XP Professional and licensing

[Guest]

I know this question has been asked in it's various forms before. I have
searched the posts, but I am more confused than ever. Here is my issue. I
have 2 desktops and 1 laptop, all with OEM installed Windows XP Home Edition.
I want to upgrade to Windows XP Professional. I understand from my reading
that each packaged software of Professional is for one computer only. From
the many websites and conflicting information, I believe I have three
options: 1. purchase 3 full packaged upgrades, 2. purchase one upgrade
then enter the product key and buy 2 additional licenses, or 3. purchase Open
License Value for 5 computers. I don't forsee ever having 5 computers in my
home. Which option would be most cost effective? I apologize in advance if
my question is trivial, but the more I attempt to research this issue on my
own, the more conflicting information I find. Please help!

 

[Guest]

If you already have a retail copy of Windows XP, you can obtain
additional licenses for another computer or laptop by visiting the
following Microsoft Web site:
http://shop.microsoft.com/special/wal/walinfo.asp

 

[Guest]

thanks so much. So I purchase an upgrade of Professional since I have XP
Home and then go to the link you provided to enter my product key to purchase
additional licenses, correct? Or does my purchase of Professional have to be
the full version?

 

[Guest]

You can go to that link Carey gave to purchase additional Windows XP Pro
upgrade licenses after you purchase the first one.

Are you expecting to change the computers where Windows XP will be installed
anytime soon? Upgrade licenses require that you have an eligible version
(e.g. Win XP hoem) installed on the computer you're upgrading. But since you
have an OEM license on all computers, then any new computer you buy will need
to have an eligible OS for upgrade first before you can transfer your upgrade
license to that computer. You will not be able to transfer your current OEM
licenses.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I know this question has been asked in it's various forms before. I have
searched the posts, but I am more confused than ever. Here is my issue. I
have 2 desktops and 1 laptop, all with OEM installed Windows XP Home Edition.
I want to upgrade to Windows XP Professional. I understand from my reading
that each packaged software of Professional is for one computer only.

That's correct. As things now stand, 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.)

From
the many websites and conflicting information, I believe I have three
options:

1. purchase 3 full packaged upgrades,

This would probably be the most economical solution. 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

2. purchase one upgrade
then enter the product key and buy 2 additional licenses,

Actually, you'd have to buy the two additional licenses first, and use
those two new Product Keys for the 2nd & 3rd installations.

or 3. purchase Open
License Value for 5 computers.

I'm not sure whether or not any of Microsoft's Open or Select License
programs are available to home users, although it certainly would be
nice if Microsoft were to offer some sort of Household Licensing plan.
So this may not really be any option.

I don't forsee ever having 5 computers in my
home. Which option would be most cost effective?

I think that you'll most likely save the most money by purchasing 3
retail Upgrades from a discount retailer, or from a reputable on-line
dealer. Avoid eBay, if possible. One should be very careful buying any
software on eBay, as eBay makes no prior effort to ensure that such
sales are legitimate; they react only when someone files a complaint.
(And then all that really happens is the seller of the pirated software
returns using a different alias, to continue selling illegitimate
licenses.)


--

Bruce Chambers

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