using Windows on two computers

[Guest]

i have Windows installed on one computer and i want to install Windows on my
other computer. would there be any problems with activating Windows on the
second computer because i only have one copy of the Windows cd.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

i have Windows installed on one computer and i want to install
Windows on my other computer. would there be any problems with
activating Windows on the second computer because i only have one
copy of the Windows cd.

You can *not* legally do this.

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.

 

[Hertz_Donut]

i have Windows installed on one computer and i want to install Windows on
my
other computer. would there be any problems with activating Windows on
the
second computer because i only have one copy of the Windows cd.

You can only install your *ONE* copy of Windows on *ONE* computer.

Honu

 

[Bruce Chambers]

i have Windows installed on one computer and i want to install Windows on my
other computer. would there be any problems with activating Windows on the
second computer because i only have one copy of the Windows cd.

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

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