce Chambers

W. Watson said:
I've had XP Pro on one computer for 2-3 years now, but have acquired two
additional PC that I've put W2K on. Is the license for XP Pro for a
single computer, or can one put it on additional computers?



You need to purchase a separate WinXP license for each computer on
which you install it.

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

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safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

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

W. Watson

The prices on Amazon and NewEgg didn't seem that wonderful, unless one is
considering OEM. I'm headed back to Fry's today to look at MB choices, and
will look more closely at their XP prices.

In the end, I have a way to get low prices w/o the OEM or the two sources
above.
 
D

dobey

Actually if you have Win95 or later, (says Win98 on the box but Win95 on the
EULA when installing), and a student uses the PC you can get retail academic
upgrade edition quite cheaply. Portable also.

W. Watson said:
The prices on Amazon and NewEgg didn't seem that wonderful, unless one is
considering OEM. I'm headed back to Fry's today to look at MB choices, and
will look more closely at their XP prices.

In the end, I have a way to get low prices w/o the OEM or the two sources
above.
<snip>
 

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