transfer licence?

[jarsek]

Hi,

Does anyone know if Microsoft allows you to transfer the licence key (for
say Vista) to another computer if the the first computer becomes irreparably
damaged?

I'm guessing no, but can anyone confirm?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Does anyone know if Microsoft allows you to transfer the licence
key (for say Vista) to another computer if the the first computer
becomes irreparably damaged?

I'm guessing no, but can anyone confirm?

Not enough information.

There are several different license types (like OEM, Retail, Volume, etc.)
and your answer would depend on the type.

If OEM (usually the type that comes with third-tier computers and laptops
like Dell, HP, Gateway, Lenovo, Packard Bell, etc and so on) - then thanks
to the licensing type said third-tier vendor chose (to make things less
expensive for them/you) - OEM - then no - you cannot transfer your license
to a new computer.

If retail (you bought it from a store and it came in a nice box, etc...) -
uninstall it on one, install it on another. Rinse and repeat until you tire
or die.

Volume and so on are also a bit looser than OEM licenses. That is one of
the reasons it is less expensive.

 

[webster72n]

Hi,

Does anyone know if Microsoft allows you to transfer the licence key (for
say Vista) to another computer if the the first computer becomes
irreparably damaged?

I'm guessing no, but can anyone confirm?

Why wouldn't they, as long as you are the owner (buyer) and have the CD/DVD
to prove it.
But that would be a guess, too.

Harry.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi,

Does anyone know if Microsoft allows you to transfer the licence key (for
say Vista) to another computer if the the first computer becomes irreparably
damaged?

I'm guessing no, but can anyone confirm?

If it's a retail copy, yes, you can move it from computer to computer
for any reason at all, as often as you need to or want to. The only
restriction is that it may not be on two computers at once.

But if it's an OEM copy, the license is tied to the first computer
it's installed on and it may never be moved to another, not even if
the original computer dies or is stolen.

 

[xfile]

Hi,

As others said, one cannot transfer an OEM license *to* another
computer(brand new or used), but it doesn't prohibit one from repairing the
system including replacing critical components(e.g. motherboard, CPU, DRAM,
VGA card, and/or HDD).

So unless all critical components failed at the same time, one can legally
use the existing license for replacing failed components.

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

EXCUSE THE EMAIL ADDY.

But Ken your wrong on this one

Nope, what I said is correct; it's what the license permits you to do
or not to do.

I have nought OEM versions before and if a
component died or blew up Mircosoft let me re use the install CD many times

Then you were very fortunate in finding Microsoft employees who were
nice to you. That doesn't change what the rules are.

as a matter of fact my computer blew up using XP more than 50 times

You had one computer blow up 50 times? Wow! That's extraordinary, but
it sure sounds like a terrible computer.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

You had one computer blow up 50 times? Wow! That's extraordinary, but
it sure sounds like a terrible computer.

I have seen reviews referring to a computer as dynamite...

One of them must be what Mr. Jon pope bought

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have seen reviews referring to a computer as dynamite...

One of them must be what Mr. Jon pope bought

LOL!

 

[xfile]

Then you were very fortunate in finding Microsoft employees who were

nice to you. That doesn't change what the rules are.

If you read his statement (see below), it has nothing to do with what you
said and it's perfectly legitimate.

[...]if a
component died or blew up Mircosoft let me re use the install CD many
times
as a matter of fact my computer blew up using XP more than 50 times.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

If you read his statement (see below), it has nothing to do with what you
said and it's perfectly legitimate.

You are right. He said "component" and I missed it. Sorry.

Changing a component and reinstalling Windows in the same computer can
be done with OEM copy as often as you need to or want to. Not a
problem.

[...]if a
component died or blew up Mircosoft let me re use the install CD many
times
as a matter of fact my computer blew up using XP more than 50 times.

 

[xfile]

[...]I missed it.

No problem.

If you read his statement (see below), it has nothing to do with what you
said and it's perfectly legitimate.

You are right. He said "component" and I missed it. Sorry.

Changing a component and reinstalling Windows in the same computer can
be done with OEM copy as often as you need to or want to. Not a
problem.

[...]if a
component died or blew up Mircosoft let me re use the install CD many
times
as a matter of fact my computer blew up using XP more than 50 times.

On Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:05:40 -0700, "Mr. Jon Pope"

EXCUSE THE EMAIL ADDY.

But Ken your wrong on this one


Nope, what I said is correct; it's what the license permits you to do
or not to do.


I have nought OEM versions before and if a
component died or blew up Mircosoft let me re use the install CD many
times


Then you were very fortunate in finding Microsoft employees who were
nice to you. That doesn't change what the rules are.


as a matter of fact my computer blew up using XP more than 50 times


You had one computer blow up 50 times? Wow! That's extraordinary, but
it sure sounds like a terrible computer.







Hi,

Does anyone know if Microsoft allows you to transfer the licence
key
(for
say Vista) to another computer if the the first computer becomes
irreparably
damaged?

I'm guessing no, but can anyone confirm?



If it's a retail copy, yes, you can move it from computer to
computer
for any reason at all, as often as you need to or want to. The only
restriction is that it may not be on two computers at once.

But if it's an OEM copy, the license is tied to the first computer
it's installed on and it may never be moved to another, not even if
the original computer dies or is stolen.

 

[jarsek]

Very interesting! Thanks for your reply.

Jim

Not enough information.

There are several different license types (like OEM, Retail, Volume, etc.)
and your answer would depend on the type.

If OEM (usually the type that comes with third-tier computers and laptops
like Dell, HP, Gateway, Lenovo, Packard Bell, etc and so on) - then thanks
to the licensing type said third-tier vendor chose (to make things less
expensive for them/you) - OEM - then no - you cannot transfer your license
to a new computer.

If retail (you bought it from a store and it came in a nice box, etc...) -
uninstall it on one, install it on another. Rinse and repeat until you
tire or die.

Volume and so on are also a bit looser than OEM licenses. That is one of
the reasons it is less expensive.

 

[jarsek]

Thank you for the info!

Jim

If it's a retail copy, yes, you can move it from computer to computer
for any reason at all, as often as you need to or want to. The only
restriction is that it may not be on two computers at once.

But if it's an OEM copy, the license is tied to the first computer
it's installed on and it may never be moved to another, not even if
the original computer dies or is stolen.

 

[jarsek]

It does help and thank you!

Jim

Hi,

As others said, one cannot transfer an OEM license *to* another
computer(brand new or used), but it doesn't prohibit one from repairing
the system including replacing critical components(e.g. motherboard, CPU,
DRAM, VGA card, and/or HDD).

So unless all critical components failed at the same time, one can legally
use the existing license for replacing failed components.

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[Kevin John Panzke]

jarsek wrote: > Hi, > > Does anyone know if Microsoft allows you to
transfer the licence key (for > say Vista) to another computer if the
the first computer becomes irreparably > damaged? > > I'm guessing no,
but can anyone confirm? > > Thanks, > > Jim

 

[xfile]

You're welcome and good luck.

It does help and thank you!

Jim

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thank you for the info!

You're welcome. Glad to help.

 

[Peter Webb]

Back in the days of Windows 3.1, I progressively upgraded every component
in my PC except for the cable which connected the IDE drive to the power
supply.

As far as I was concerned, it was still the same PC, and as far as I could
see this did not contravene any OEM licensing.

 

[xfile]

As far as I know, it's a typical behavior of an enthusiast, and what else do
they want to sell OEM copies in the retail channel if it's not for
enthusiasts to play, test, and blow up their machines to learn?

 

[jarsek]

Ahhhhh... Windows 3.1 I feel a flash of nostalgia coming on. tada!