Tell me it isn't true. Windows 7 installation

[tabbycat]

Is it true that you only get one installation from Windows 7 disc ????
Is there a way to get around this ?

Dang, one more reason to just hate Microsoft.

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

Is it true that you only get one installation from Windows 7 disc ????
Is there a way to get around this ?

Dang, one more reason to just hate Microsoft.

Before hating them you should get the facts straight. You can install Windows 7 as many times as you need from a single disc. The product key on the other hand does have limitations that vary on whether its OEM, or Retail.

 

[mpcrsc562]

Is it true that you only get one installation from Windows 7 disc ????
Is there a way to get around this ?

Dang, one more reason to just hate Microsoft.

Before hating them you should get the facts straight. You can install Windows 7 as many times as you need from a single disc. The product key on the other hand does have limitations that vary on whether its OEM, or Retail.

...And if I may contribute: If you install the 64 bit version, then you cannot at the same time install the 32 bit version. So, you do get one installation so to speak. If you are speaking of reinstalling it over and over, then DarkNovaGamer is definitely correct.

 

[Night Hawk]

Is it true that you only get one installation from Windows 7 disc ????
Is there a way to get around this ?

Dang, one more reason to just hate Microsoft.

Welcome to the Se7en Forums! tabbycat

You can have separate installs of the same edition on two separate drives if you want but are limited to only one machine at a time with the retail license and one machine if OEM or especially branded OEM. With the retail license if you upgrade out of one build you can then see 7 on the new machine just not being able to run both at the same time!

...And if I may contribute: If you install the 64 bit version, then you cannot at the same time install the 32 bit version. So, you do get one installation so to speak. If you are speaking of reinstalling it over and over, then DarkNovaGamer is definitely correct.

Incorrect! Both 64bit and 32bit installs are seen on separate hard drives here. Both actually two 64bit and one 32bit across 3 HDs are on and activated being on the same machine with the retail Ultimate disk.

The product key is what is tied to one system at a time only. MS isn't worried about how many times you install Windows on the exact same hardwares. The product key and type of key is the license to run MS software. When you buy a new program or game the same applies for the product key there as well.

 

[mpcrsc562]

Is it true that you only get one installation from Windows 7 disc ????
Is there a way to get around this ?

Dang, one more reason to just hate Microsoft.

Welcome to the Se7en Forums! tabbycat

You can have separate installs of the same edition on two separate drives if you want but are limited to only one machine at a time with the retail license and one machine if OEM or especially branded OEM. With the retail license if you upgrade out of one build you can then see 7 on the new machine just not being able to run both at the same time!

...And if I may contribute: If you install the 64 bit version, then you cannot at the same time install the 32 bit version. So, you do get one installation so to speak. If you are speaking of reinstalling it over and over, then DarkNovaGamer is definitely correct.

Incorrect! Both 64bit and 32bit installs are seen on separate hard drives here. Both actually two 64bit and one 32bit across 3 HDs are on and activated being on the same machine with the retail Ultimate disk.

The product key is what is tied to one system at a time only. MS isn't worried about how many times you install Windows on the exact same hardwares. The product key and type of key is the license to run MS software. When you buy a new program or game the same applies for the product key there as well.

I think I understand what you were trying to get across--but not fully--and the lack of info was my mistake. I meant to state that if you installed the 32 and 64 bit on the same machine at the same time using the same product key, that is not allowed.

I really didn't understand this:

Both 64bit and 32bit installs are seen on separate hard drives here. Both actually two 64bit and one 32bit across 3 HDs are on and activated being on the same machine with the retail Ultimate disk.

 

[pparks1]

Yes, you need to buy a separate license for each computer that you want to install Windows onto. This has always been this way with Windows....this is nothing new with Windows 7.

Unfortunately, the Windows OS is an additional expense that will account for 10-20% of the cost of a PC that you build on your own.

 

[win7clutz]

...Unfortunately, the Windows OS is an additional expense that will account for 10-20% of the cost of a PC that you build on your own.

It's shame that the OS has become such a significant cost of a new build, yet I never believed that MS should be a Non-Profit. I think they're pushing the envelope because of the lack of alternatives. Additionally, I don't know for certain but I've been told that the big OEM's like Dell and HP pay approx $27.00 for the product...

OT: pparks, just noticed the link to your build, very sweet!

 

[gregrocker]

I'd personally like to see more confirmation that 32/64 bit co-activations by the same Product Key can both exist on the same machine, whether on separate drives or partitions.

I can only remember one confirmation given for this, the rest has been speculation which seems to make sense and thus may be taken for granted.

Can others confirm?

 

[MadMaxData]

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.

 

[gregrocker]

Max, I'm not sure what is the possible bad info you're referring to. Can you clarify a bit?

There is frequently a misunderstanding that the OS can only be installed on one machine at a time. Some think this means it can only be installed once. Others confuse OS with Office rules that it can be installed on desktop and laptop.

I believe the OP was under the impression that OS can only be installed one time and never again. This seems to be what others are trying to correct.

The issue about 32/64 bit being activated both simulateously on the same machine is merely a side issue that seems to come up here about once a week, and as it appears to violate the EULA I would like to learn if anyone is actually doing it successfully since MS failing to block it might be the same permissiveness they've shown with qualifying XP/Vista being allowed to continue in dual boots with Upgraded Win7.

 

[MadMaxData]

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]

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...l/thread/4eebd74f-421e-4ee6-ae11-4b126382d0be

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/windows-vista/quick-start/activation-faq.aspx

 

[gregrocker]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

Agreed.