Microsoft Limits Windows Vista License Transfer

Filed in: Microsoft, Windows Vista — October 22nd, 2006

CNET reported that “Under changes to Microsoft’s licensing terms, buyers of retail copies of Vista will be able to transfer their software to a new machine only once. If they want to move their software a second time, they will have to buy a new copy of the operating system.”

What does it mean to you?

Let’s say you buy a retial copy of Windows Vista and install it on your current PC(Computer A).

Some days later, you want to change to a new computer(Computer B), you CAN uninstall/delete Windows Vista on Computer A and then install Windows Vista on Computer B. No problem.

However, if later the Computer B break down(or you buy a new PC again), you CANNOT install the Windows Vista on the new PC(Computer C). You need to buy a NEW Windows Vista license for Computer C.

My two cents

In short, Windows Vista is tied with your computer. You probably need to buy more Vista licenses if you often(yearly?) change/upgrade computer. Remember, Windows Vista is expensive.

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  • http://tiensoon.blogspot.com/ Tien Soon

    When it says machine, not sure if it’s actually refering to the hard disk itself. ‘Cos every hard disk has a unique ID, if Microsoft is identifying varying machine based on hard disk ID, then it simply means replacing a new hard disk will cut off one of your permitted installation attempts as well.

  • http://tiensoon.blogspot.com Tien Soon

    When it says machine, not sure if it’s actually refering to the hard disk itself. ‘Cos every hard disk has a unique ID, if Microsoft is identifying varying machine based on hard disk ID, then it simply means replacing a new hard disk will cut off one of your permitted installation attempts as well.

  • LcF

    I think it is combination of motherboard + hard disk. Changing hard disk might required you to call Microsoft support for manual verification.

  • LcF

    I think it is combination of motherboard + hard disk. Changing hard disk might required you to call Microsoft support for manual verification.

  • http://www.wekgna.com/blog kew

    dont forget CPU also has a unique ID, so upgrading the cpu may also have an impact. I guess the true terms have not been eleborated, nevertheless, this is a huge boo boo for microsoft… all in the name of fighting piracy…. I wonder if the restriction is just couldn’t get update? or totally cannot install.

  • http://www.wekgna.com/blog kew

    dont forget CPU also has a unique ID, so upgrading the cpu may also have an impact. I guess the true terms have not been eleborated, nevertheless, this is a huge boo boo for microsoft… all in the name of fighting piracy…. I wonder if the restriction is just couldn’t get update? or totally cannot install.

  • LcF

    kew: “…I wonder if the restriction is just couldn’t get update? or totally cannot install.”

    ya, interesting. Wanna try? ;)
    I think the “piracy protection” required an Internet connection to check in the MS database.

  • LcF

    kew: “…I wonder if the restriction is just couldn’t get update? or totally cannot install.”

    ya, interesting. Wanna try? ;)
    I think the “piracy protection” required an Internet connection to check in the MS database.

  • http://www.syiok.com/ Malaysia Property

    wow….they are trying really hard to stop piracy and duplicates…harddisk id, mobo id, processor id……i guess hard disk id is definately in….so changing harddisk would be a new computer installation….if harddisk crash then cialat ledi

  • http://www.syiok.com Malaysia Property

    wow….they are trying really hard to stop piracy and duplicates…harddisk id, mobo id, processor id……i guess hard disk id is definately in….so changing harddisk would be a new computer installation….if harddisk crash then cialat ledi

  • yusa

    from what i can say…windows day by day making money and strictly making ppl more hate on them..most of all my friend change from windows to mac..for other change it to linux..(so am i), its not about ppl wanted the piracy..it about the windows it self….lack of everything..more virus….and more money needed to install any software..they never support opensource type project….lastly i run a cc, and last what can i said..the price are not support ppl who try to support them back…so let make micro$oft down..(hate them)

  • yusa

    from what i can say…windows day by day making money and strictly making ppl more hate on them..most of all my friend change from windows to mac..for other change it to linux..(so am i), its not about ppl wanted the piracy..it about the windows it self….lack of everything..more virus….and more money needed to install any software..they never support opensource type project….lastly i run a cc, and last what can i said..the price are not support ppl who try to support them back…so let make micro$oft down..(hate them)

  • http://www.wekgna.com/blog kew

    CF, todays XP can install, but cannot get updates…

  • http://www.wekgna.com/blog kew

    CF, todays XP can install, but cannot get updates…

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