Reassign License to Another Device?

[SoxFanInVA]

I am running Vista Premium on an older box right now. That Vista license is
a full retail version which I installed. Performance is not where I want it
to be so I am going to buy a Dual Core from Dell. I don't want to
re-purchase Vista from Dell or elsewhere so I'm wondering if I can buy an XP
Home box, wipe that drive, reinstall Vista Premium and do so legally. I
won't use the old machine anymore after restoring the data to the new
machine.

Is there anything I need to do with Microsoft for the transfer or will the
new machine automatically overtake the other license?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Tom Porterfield]

I am running Vista Premium on an older box right now. That Vista license is
a full retail version which I installed. Performance is not where I want it
to be so I am going to buy a Dual Core from Dell. I don't want to
re-purchase Vista from Dell or elsewhere so I'm wondering if I can buy an XP
Home box, wipe that drive, reinstall Vista Premium and do so legally. I
won't use the old machine anymore after restoring the data to the new
machine.

Is there anything I need to do with Microsoft for the transfer or will the
new machine automatically overtake the other license?

There is nothing you can do with Microsoft prior to the transfer. After
you install on the new box, activation will likely fail if you choose to
allow it to try to activate over the internet. Choose the option to
activate by phone. That process is quite straightforward and will get
you going with the transferred license.

 

[Richard Urban]

The operating system is included in the price of the Dell computer, unless
you opt out of the operating system. I would get the computer with the
operating system and save your retail purchase for whatever. You won't save
a lot by buying the computer without the O/S.

By all means, get the Dell without their loaded crapware. It is now an
option on some models. You don't need it - you don't want it - it will
likely cause problems with the computer

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Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)