Transfering XP Pro licensing and activation???

R

Roger Beniot

I'm hoping this is a basic question w/ a basic answer (please post
reply to newsgroup).

I installed XP Pro on an old machine for my in-laws (about a year ago).
I have now purchased them a new computer, but it came w/ XP Home.

I would like to upgrade the new machine from Home to Pro. I will be
removing XP Pro from the old machine & reformatting the hard drive.
The MS site indicates this is possible, but doesn't mention anything
about licensing restrictions or activation.

I tried to find the licensing agreement to see what it said about
transfer a license to another computer but couldn't find it.

I'm also curious how the activation process will go... Will I be able
to just do the online activation or will I need to do the phone
activation since I'm transferring a license.

Thanks,
Roger
 
Y

Yves Leclerc

Your new system came with XP Home pre-installed on it. This version is
consider OEM and as part of the OEM license agreement, it can not be
transferred to another else nor can it be installed on a different PC,
officially.
 
R

Roger Beniot

Yves...

I'm not trying to transfer the XP Home license... I want to upgrade
from Home to XP Pro (retail purchase) using the license I have for XP
Pro from an old machine (as stated I will remove XP Pro from the old
machine before upgrading the new machine from Home to Pro).

-Roger
 
B

Bruce Chambers

Roger said:
I'm hoping this is a basic question w/ a basic answer (please post
reply to newsgroup).

I installed XP Pro on an old machine for my in-laws (about a year ago).
I have now purchased them a new computer, but it came w/ XP Home.

I would like to upgrade the new machine from Home to Pro. I will be
removing XP Pro from the old machine & reformatting the hard drive.
The MS site indicates this is possible, but doesn't mention anything
about licensing restrictions or activation.

I tried to find the licensing agreement to see what it said about
transfer a license to another computer but couldn't find it.

I'm also curious how the activation process will go... Will I be able
to just do the online activation or will I need to do the phone
activation since I'm transferring a license.

Thanks,
Roger


Assuming a retail license (OEM licenses are not legitimately
transferable), simply remove WinXP from the computer it is currently on
and then install it on the new computer. If it's been more than 120
days since you last activated that specific Product Key, the you'll most
likely be able to activate via the Internet without problem. If it's
been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

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