Windows XP on 2 home computers

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cindy
  • Start date Start date
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Cindy

If I buy Windows XP for use on my home computer, can I
also install it on my kids' home computer (in the same
household) without having to buy another copy?
 
In
Cindy said:
If I buy Windows XP for use on my home computer, can I
also install it on my kids' home computer (in the same
household) without having to buy another copy?


No. The fact that they are in the same household is irrelevant.
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.
 
Windows XP can only be installed on one computer using one license
(Product Key). A second installation, on a different computer,
will require the purchase of a second Product Key (license).
Otherwise, you'll not be able to "activate" XP on the second PC.

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

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


| If I buy Windows XP for use on my home computer, can I
| also install it on my kids' home computer (in the same
| household) without having to buy another copy?
 
Cindy said:
If I buy Windows XP for use on my home computer, can I
also install it on my kids' home computer (in the same
household) without having to buy another copy?

Yes, as long as it is on one PC at a time, and it is a retail version :-).

If you need to buy two to have on both PCs, get the upgrade version(s), they
are much cheaper. Before you would buy, I would check to see if those PCs
can handle XP.

Go here, and read the relevant links that may apply to you:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/upgrading/default.mspx
 
Cindy said:
If I buy Windows XP for use on my home computer, can I
also install it on my kids' home computer (in the same
household) without having to buy another copy?

Additional Activations of Windows XP
http://microscum.com/mmpafaq/

How to become a MVP like Carey Frisch
http://microscum.com/crapolammpafaq/

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"
 
-----Original Message-----
If I buy Windows XP for use on my home computer, can I
also install it on my kids' home computer (in the same
household) without having to buy another copy?
.
Thank you to everyone who responded. I've been getting
different answers from retailers so I'm glad to have this
set straight.
 
If I buy Windows XP for use on my home computer, can I
also install it on my kids' home computer (in the same
household) without having to buy another copy?

You can "install" it on as many computers as you want. You can only
"activate" it on 1 computer.

You need to buy more licenses.
 
Greetings --

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

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.

You can buy additional licenses, assuming you have 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
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH
 
Cindy said:
If I buy Windows XP for use on my home computer, can I
also install it on my kids' home computer (in the same
household) without having to buy another copy?

No. Windows has always been supplied as a license to install on one
computer only, and it is exactly because so many people were doing what
you propose that the activation system was brought in to stop it. I
think there should be a form of reduced price family license,
recognising the saving in distribution costs, vendors markup, and not
providing support. But I am not holding my breath
 

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