Windows XP Professional

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pete S.
  • Start date Start date
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Pete S.

I have 2 computers at home and want to use XP on both of
them. Can I use the same copy on both computers? I only
purchased 1 copy. Do I have to have a unique copy for
each computer in my home?
 
Pete said:
I have 2 computers at home and want to use XP on both of
them. Can I use the same copy on both computers? I only
purchased 1 copy. Do I have to have a unique copy for
each computer in my home?
Click to expand...

Since Windows 3.11 (that would include Windows 3.11, Windows NT, Windows 95,
Windows 98, Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows XP) - you
could only install the OS in this fashion...

One License for the OS can be installed on one computer. For most
"end-users", this equates to "one original CD of the OS per computer."

The difference now is that Windows XP actually requires that you "activate"
your copy. If you have only one copy of the CD and you have not purchased
any extra licenses (from Microsoft or in some other way) then installing it
on more than one computer is breaking the agreement you AGREE to when
installing the OS on the computers and would require some tricky phone
conversations where you would be telling some lies to get it working for
you. Previous Windows Operating Systems did not have this limitation, so
you may have been breaking your agreement this whole time - but Microsoft
had no real way to enforce their side.

You can install that copy on both PCs then call Microsoft when you activate
(activate by phone) and tell them you would like to buy another license.
They should walk you through the necessities and happily take your credit
card information.
 
Greetings --

As it has *always* been with *all* Microsoft operating systems,
it's necessary (to be in compliance with both the EULA, if not
technically) to purchase one WinXP license for each computer on which
it is installed. 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.


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
 
Pete said:
I have 2 computers at home and want to use XP on both of
them. Can I use the same copy on both computers? I only
purchased 1 copy. Do I have to have a unique copy for
each computer in my home?
Click to expand...

Bruce said:
As it has *always* been with *all* Microsoft operating systems,
it's necessary (to be in compliance with both the EULA, if not
technically) to purchase one WinXP license for each computer on which
it is installed. 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.
Click to expand...

Bruce,

"to be in compliance with both the EULA, if not technically.."

Both the EULA and... what?
*grin*
 
Greetings --

Ok, Ok, I'll fix it. ;-} Thanks for pointing it out.

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
 
Pete said:
I have 2 computers at home and want to use XP on both of
them. Can I use the same copy on both computers? I only
purchased 1 copy. Do I have to have a unique copy for
each computer in my home?
Click to expand...

You may use the same disc on as many computers as you wish - so long as you
have a unique licence key for each.
 
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