legal to have Windows on 2 machines at once?

[wviperw]

Hi, I have an extra computer laying around and was wondering if I could run Windows on it. Currently I am running win95 on my main computer. Can I just install it on the other computer too, and run them both? Is it legal? Or do you just buy the right to use it on one computer at a time?

Thanks

 

[Rigoletto]

Uh, I think licenses are longwinded and you should go off to the MS website for it, but I have my 98SE "agreement" (huh, like I had a choice) here and it says:
...you may install and use one copy of the software on a single computer...

oh come on who's gonna catch you anyways. You ain't some russian blackmarketeer selling bootlegged Windows for $5 each.

 

[Speedy2k]

I was in Russia this summer. Got me some software Hey you know you want it, so why restrain yourself hehe.

 

[easternerd]

hi there,
I think your concern for asking this question itself has the
answer ,It is not legal to have an OS installed in multiple Sytems
But,It may be done with Multiple Licencing or some similar offer
Check out the Manuals and the Box which came with the product to
find out wheather its a multiple user version or the other one .

 

[paulip88]

Unless you are covered by some sort of site or volume license, it is illegal to install it on the other system.

If you do choose to commit such a moral violation, there is a 0.000001% chance (+/- 0.000001%) that Bill Gates will send a SWAT team to your door to break up your piracy ring.

 

[RSI]

LOL.

Are you serious, wviperw? Just go install it. What do you think is going to happen if you do that? You think Winbloze will detect that it's been installed on another computer and send a message to Bill Gaytz saying that you're pirating his software? I don't think he would even care.

I say go and install it. But if you're determined to stay 'legal' all the time, it looks like you won't be installing it.

BTW, you're running Win95 on that GHz Duron? That must rip!

-RSI

 

[Stealth1024]

Aren'you allowed to install software such as Microsoft Word on your primary computer and then on a secondary notebook computer at the same time? Why not do the same with an OS, but just call your second computer your secondary computer?

 

[owensdj]

wviperw, legally, you cannot install one Windows 95(98/ME/NT/2000 too) operating system license on more than one computer. You can buy another Windows 95 license for less than $30 if you want to stay 100% legal.

 

[Stealth1024]

So what if you purchase one WinME upgrade CD, but own two copies of Win95 and want to upgrade two machines? Are we talking 50% legal then?

 

[nEoTeChMaN]

You bought it..do what you want with it.

Fu@k, MS!!

 

[jaywallen]

Stealth1024,

50% legal is like being 50% pregnant.

Microsoft does distinguish between OS and application licenses. They allow NON-simultaneous use of the same copy of Office on, say, a desktop and a laptop. But not the OS. So far they've been able to make it stick in court. Obviously, the chance of an individual getting caught for "abusing" the OS license is slim -- unless s/he talks about it online, of course. Microsoft, and other software companies, have subpoenaed user records from online forums and chat rooms to locate people who've discussed so-called piracy-related behaviors online.

I try gently to dissuade anyone from even using shareware without paying for it -- on philosophical grounds. Heck, I even send postcards for postcardware!

But Microsoft is a very different matter. I've been very worried about Billy G. lately since recent stock market fluctuations are reported to have reduced his net assets to less than a mere $100 billion. You must pay Billy the proper license fees for his OS. How else will he build a new indoor landing strip on his cottage?

Regards,
Jim, distraughtly looking for kleenex box

 

[jaywallen]

nEoTeChMan,

LOL! I'd love to see someone fu@k MS! Only problem is, I think MS has a bigger di@k!

Regards,
Jim

 

[Rigoletto]

Stealth1024 apparently Netmeeting and sharing microsoft applications through it are allowed. I've never used it but bet it's egregiously slow if they allow you to use it heheh.
I do happen to think I should be allowed to use it for my own purposes morally just how I like. Like you could use kids' inflatable armbands for keeping rugrats afloat, or you could get a tub of vaseline and..... well use yer imagination folks.

 

[Stealth1024]

jaywallen, I was kidding.

 

[josphstalinator]

instal it on as many comps as you like. unless a representative of microsoft has reason to suspect you of this "crime" AND is able to get a search warrant (LOL) theres no chance of anyting happening to you.

 

[jaywallen]

Stealth1024,

I know. So was I.

 

[jaywallen]

ROFLMAO!

Words of comfort and assurance from a user named -- josphstalinator! What a name! I love it! (Uh, but I don't think your namesake even bothered with warrants!)

And yes, of course, it's weird to think of Microsofties hanging around forums like this looking for someone to go after. Unfortunately, it actually has happened, and against individual users. What's even worse, some companies have managed to subpoena chat room records to track down individuals who had dared to say something derrogatory about them. And then they've taken them to court for liable. (If it's in a chat room, it's been "published".) I mean going after a small-time personal use "pirate" is silly enough, when that person has already actually purchased the product. But going after someone because s/he SAYS something about your company???

It's stupid, it's incomprehensible, but it happens to be true. It's not FUD. Though it sure as hell ought to be!

Weird world!

Regards,
Jim

 

[Stealth1024]

Maybe if you start offering MS Whistler internal preview releases for sale they will start coming after you and you can share your experiences. lol

 

[jaywallen]

No thanks. I've had enough rejection in my life. They'd probably refuse to even call me!

 

[Kishkumen]

We are talking Windows 95 here aren't we? Couldn't you just get a piece of card board and write "Will work for legal Windows 95 license" or "Turn away from sin and sacrifice your Windows 95 license to the Lord!!!!" I could probably scrounge up at least half a dozen Windows 95 licenses from family and friends who no longer use it in favor of Windows 98 or 2000...

 

[wviperw]

Thanks for all the info.

Yea, I was just wondering if it was legal or not. That doesn't mean that I won't do it. And someone said something about buying more copies of Win95 for only $30?

 

[urbantechie]

Not if they don't know about it!

 

[Doggiedog]

I've always thought that if you network 2 computers together that have the same serial #'s for Windows they would blow up.

 

[jaywallen]

They do. Well actually they don't blow up. They just crash a lot. Which would, of course, be unthinkable for a Windows user.

 

[Rigoletto]

I don't know about whether you're allowed to represent yourself in the US but slander and libel, at least, doesn't appear to be difficult to deal with for an intelligent person to represent themselves in court. I know this because I started court proceedings against a woman last year for slander heheh.
I think it would be pure entertainment to defend myself for free and get my mush in the computer mags whilst some dummy publishers were wasting all that cash on a lawyer who can't beat me for cash I don't have anyway.