Tell me it isn't true. Windows 7 installation

MadMaxData · 24 Mar 2010

I guess I did misunderstand then. I had the impression that people were saying you can only run the OS on one computer at a time with the same key. That's not correct. I've installed XP-Pro on many PC's and had them running at the same time. I can pretty much install XP-Pro wherever, whenever, and as many times as I want. I just use the same registration info every time, and never had even a hint at a problem with MS about it. However, I DO NOT give out my license, or install the OS for anyone....period. It's exclusively for my use only.

pparks1 · 24 Mar 2010

MadMaxData said:

This thread is rather confusing. I believe some bad info might be posted here. I've owned at least 10 rigs since Windows XP-Pro has come out, and I've installed it at least 50 different times [and that's a very conservative number] between all those rigs. Windows activates every time, and passes validation every time. It's an OEM CD too, that I bought from TigerDirect.com.

Technically you are not allowed to move an OEM copy from one physical machine to another machine. If it worked, it worked....but that's not the way the license is supposed to work.

As far as reinstalling onto the same machine...you can do that as often as you want with a single copy and a single license.

However, if you own a desktop computer and you waltz into Best Buy and buy a retail copy of Windows 7 then you can install that onto your desktop computer. But you aren't supposed to take that same copy and pop it into your laptop and install it there as well....unless you remove it from the desktop computer.

This isn't bad information...it's the way that MS intends this to work. There will always be people who work around it, hack it, pirate it, and otherwise use it in an illegal manner.

Here is a posting from the Microsoft Technet forums discussing this belief that you can do multiple installs without issue;
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/...1-4b126382d0be

And a link from a Microsoft website that has a question specifically on Vista and how many times it can be installed and the answer says 1
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...ation-faq.aspx

gregrocker · 24 Mar 2010

MadMaxData said:

I guess I did misunderstand then. I had the impression that people were saying you can only run the OS on one computer at a time with the same key. That's not correct. I've installed XP-Pro on many PC's and had them running at the same time. I can pretty much install XP-Pro wherever, whenever, and as many times as I want. I just use the same registration info every time, and never had even a hint at a problem with MS about it. However, I DO NOT give out my license, or install the OS for anyone....period. It's exclusively for my use only.

Max, what type of license do you have for this multiple-install XP? Is it a volume license or technet subscription license which allows multiple installs?

Frankly I have never heard of any Windows OS allowing the same key to be used more than once except for Technet or bulk licensing.

It would certainly violate the EULA.

MadMaxData · 24 Mar 2010

Well, all I can give is my own personal experience. I don't think MS has a problem with you installing on different machines if you actually bought their OS from a retailer. If your legit, then your not the one that MS is going to hound. I've registered XP-Pro every single time I've installed it too. MS recieves that info I'm sure. They obviously don't have a problem with my use of their software. MS isn't the big bad ugly many people make them out to be. I have some issues with MS, but this definately isn't one of them.

MadMaxData · 24 Mar 2010

gregrocker said:

Max, what type of license do you have for this multiple-install XP? Is it a bulk license or technet subscription license which allows multiple installs?

Frankly I have never heard of any Windows OS allowing the same key to be used more than once except for Technet or bulk licensing.

It would certainly violate the EULA.

It's just a plain ole' Windows XP-Pro SP2 [which I've slipstreamed SP3 into]. It's an OEM CD that I bought from TigerDirect shortly after SP2 came out. So it's been awhile. I'm sure the fact that it's never been registered in anyone elses name makes some kind of difference.

pparks1 · 24 Mar 2010

MadMaxData said:

Well, all I can give is my own personal experience. I don't think MS has a problem with you installing on different machines if you actually bought their OS from a retailer. If your legit, then your not the one that MS is going to hound. I've registered XP-Pro every single time I've installed it too. MS recieves that info I'm sure. They obviously don't have a problem with my use of their software. MS isn't the big bad ugly many people make them out to be. I have some issues with MS, but this definately isn't one of them.

Phone up Microsoft and let them know. while they aren't going to outright come after you for piracy, I'm sure they would tell you that you are violating the license agreement.

While I don't think that MS is the big bad monster either, you might feel a bit differently about them if you had to buy 10 licenses for those 10 machines that you installed to.

MadMaxData · 24 Mar 2010

pparks1 said:

Phone up Microsoft and let them know.

For what? I don't even use it anymore....LOL

While I don't think that MS is the big bad monster either, you might feel a bit differently about them if you had to buy 10 licenses for those 10 machines that you installed to.

I'm sure I would. I would probably run Linux instead.

By the way, Windows 7 is different in this regard. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the OS sends MS your hardware profile. But don't quote me on that.

tabbycat · 24 Mar 2010

Thanks to all of you replying to my inquiry.

Ok, so I gather that if the install is on the same machine, then you can reinstall
it as many times as you want. Is that right ? I got some friends that are having
problems doing that, this is why I am asking before I put it on my computer.

I am a pc troubleshooter and I use my computer many times as a guinea pig
as I determine what is going on with my clients machines. It can get pretty messed up and so I like to collasp my partitions, then recreate the partitions, then reformat and then install Windows. This way I know I am starting with a clean
machine.

So you can see now why I am concerned about how many times I can reinstall
Windows.

Plus, I hate Microsoft for a lot of reasons. They write software that takes more and more control of my computer away from me. Have you ever tried to delete
windows from your hard drive? You reboot and it's all back. There is a hidden code
that puts it all back so collasping the partitions is the only way to get rid of that
hidden code. Back in the 1980's Microsoft got caught putting in hidden code that
was spyware. It went to court and MS lost.
I legal own Windows and I should be able to put it on my computer as many times
as I want to, the same computer of course, without having to call Ma and Pa
Microsoft to get their ok with a magic number.

Again thank you to all who responded. I will tell my friends what you all have said
and maybe they can reinstall Windows 7 without having to buy another copy.

Tabbycat

whs · 24 Mar 2010

I am a pc troubleshooter and I use my computer many times as a guinea pig
as I determine what is going on with my clients machines. It can get pretty messed up and so I like to collasp my partitions, then recreate the partitions, then reformat and then install Windows. This way I know I am starting with a clean
machine.

For that purpose you would be much better off with imaging. Why go thru the pain of reinstalling everything when you can pull up yesterdays image in 20 minutes.

MadMaxData · 24 Mar 2010

tabbycat said:

I legal own Windows and I should be able to put it on my computer as many times as I want to...Tabbycat

Agreed.