Will a legit Vanilla WinXP Pro VLK work on a WinXP Pro with SP2?

[Thierry]

Here's the situation, I have this legit WinXP Pro VLK from a few years
ago and I want to use it on a fresh new windows install for my new rig.
However, the only proper Windows XP Pro CD I have is the one with SP2
included, will I be able to use the vanilla VLK on the new Win XP Pro
with SP2? The vanilla Windows XP Pro CD where the VLK comes from
apparently only works for the specific laptop that I owned.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Who actually owns the VL license? VL licenses are normally available only
to companies or business enterprises and are non-transferable to individuals.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

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:

| Here's the situation, I have this legit WinXP Pro VLK from a few years
| ago and I want to use it on a fresh new windows install for my new rig.
| However, the only proper Windows XP Pro CD I have is the one with SP2
| included, will I be able to use the vanilla VLK on the new Win XP Pro
| with SP2? The vanilla Windows XP Pro CD where the VLK comes from
| apparently only works for the specific laptop that I owned.
|

 

[Thierry]

I do, it came with the laptop that I bought a few years ago. It's on a
sticker underneath it, I want to use it on my brand new rig given that
I already paid for the copy of Windows in the past.

Thierry

 

[Thierry]

Maybe I should be more specific, I was confusing the term VLK with
Product Key. The Product is on a microsoft sticker underneath my
laptop. I hope I can use it on my brand new computer because I know I
can do that for other desktop products like Adobe Photoshop.

Thierry

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

The Product Key affixed to your laptop is likely an OEM version
of Windows XP. An OEM Windows XP license cannot be reused
or transferred to a different computer. That license is only valid
with the computer it came with.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­---------------------------------

:

Maybe I should be more specific, I was confusing the term VLK with
Product Key. The Product is on a microsoft sticker underneath my
laptop. I hope I can use it on my brand new computer because I know I
can do that for other desktop products like Adobe Photoshop.

Thierry

 

[cuba]

Licensing is so confusing.... yet should not be.

Everybody will tell you no. Emphatically. However, there are "Software
Licenses" and "Enforcable Software Licenses".

I am not going to argue with MVPs over just how enforcable (and
legitimate) an OEM Software License is with regard to usable "only on
the original computer". But typically, commercial software is such that
they can be run on "just one computer" at a time. This is a normal,
expected, legally supported definition of "software license". Why some
people seem to think that Operating Systems (or perhaps just Microsoft)
should get more control is a bit strange.

So, common sense says that software that comes on a CD is
transferable--between people and computers--as long as one retains the
"on just one computer" model. I.e. you remove the original
installation, then you transfer the software.

That said, newer versions Microsoft Windows probably will reject your
older KEY outright. I.e. a recent copy of XP will not see a pre SP1
release KEY as valid.

You posts have actually been not too clear to me. I take it you have a
new XP CD as well as an old computer with a printed KEY. You can try a
new installation and then enter the old KEY when prompted, but it
probably will be rejected.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I do, it came with the laptop that I bought a few years ago. It's on a
sticker underneath it, I want to use it on my brand new rig given that
I already paid for the copy of Windows in the past.

Then you don't have a Volume License. Based upon your description, you
have an OEM license for WinXP. An OEM version must be sold with a
piece of hardware (normally a motherboard or hard rive, if not an entire
PC) and is _permanently_ bound to the first PC on which it's installed.
An OEM license, once installed, is not legally transferable to another
computer under _any_ circumstances.



--

Bruce Chambers

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They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

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

 

[Thierry]

Which windows version should I get so that I can transfer it to another
computer in the future? That transfer will only happen if I get a brand
new computer and the old one will be discarded without ever be used
again.

Thierry

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Which windows version should I get so that I can transfer it to another
computer in the future? That transfer will only happen if I get a brand
new computer and the old one will be discarded without ever be used
again.

The retail licenses, such as the ones available through any retail
outlet, are transferable.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

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