In what way I will have my Windows 7 license violated?

[nexusN]

Hi,

Currently I am using Windows 7 Ultimate to set up a home server,
I did some modification by using a patch to allow concurrent session so that other family members can access it(to login for whatever purpose) using their notebook at the same time.

It looks the original "lock" is intended to be there to differentiate Windows 7 from Windows Server 2008 r2, would what I have done actually turning my copy to no longer genuine, violating the license?:|
In that way I can no longer use it for any production, which has to be restored.

 

[Blain]

* How many other users are connecting?
* How are they using the machine?

"f. Device Connections.
You may allow up to 20 other devices to access software installed on the licensed computer to use only File Services, Print Services, Internet Information Services and Internet Connection Sharing and Telephony Services."

 

[nexusN]

* How many other users are connecting?
* How are they using the machine?

"f. Device Connections.
You may allow up to 20 other devices to access software installed on the licensed computer to use only File Services, Print Services, Internet Information Services and Internet Connection Sharing and Telephony Services."

In most cases, it is the server playing video on console, connected to the TV;
another user logins to the server, the same OS with a different user account, or more users, more accounts.
They do so as the server provides a higher processing power, and in that way we don't need to deploy the software to all notebooks/other desktops.<--Again, I am also not sure if it is within license.
At most 3 users together.

 

[nexusN]

In most cases, it is the server playing video on console, connected to the TV;
another user logins to the server, the same OS with a different user account, or more users, more accounts.
They do so as the server provides a higher processing power, and in that way we don't need to deploy the software to all notebooks/other desktops.<--Again, I am also not sure if it is within license.
At most 3 users together.

Answering on my own for the last questions,
some do and some don't.
Depending on the EULA, software like Microsoft Office does require license for every access, even from a RDS, that way I cannot do this with my server, formally.
While for some software stating that one copy per computer, it looks good for my application.

 

[mechBgon]

Hi,

Currently I am using Windows 7 Ultimate to set up a home server,
I did some modification by using a patch to allow concurrent session so that other family members can access it(to login for whatever purpose) using their notebook at the same time.

It looks the original "lock" is intended to be there to differentiate Windows 7 from Windows Server 2008 r2, would what I have done actually turning my to no longer genuine, violating the license?:|
In that way I can no longer use it for any production, which has to be restored.

Since you ask, no that wouldn't be compliant.

2. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.

a. One Copy per Computer. You may install one copy of the software on one computer. That computer is the “licensed computer.”

b. Licensed Computer. You may use the software on up to two processors on the licensed computer at one time. Unless otherwise provided in these license terms, you may not use the software on any other computer.

c. Number of Users. Unless otherwise provided in these license terms, only one user may use the software at a time.

d. Alternative Versions. The software may include more than one version, such as 32-bit and 64-bit. You may install and use only one version at one time.


3. ADDITIONAL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS AND/OR USE RIGHTS.
a. Multiplexing. Hardware or software you use to
• pool connections, or
• reduce the number of devices or users that directly access or use the software
(sometimes referred to as “multiplexing” or “pooling”), does not reduce the number of licenses you need.

 

[nexusN]

Since you ask, no that wouldn't be compliant.

Thank you so much for your information, it looks it's not the patch un-licensing, instead, the multiple users at a time is not allowed on Windows 7.

It looks if I am to make it a productive machine, this cannot be tolerated.:|
No luck in saving any money with my server.

 

[Nothinman]

Thank you so much for your information, it looks it's not the patch un-licensing, instead, the multiple users at a time is not allowed on Windows 7.

It looks if I am to make it a productive machine, this cannot be tolerated.:|
No luck in saving any money with my server.

MS makes their money off of licensing, what incentive would there be to buy Windows Server if you could actually use all of your hardware, have multiple concurrent TS sessions, >10 IIS/filesharing connections, etc with their workstation OS?

 

[nexusN]

MS makes their money off of licensing, what incentive would there be to buy Windows Server if you could actually use all of your hardware, have multiple concurrent TS sessions, >10 IIS/filesharing connections, etc with their workstation OS?

Sure I understand the concurrent sessions are blocked in W7 in order to differentiate it from WS 2008 r2; I just wondered if I am able to make it possible in W7, would I be still within the license.
Now I have got the answer, and budget for W8 Server may be necessary......or I should just stop making my server a productive device.

 

[Nothinman]

Sure I understand the concurrent sessions are blocked in W7 in order to differentiate it from WS 2008 r2; I just wondered if I am able to make it possible in W7, would I be still within the license.
Now I have got the answer, and budget for W8 Server may be necessary......or I should just stop making my server a productive device.

For home, probably the latter. Or look into using another OS like Linux which has no usage restrictions. You could even hook up multiple local keyboards, mice, etc and have multiple concurrent local users and as many remote users as the hardware could handle if you wanted.

Another option is to do a home brew VDI install and have individual VMs with their own license.

 

[nexusN]

For home, probably the latter. Or look into using another OS like Linux which has no usage restrictions. You could even hook up multiple local keyboards, mice, etc and have multiple concurrent local users and as many remote users as the hardware could handle if you wanted.

Another option is to do a home brew VDI install and have individual VMs with their own license.

Thank you for the advice,
I did consider installing Linux for the purpose, but there are compatibility issues with a bunch of software(Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop on wine are still not problem free) and hardware(TV tuner works only under Windows), and also whatever the OS is, I will just break more license if I am to use other software like Photoshop via RDS.

So probably I will restore the W7 un-patched, then my family members will still be able to use the server, though not at the same time.
Probably I've better get a ASUS WAVI :biggrin: