Can I load XP home retail on my newly built PC?

Rhonda85

Senior member
Jan 15, 2001
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I purchaced win xp home retail edition and installed in on my AMD duron 800 system about a year ago. I have just built me a brand new PC. Can I install win xp home on the new PC or do I have to buy another copy of XP?

Thank you for any help!
 

n0cmonkey

Elite Member
Jun 10, 2001
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If you uninstall it from the old machine you should be able to install it on the new one just fine.
 

Rhonda85

Senior member
Jan 15, 2001
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What if I do not uninstall it from the old PC? I want to have them both up and running so I can transfer files.
 

n0cmonkey

Elite Member
Jun 10, 2001
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Originally posted by: Rhonda85
What if I do not uninstall it from the old PC? I want to have them both up and running so I can transfer files.

Then you need a second license.
 

Rhonda85

Senior member
Jan 15, 2001
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I fully understand the license agreement. I have not intentions of trying to rob microsoft from any money due to them, but how will one PC know that xp is loaded on the other one or how would microsoft know when I will only do this until I get the new machine up and running, then I can destroy the hard disk on the old machine so I will be running only one legal copy?
 

Atheus

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2005
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Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Originally posted by: Atheus
Try it and see. In my experience, it often works.

One license per machine. Check out the license agreement.

That's not the point.

Originally posted by: Rhonda85
but how will one PC know that xp is loaded on the other one or how would microsoft know when I will only do this until I get the new machine up and running, then I can destroy the hard disk on the old machine so I will be running only one legal copy?

As I understand it, when you 'activate' windows, it sends a hardware profile to microsoft servers. The profiles are compared the next time you install, and if there are significant differences, it will not allow activation.

 

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
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I think, but am not certain, that Microsoft will allow a Retail Copy of a program such as Windows or Office
to be installed on your Primary PC & also on one Secondary PC such as a laptop subject to one restriction

Only one copy can be in use at any one time in order to stay legal .. So if you are using your desktop pc,
the laptop must stay off & vice versa
 

nweaver

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2001
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the dual license is OFFICE only. I, however, do not think this would be a problem if you have it on both ONLY long enought to transfer files from the old PC to new, then wipe it out.
 

RebateMonger

Elite Member
Dec 24, 2005
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You have 30 days to activate an XP install. Unless it's a Repair Installation, which needs to be activated immediately or within three days, depending on your Service Pack level (XP RTM = immediately, XP SP1 or XP SP2 = 3 days).
 

eminemrh25

Golden Member
Feb 21, 2005
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DO NOT DO WHAT IS LISTED BELOW!

1. Install on New Machine
2. Once Prompted, Call Microsoft
3. Say You uninstalled the software from the previous machine even if you haven't
4. Enter the new code they give you
5. Your new machine is up and running!

Since your other PC is running the same windows, it is still activated, to avoid calling Microsoft again and redoing the above trick, backup the WPA.DBL that is in your C:\Windows\System32 . If you ever reinstall on the old system, after install, DO NOT ACTIVATE! Re-Boot into Safe Mode and copy over the WPA.DBL to the new System32 folder and if the HardWare is the same, Windows will read as activated.

Do not do anything listed above! It is listed for Educational purposes to show that even Microsoft's somehow "fool-proof" plan for activation is easily by-passed with a Simple Phone Call to their own company!...

Dual License do only incude Office afaik. Windows is a Single User License, unless you have Volume Licensing.