Stay on Top of Recent Windows Licensing Changes

[A Guy]

There have recently been some quiet but important licensing changes to Windows. They’re not going to change your life, but they’re definitely worth knowing more about. If staying on top of your Windows licensing situation is important to you—and it should be—read on.

Source

A Guy

 

[Layback Bear]

That certainly didn't remove the confusion I have. I'm still lost I think.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

Does this mean that INDIVIDUALS can now buy ENTERPRISE. If so that could be welcome for "Roving Consultants" who would like to use the very handy "Windows to Go" system.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Layback Bear]

I'm wondering if it is a retail version. So if need be one can take it off of one computer and install it on another one. It's foggy to me.

 

[andrew129260]

I don't understand the whole thing with the oem changes.

Before, if I had a oem copy and I replaced my motherboard cause it died or whatever; I called Microsoft and spoke with someone, and got it activated and called it a day.

With these new rules it seems like that is no longer the case?

 

[Jonguy30]

Why does microsoft like to create so much confusion?

The only thing I understood is that you can't move certain windows licenses to other computers. And that you need a certain something to move windows licenses. Or, I don't know.

 

[McRuff]

Looks to me like these changes are only about Enterprise and Software Assurance. Not normal home or small business users

 

[windude99]

I wish Microsoft would stop with all of the stupid restrictions they put on their licenses and make it simple. Here is how it SHOULD look:
1. Don't pirate
2. Spend lots of cash on Microsoft products
3. Don't use volume license keys at home
4. OEM copies are OK to use. No confusion here.
5. We won't enforce any of the rules except #1 and #2, so the rest don't matter anyway.

Very simple. They should hire me as the person who writes this stuff.

 

[Layback Bear]

Microsoft is trying to slow down counterfeiting in my opinion. This thread of thought will travel through all their products.

I'm thinking it will come down to for business; If the business need 100 copies of Windows Enterprise they will get 100 COA's. Activate each computer on it own COA.
Network them as they see fit. They will be Retail versions with a volume discount.
They will be able to install the 100 Windows Enterprise on any computers they want to as long as it is one computer at a time.

I like that idea even for someone like me with two or three computers.

I want to buy them, activate them, and move them if I so desire. As long as one Windows on one computer at one time.

**Get rid of oem/slp. Get rid of oem.**

If HP needs a million copies, give them a discount for volume. Other than that it should be the same as any other buyer of Windows. Any store bought computer with Windows should come with a Windows DVD.
A copy of Windows 9 HP/Pro/Ultimate/Enterprise should all be the same and activated the same way for everybody.

This would also make it easier for Microsoft.
All they would have to monitor when it comes to activation would be.

*What operating system was purchased and is it activated properly.
*Is it only on one system.

In the end what does the owner of a computer with Windows have.

*A computer with Windows installed and its own COA activated and a Windows DVD.

DONE.

 

[alphanumeric]

I don't understand the whole thing with the oem changes.

Before, if I had a oem copy and I replaced my motherboard cause it died or whatever; I called Microsoft and spoke with someone, and got it activated and called it a day.

With these new rules it seems like that is no longer the case?

If it's a factory OEM Windows 8.x install, the product code / license is baked into the BIOS and locked to that motherboard. Those wouldn't be transferable anyway. The new replacement board, if obtained from that same OEM, would have a new code and a new license. An off the shelf replacement board won't have a baked in product code so you would have no choice but to buy Windows for it.
Now, I think in the past, Microsoft was just being nice in letting you transfer your store bought OEM Windows to new hardware. I don't think they had to, according to the EULA. I don't claim to understand it or the new rules but that was my understanding. It was a "in good faith" gesture. It's also my understanding that the OEM versions are cheaper because of the tighter restrictions. If you want transferability your better off buying the Retail version.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

What Ms needs to introduce is say a FAMILY license -- say a "semi volume license" to be able to be used on up to 5 machines. This makes it very simple for irrespective of the hardware being used to have in the home a "Standard" copy of Windows which is easily repairable when it breaks as it does inevitably if you have any kids using computers.

It's much easier to deal with a "Standard" image than 5 different versions etc -- and also it helps the person setting it up to be able to experiment a bit before doing the final activations.

Even "Singles" rarely have just ONE computer in the home any more -- in W.Europe I think the average is about 4 per household !!.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

...If you want transferability your better off buying the Retail version.

I agree. Now if only M$ would make Retail available longer like they do with OEM.

 

[andrew129260]

If you want transferability your better off buying the Retail version.

If you can find it. That is the problem. I had to buy oem cause retail seven was not available.
They should not force you to buy oem when the product is still in a very decent lifecycle. I understand a year or so from the end date to stop selling retail ones, but we still have 6 years before windows 7 is unsupported.

Hi there

What Ms needs to introduce is say a FAMILY license ...

Agreed. There was the windows 7 family pack with 3 retail licenses. That was nice when it existed.

 

[alphanumeric]

If it's Windows 7 store bought (not preinstalled) stand alone OEM version, then a call to Microsoft "should" be all you need to do to transfer it to another PC. Assuming you give the right answers to the questions asked that is. It may be the same deal with a store bought (not preinstalled) Windows 8 OEM version that you install yourself. You'll have a product code that is not embedded in the BIOS. The only time I moved an OEM version of Windows 7 to another PC, the hardware was so similar that I didn't even have to reinstall or activate it again. I didn't have to do anything except install new sound drivers.

 

[windude99]

If they would discount the retail copies of Windows 7 to match the System Builder versions, people wouldn't buy the system builder version. They should do away with the System Builder/OEM copies and just sell retail.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Licensing was a complete nightmare when we had to do it during my Networking course.
"I want to buy your product. Why is it so difficult? Don't you want my money?"

 

[alphanumeric]

It's complicated because somebody is always looking for a loop hole to try and get something for nothing. Like buying one copy of something and trying to use it multiple times on multiple PC's. The honest always suffer as a result of the dishonest.

 

[lehnerus2000]

I suspect it also has something to do with up-selling too.
"Buy your licensing the way the 'Big Boys' do."

It was very difficult to find any info, even at MS sites!
I would have thought that if you searched for that info, MS would be desperate to make it the first item on a search results page.

They could just have a page that lists their products (they don't produce very many programs) and the cost of a license for each.
Multiply that by the number of users and then send the cash.

It would take almost no time to work out how much to pay, even if every individual program required one (e.g. server access license, Word license, Excel license, Outlook license, etc.).

In the exercise we did, it was easier to buy a server with additional license packs, than it was to find out how to do it based on MS info.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

There's the same confusion now with Windows 8.1 ENTERPRISE which apparently is being made available to INDIVIDUALS. While this could be a good move - what about the WINDOWS TO GO that one can create from W8 Enterprise. Does this mean an individual running a Windows to Go system on different hardware will need to Activate each time - is W8 Enterprise going to be a VL licence for INDIVIDUALS (not corporates). If not then what's the point over the PRO version. I'd only get the Enterprise version because of the WINDOWS TO GO FEATURE. If I can't use this on several computers then it's a waste of time.

Cheers
jimbo