• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Can I legally install Windows XP Pro OEM on 2 PCs?

S

StattlichPassat

Banned
I've heard rumors here and there that you can install XP on no more than 2 computers if they belong to the same person, maybe even only under the same roof (desktop, laptop, per se). Is this true?
 
I really don't think so. By doing this M$ would open a huge breach into their philosophy of going against exactly after this kind of behaviour.

Just my 2 cents, though.
 
According to This article You CAN install Win XP only on:
1. A desktop AND a laptop from the same cd; provided you DONT use BOTH of them at the same time.
2. A single machine (laptop OR a desktop_

In other words, I dont think you can install it on more than 2 PCs
 
What civad said is true. For example, if you have a system at work and want to do work at home, you can install the same OS w/license on both but CANNOT use both at the same time. That is the only exception that I know about for installing on more than one system. Now, I'm not sure how they could enforce that and neither am I suggesting that it would be easy to just do it but I still gotta ask: How would they know?? Perhaps when you installed it on the second system and had to call MS to get the "key" to activate the OS (which you would have to do) you would then have to give separate addresses for the machines? But again, how the heck are they going to know? Also, I want to stress I am not suggesting that this would be a way to "cheat" MS. 😉
 
i know you can with office but an OS is different i beleive. Also how would the autodeactivate thingy not do its thing and shut down both coppies of XP?
 
Originally posted by: civad
According to This article You CAN install Win XP only on:
1. A desktop AND a laptop from the same cd; provided you DONT use BOTH of them at the same time.
2. A single machine (laptop OR a desktop_

In other words, I dont think you can install it on more than 2 PCs
Click to expand...

Funny, that's not what I get from it. Here's the quote:

How many times can you actually activate XP? The number three comes up a lot when I look for answers on this topic, although there is no definitive answer on Microsoft's Web site. There was talk a while back that Microsoft would look the other way if you installed XP on your desktop and then on your laptop. On the Microsoft Web site, the company says it allows such a copy on laptops for Microsoft Office XP, not for Windows XP. Is that true? Have any of you tried to install the OS on all the machines you own? Have you tried to reinstall the OS over and over on the same machine And exactly what does happen when XP refuses to install? What recourse do you have? XP has been on the market long enough to have generated a lot of user experiences. Also, can some reader chime in about XP on a slow machine or on a 486? Does it even run? And if it doesn't, does that still count as a single installation?
Click to expand...

In other words, they say they HEARD that you could do this with OFFICE XP, and saw this on the MS website. But thet say MS has no such clause for WIN XP.
 
AmusedOne, leaving the article aside for a moment, what I have seen is a "real world" situation where someone working for a local networking company installed one copy/license of XP both on his work unit and on his home unit. Both are activated and "legal". He is under a clause that allows him to only use one at a time though supposedly. As I mentioed earlier though, I'm not sure how MS could enforce such a clause. No, I was not there when he installed and activated the second copy, nor was I listening in on his conversation with MS. I am taking his word (he is a friend though) that he did this "legally". He really has no reason to lie to me but I suppose anything is possible. I suppose someone with some time on their hands could call MS and ask but you would most likely talk to some contracted "robot" that would spout the gospel according to Bill Gates and not have all the knowledge needed to render such an opinion. 🙂
 
There is NO clause, situation, or case that allows installing a single license of any MS operating system on more than one computer. PERIOD.

I resell MS software, have read the EULA and other licensing BS, and if anyone tells you otherwise they are wrong.

Now, the RETAIL version of Office XP may be installed on two systems that are not used at the same time. However, the OEM version of Office XP may only be installed on a single PC.

It's not very complicated.
 
No need to read an article or ask a friend. It's all there in the EULA for the OS versions and for the Office versions. You CAN install retail (no OEM) Office to a desktop and portable owned by the same person so long as only one of the copies of Office is in use at a given time. (It is presumed that you use the Office copy on the notebook when you're away from "home base" and that you use the Office copy on the desktop system you aren't.) The same does NOT apply to the retail operating system versions. It's there in the EULA. It's not really that hard to understand.

- Collin

Heh-heh. That'll teach me to take a phone call while typing a message. Workin' beat me to it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top