New Copy of XP-Can I install on more than one computer?

  • Thread starter Thread starter HTurner
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HTurner

I recently perchased a new computer with Win. XP. What I would like t
know is, can I intall the xp software on my old computer and registe
it without any problems or is this illegal? thank
 
HTurner said:
I recently perchased a new computer with Win. XP. What I would like to
know is, can I intall the xp software on my old computer and register
it without any problems or is this illegal? thanks
Click to expand...

No. 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.
 
HTurner said:
I recently perchased a new computer with Win. XP. What I would like to
know is, can I intall the xp software on my old computer and register
it without any problems or is this illegal? thanks
Click to expand...


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

First of all, your new computer has an OEM license for WinXP.
An OEM version must be sold with a piece of hardware (normally a
motherboard or hard drive, 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.

Secondly, 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.


--

Bruce Chambers

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