Question about Windows 7 retail full single license versus 3 pac .

H

Halfbaked

New member
I think this a pretty easy question for most of you but I need to understand better what I'm doing.
If I am reading the single license correctly it's only good for 1 pc at a time. Meaning that I can install it on another pc when I stop using the first one. This I should be able to do many times as the need arises. This also seems to be a more cost effective way of a small family/home builder doing it.

Conversely, the 3 pac lets me run up tp 3 pc's at a time and before I can add a fourth physical pc I need to stop using one of the other 3? Also cost effective, but perhaps not for a hobbyist like me.

Am I interpreting this correctly?

Any recommendations as to what reputable company is selling for the best price?
Thanks for any help.
H.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell XPS 15 L502X
OS
Windows 7 Pro x64
CPU
i5 2430M
Motherboard
Dell 0NJT03
Memory
6 G's
Graphics Card(s)
NVidia GE Force 540M
Sound Card
Nvidia High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus VW246H
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
Toshiba MIK5061 GSY
Case
Dell
Cooling
Air only
Keyboard
Dell
Mouse
MS Laser
Internet Speed
broadband 15 Mbit/s
Welcome
Yes you are correct, bottom line is one computer at a time.
For most purposes the use is unlimited; BUT if you get greedy and change computers excessively, MS may question it.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell XPS 420
OS
Windows 10, Home Clean Install
CPU
Intel Core2 processsor Q8200(2.33Ghz 1333FSB) Quad Core Tech
Motherboard
Dell
Memory
6 gb
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon 256MB HD3650
Sound Card
Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell SP2009W 20"
Hard Drives
640 GB Serial ATA Hard drive
Cooling
Fan
Keyboard
Dell USB Keyboard
Mouse
Dell Premium Optical USB
Internet Speed
DSL 2.85
For a hobbyist like me, a Microsoft TechNet subscription lets me run multiple PCs & multiple versions of OS's at the same time ;)
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Built them myself, Science Experiments !
OS
Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
CPU
AMD fx8350 4ghz, AMD-32 2400mhz, AMD-64 3200mhz, AMDx64 2.8G
Motherboard
SIS 755, ECS-K8M890M-M (Ult 7600), GigaByte & others
Memory
2gb, 4gb on the Ult 7600, 4gb on Technet RTM, 32gb on FX8350
Graphics Card(s)
Draw my own Graphics, several nVidia cards
Sound Card
on motherboard
Monitor(s) Displays
19" flat scr, 28" I-Inc widescr,22" Emprex Widescr, 23" Acer
Screen Resolution
1280 x 1024, 1440 x 900, 1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
6 pata Ide HD's & 2 Sata HD's
added 80gb external on Ult 7600 computer,
numerous extra 1tb, 2TB, 3Tb SATA HD's
A collection of ext HD Docks w/ HDs
PSU
430w, 550w, 600w, 700, 800, etc
Case
All Generic Full Towers
Cooling
Open Air & a few fans, some w/ colored LEDs
Keyboard
Compaq & Dell recycled from GoodWill
Mouse
Made in China Optical Wired Mouse
Internet Speed
Fast Cable InterNet
Antivirus
AVG Free on 24 different Desktops, NO Problems!
Browser
IE 8 is preferred, but use FireFox sometimes
Other Info
Linksys Routers, switches, & Hubs
Too Many USB Flash Drives to count, Biggest is 64GB !
Eight computers in my home network.
Sixteen computers at my business network.
Linked via TeamViewer !
Lots of old used spare computer parts everywhere!
Well I thing the license for one PC means "installed on one PC at a time". Just "not using" it doesn't qualify. Then to install using the same key on anther PC would require activation. If the key is already in use, one machine will become "This copy of windows is not valid".
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Built Desktop By DataTech
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
CPU
Intel i5-2550K, Differing ~4.4-4.8GHz No built in GPU
Motherboard
ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3
Memory
16GB G.Skill Sniper 1866MHz @ 2133MHz 2x8GB
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS GTX650TIB-DC2OC-2GD5, (650TI Boost)
Sound Card
Onboard Realtek 5-1
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung P2570HD
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD for OS, 500GB Seagate Constellation (Enterprise drive) for Data
PSU
Corsair HX650W
Case
Inwin Dragon Rider
Cooling
Hyper 212 EVO w/two Noctua fans, push-pull, @1300 RPM
Keyboard
E-Z Eyes, bright yellow keys with large characters
Mouse
steelseries SENSEI Laser Pro Gaming
Internet Speed
48-51Mbs Mbs down, 11 Mbs up Xfinity Cable
Antivirus
Norton Internet Security 2013
Browser
IE 10, Opera, Pale Moon if needed
Other Info
4 case fans, LG BluRay-RE, ASUS DVD-RW, Mr. Fusion power supply, 1.21 gigawatts.
Britton30 said:
Well I thing the license for one PC means "installed on one PC at a time". Just "not using" it doesn't qualify. Then to install using the same key on anther PC would require activation. If the key is already in use, one machine will become "This copy of windows is not valid".
Click to expand...

That is 100% correct. I may have understood the terms used and installed interchangablly, incorrectly.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell XPS 420
OS
Windows 10, Home Clean Install
CPU
Intel Core2 processsor Q8200(2.33Ghz 1333FSB) Quad Core Tech
Motherboard
Dell
Memory
6 gb
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon 256MB HD3650
Sound Card
Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell SP2009W 20"
Hard Drives
640 GB Serial ATA Hard drive
Cooling
Fan
Keyboard
Dell USB Keyboard
Mouse
Dell Premium Optical USB
Internet Speed
DSL 2.85
Yes, if you activate on a second system, the first one becomes deactived.
I am not sure how the 3 pack handles that. How it determines which one to deactivate.
I am not aware of any tool that you can use to deactivate a pc.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self Built
OS
Win 7 Ultimate 32bit
CPU
C2D E6600 2.4Ghz
Motherboard
Intel D965WH
Memory
4G Kingston KHX5400D2
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 570 HD SC (012-P3-1573-KR)
Sound Card
On-Board
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 226BW
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050
Hard Drives
2 x 250 Seagate Barracuda
2 x 500 Seagate Barracuda (Raid1)
PSU
Corsair TX750W
Case
In-Win C589
Cooling
Stock Intel Cooling

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Built
OS
Windows 10 Education 64 bit
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
Motherboard
Asus M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
Memory
8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
Graphics Card(s)
Zotac NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
Sound Card
VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
Screen Resolution
1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
Hard Drives
Crucial M100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
PSU
Thermaltake TR 620
Case
Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
Cooling
Stock heatsink and fan
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
Mouse
Logitech Wireless M570 Trackman Wheel
Internet Speed
80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
Antivirus
Windows Defender
Browser
Internet Explorer 11
Other Info
HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Well, isn't that interesting. You learn something new all the time around here.
And that is probably what I would do if I had the 3 pack to deactivate the system I was getting rid of and activate the new one.

Edit:
However, I am assuming that it's a single license for 3 PC's, not 3 individual licenses in the Family 3 Pack. So, my point could be moot.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self Built
OS
Win 7 Ultimate 32bit
CPU
C2D E6600 2.4Ghz
Motherboard
Intel D965WH
Memory
4G Kingston KHX5400D2
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 570 HD SC (012-P3-1573-KR)
Sound Card
On-Board
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 226BW
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050
Hard Drives
2 x 250 Seagate Barracuda
2 x 500 Seagate Barracuda (Raid1)
PSU
Corsair TX750W
Case
In-Win C589
Cooling
Stock Intel Cooling
Last edited:
Tepid said:
Well, isn't that interesting. You learn something new all the time around here.
And that is probably what I would do if I had the 3 pack to deactivate the system I was getting rid of and activate the new one.

Edit:
However, I am assuming that it's a single license for 3 PC's, not 3 individual licenses in the Family 3 Pack. So, my point could be moot.
Click to expand...

Ya, it is 1 key and you use it on up to 3 machines. I recently upgraded 2 machines to Win 7 for a friend and used the Family Pack.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HAL-9000
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
CPU
Intel i7 3770K
Motherboard
Asus Sabertooth Z77
Memory
16GB DDR3 1333 Corsair XMS3
Graphics Card(s)
XFX HD6950 2GB EyeFinity
Sound Card
Logitech G35 & Sennheiser PC135 & VIA HD
Monitor(s) Displays
23" HP 2310e, 23" Samsung B2230, 21.5" Viewsonic
Screen Resolution
5760x1080
Hard Drives
16TB of Storage
128GB & 256GB Crucial M4 SSD's, 2X 1TB WD Black, 3x 2TB WD, 3x 2TB Samsung F4, 1.5TB Seagate, WD 500GB,
PSU
Antec True Power New 650watt
Case
Cooler Master HAF-932
Cooling
Corsair H60 Hydro Cooler, 3x 230mm Fans, 2x120mm Fan
Keyboard
Logitech G15 and G13
Mouse
Logitech G700 Gaming Mouse
Internet Speed
50/10 Mbit
Other Info
Speakers : Alesis M1 Active Mk2 Studio Monitors , APC RS 1200 UPS, HP 4500DN Color Laser, HP P1006 mono Laser, Kodak 8500 Dye-Sub, Epson 1280 inkjet, Epson Worforce 610 MFC
So then that link from Alpha is good to know for the family pack.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self Built
OS
Win 7 Ultimate 32bit
CPU
C2D E6600 2.4Ghz
Motherboard
Intel D965WH
Memory
4G Kingston KHX5400D2
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 570 HD SC (012-P3-1573-KR)
Sound Card
On-Board
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 226BW
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050
Hard Drives
2 x 250 Seagate Barracuda
2 x 500 Seagate Barracuda (Raid1)
PSU
Corsair TX750W
Case
In-Win C589
Cooling
Stock Intel Cooling
Thank you to everybody that helped me.
I bought a single license full retail box earlier this morning.
H.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell XPS 15 L502X
OS
Windows 7 Pro x64
CPU
i5 2430M
Motherboard
Dell 0NJT03
Memory
6 G's
Graphics Card(s)
NVidia GE Force 540M
Sound Card
Nvidia High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus VW246H
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
Toshiba MIK5061 GSY
Case
Dell
Cooling
Air only
Keyboard
Dell
Mouse
MS Laser
Internet Speed
broadband 15 Mbit/s
You are welcome.:)
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Built Desktop By DataTech
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
CPU
Intel i5-2550K, Differing ~4.4-4.8GHz No built in GPU
Motherboard
ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3
Memory
16GB G.Skill Sniper 1866MHz @ 2133MHz 2x8GB
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS GTX650TIB-DC2OC-2GD5, (650TI Boost)
Sound Card
Onboard Realtek 5-1
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung P2570HD
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD for OS, 500GB Seagate Constellation (Enterprise drive) for Data
PSU
Corsair HX650W
Case
Inwin Dragon Rider
Cooling
Hyper 212 EVO w/two Noctua fans, push-pull, @1300 RPM
Keyboard
E-Z Eyes, bright yellow keys with large characters
Mouse
steelseries SENSEI Laser Pro Gaming
Internet Speed
48-51Mbs Mbs down, 11 Mbs up Xfinity Cable
Antivirus
Norton Internet Security 2013
Browser
IE 10, Opera, Pale Moon if needed
Other Info
4 case fans, LG BluRay-RE, ASUS DVD-RW, Mr. Fusion power supply, 1.21 gigawatts.
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