Retail copy of MS Operating systems (vista) not transferable?

[Dravic]

Don?t know if this a repost, but I though us enthusiast who re-use retail copies of the OS as we upgrade are in for a surprise when Microsoft tells you your copy is no longer valid.


Seems like an awful big change in the licensing terms if you ask me


zdnet 1st blog

zdnet 2nd blog

 

[RebateMonger]

I noticed a couple of things...
a) Microsoft seems to be dumping the dumb restrictions on NFR software. Now, you just can't sell it. Before, it wasn't even obvious how you could "legally" use NFR software.

b) Lots of restrictions on "first user of the software".
NO restrictions on the third-party that you sell it to.
At this moment, it looks like if you swap your copy of Vista with somebody else's, all the restrictions go away, since you are no longer the "first user".

MS obviously chose their "first user" wording to avoid "Restraint of Trade" violations. But it seems like they've left a huge gap in the EULA now.

I have no idea why MS is screwing with this stuff. It'll make a mess of repairing and upgrading PCs.

 

[CrystalBay]

Thanks , for bringing this out in the open...

 

[SparkyJJO]

If that is so that is stupid. Why should they care if it gets moved around computers as long as it is on only one at any given point in time? I can see OEM being connected to a single computer, but restricting retail like that? Stupid. I don't want to have to rebuy my OS every other time I rebuild my system, or upgrade, or replace a bad component, or whatever.

Heh maybe you can tie it to a floppy drive or something like that, and keep that floppy drive in every computer you build later

 

[RampantAndroid]

Wow. That's complete BS. Looks like I won't be buying Vista for a LONG time. I don't know how many times I've rebuilt XP on the same computer via a reformat. Now if they change that, I can only do it twice??? Will I be able to call a 800 number to get it activated? If so, that's fine....but if not, I hope Vista crashes and burns.

 

[Ayah]

This is cr@p.

 

[NDJeff]

Hmm if this doesn't change I won't spend a penny on Vista until there is a workaround, what a bunch of BS. I change a major part of my system at least every 3 months, and reinstall my OS even more frequently. If I can't get it free through the university I won't be getting it at all, I'm not paying big bucks for some crippled version of the OS.

 

[Rilex]

From what I'm reading, this has nothing to do with "I added a major piece of hardware forcing reactivation" or "I rebuilt my system because of an [insert failure here/because I felt like it]".

Afterall, you've already licensed that machine.

 

[InlineFive]

That is absolute bullcrap, I'm really dissapointed in Microsoft for this. Now I'll probably just stick with Windows XP and migrate to Linux when Windows XP reaches end-of-life.

Unless Microsoft has changed their policies at that time; which seem unlikely.

 

[stash]

Not sure about the transfer rights, but people are completely misinterpreting the verbiage in the Home Basic and Home Premium EULAs regarding virtualization. The EULA states (emphasis added):

"You may not use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system"

All this means is you can't use the same copy of Vista Home Basic or Home Premium on both the host and a virtualized guest. You need to purchase a second copy for the guest OS.

Yet, the web is already full of people (Slashdot, TechWeb) crowing that these SKUs are banned entirely from being virtualized.

 

[Nothinman]

That's funny as hell, glad I'll never need to deal with Vista.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: stash
Not sure about the transfer rights, but people are completely misinterpreting the verbiage in the Home Basic and Home Premium EULAs regarding virtualization. The EULA states (emphasis added):

"You may not use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system"

All this means is you can't use the same copy of Vista Home Basic or Home Premium on both the host and a virtualized guest. You need to purchase a second copy for the guest OS.

Yet, the web is already full of people (Slashdot, TechWeb) crowing that these SKUs are banned entirely from being virtualized.

That's pretty stupid too IMO. A second license if I want to create a test bed in a virtual machine? How was this handled in XP (or was it)?

 

[stash]

It's the same for XP. However, with Ultimate (and the business SKUs I think), you get rights to use the same license for the host and guest.

 

[stash]

Compare the EULA for Basic and Premium I quoted above to the section for Ultimate:

"You may use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system on the licensed device"

So if you want to be able to use one license on both a host and one virtualized guest, you need to buy Ultimate. For Basic/Premium, you need to purchase an additional license, but this does NOT preclude you from virtualizing those SKUs.

 

[InlineFive]

To me the virtualization isn't the issue, the transfer of license is.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: InlineFive
To me the virtualization isn't the issue, the transfer of license is.

Yeah, that's a pretty huge change if it's true. What benefit does a retail license hold over OEM in that case?

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: InlineFive
To me the virtualization isn't the issue, the transfer of license is.

Yeah, that's a pretty huge change if it's true. What benefit does a retail license hold over OEM in that case?

being able to transfer once instead of not at all? It's crap I tell you, MS better not do that, it is the stupidest thing yet.

 

[magomago]

if that is crap, don't buy it...

 

[cubby1223]

Sounds to me like Microsoft wants to put an end to all individual computer shops & techs. Like their ultimate goal would be that everyone buys a computer from Dell, and you cannot do *anything* with the computer without sending it back to Dell. That way piracy will be stopped!!!

I mean, if someone buys a Dell and the motherboard stops working, you could not have a local tech replace the board because that would require a new purchase of Vista & new installation of the OS. Actually, this would be devastating for businesses, their in-house IT could not even replace a bad component. Something's not right - how could they ever get away with such crap?

 

[the Chase]

This is just as well. I wasn't going to buy it anyway. I'm not going to buy 4 Gigs of memory and a $500 video card and $200+ worth of OS just to say I can now run DX10 games.(When they finally start coming out in 3 years). This piece of info just solidifies that.

 

[RampantAndroid]

Alright...I'd love it if someone would explain this:

I read the blog stuff...and I'm confused. Do these restrictions affect OEM or retail boxes? Furthermore, will I be able to reinstall vista on the same machine, should I crash the OS? I've rebuilt XP so many times, and usually if my activation key hasn't cleared, I just call the 800 number and talk to some guy in india who gives me an activation code. Will this be the same for Vista?

 

[Dravic]

Its just all so unclear..

If a component dies then a call for re-activation should be all that?s requires. That?s the way it is now, and it better be that way going forward.

But the real issue for me is the inability to take apart my current gaming machine, pass the parts down the chain (me -> wife -> kids -> server/charity). The new computer I build will more then likely be substantially different (i.e. amd 939 to intel Conroe) then the old one. XP is ~5 years old and I?ve already had two uses of my retail copy kt300 -> nforce4 939. I don?t plan on going to vista anytime soon, or at least until mature directx 10 and service pack 1.

I have to imagine more then a few people here went from p4 ? k8 ?Conroe on that same XP retail copy. That conroe move would have required a new purchase of the OS. I also image there may well be one more major hardware migration before Vista is a serious option. I may be on amd quad k8l desktop in early 2008 before I even think about vista, and with that kind of horse power wine and cedega(sp) may not be to bad an option anymore. While MS may still hold onto my email/browse/finance machine, they are quickly optioning themselves out of my high-end(for me anyway) builds.

 

[Nothinman]

Its just all so unclear..

Welcome to the world of commercial software licensing.

 

[Genx87]

I read the sections 15-16 as the blog mentions and yeah, it appears they are limiting you to a one time transfer of the license on retail copies. This is a terrible development.

Why not just get it over and start charging a monthly fee to use the OS?

 

[Dravic]

Originally posted by: Genx87
I read the sections 15-16 as the blog mentions and yeah, it appears they are limiting you to a one time transfer of the license on retail copies. This is a terrible development.

Why not just get it over and start charging a monthly fee to use the OS?

May not be monthly, but that seems an awful lot like their software assurance program, but of course there is no assurance on their side to actually release a product that satisfies the upgrade path.

Next up?.

?We have come up with a tremendous saving for our home customers. Windows Vista activation and security assurance program. $99 up front and $10 a month after that.

Can only imagine the EULA on that thing?