Using your windows cd on other machines...

[Coligeon]

I'm just curious (and don't flame me I know it's a silly question) but would using your own windows cd for someone elses computer be considered stealing? I know like if it's my very own cd I can use it for my own comp that I built and so fourth, but I was curious if it was ok to use for other systems built for friends? I haven't done this or anything yet, but we all know OS's are quite expensive and I was just curious. Thank you very much.

 

[Viper GTS]

The CD itself is not the key factor, the license is. Shops typically have many burned copies of OS's floating around, but when they install it they use the CD key off an unlicensed copy. That way the customer gets an unopened, unlicensed copy of the OS.

If you use the same serial number you used to install it, then yes it is piracy.

Viper GTS

 

[jcmkk]

Unless stated otherwise, you may use your copy of software on only one machine at a time. I do think it is a little bull though. I mean, I have multiple machines and Microsoft expects me to go out and buy multiple copies or multiple licenses so I can upgrade all of my PCs. That gets kind of expensive when I'm buying Office XP for over $500 as it is.

 

[FuManStan]

Yeah, i think Acitviation with XP would have been less of an issue if it allowed people to install on a few more computers. although someone always finds something from microsoft to complain about...

 

[bozo1]

Yea and it sucks that I have to have insurance on both of my cars when I can only drive one at a time.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

<< Yea and it sucks that I have to have insurance on both of my cars when I can only drive one at a time.

>>


j00 cant l33ch insurance!!!

 

[Musicman6425]

Depends on what you do with it! It is not "legal" to use a single use CD key on multiple computers. However, when I help out my friends with their computers, and it calls for me to insert the windows CD, I just use mine.

I know they have a legal version of software installed on their system but I really don't want to spend 2 hours sitting there while my friends try to find where in their parents bedroom the CD is stored!!!!

Microsofts $75 million woes!

 

[Coligeon]

Hmm, well when I got my first computer it was an Emachines heh. If anyone has had one of these you know how the Windows CD thing works. Anyway, after I gained quite a lot of knowledge in the computer area and decided to build my own. When it came down to getting an OS, I had no money for Windows2000 or whatever so I thought I'd just use that dumb Emachines Windows 98 cd even with its junk drivers 'cause I could get rid of all that stuff anyway. This is considered stealing? I mean, it's my cd shouldn't I be able to use it on my computers? It's one thing to pass it around but am I not supposed to use it if say I have two computer which were mine and required an OS? That is really bogus is that's the case. I mean, if they really wanted to enforce that (Err Windows XP) shouldn't they have encoded it better if you get my drift or were they just not thinking? Don't get me wrong, I have not intention of ripping Microsoft off (God only knows heh), but sparing the CD per every computer is quite absurd. Please tell me I'm not doing anything wrong, I had no intention as Viper GTS said of "piracy"?

 

[flood]

<< The CD itself is not the key factor, the license is. Shops typically have many burned copies of OS's floating around, but when they install it they use the CD key off an unlicensed copy. That way the customer gets an unopened, unlicensed copy of the OS.

If you use the same serial number you used to install it, then yes it is piracy.

Viper GTS
>>



what if i have win2k installed on both my main system and my laptop using the same cd key, but i only use one system at a time?

 

[JonnyDuke]

Yeah, it sucks alright. But if you use your copy of Windows on more than one machine... you are in violation of that little EUA on the license.

Either don't do it and go out, buy another licensed copy of Windows or accept the fact that you are breaking the law and are a pirate, or use open source (Linux, Unix, whatever)and avoid that issue almost completely.

 

[bozo1]

You are allowed to a retail copy of Office on a PC and a laptop. (Versions of Office that ship preinstalled on a PC are only to be usedb on that PC.) For the OS, one license = one installation.

 

[PH0ENIX]

A Quick note,

Except with regards to WindowsXP, neither the media you use to install, nor the CDkey/product code matters AT ALL.

The only thing that microsoft really cares about is the number of licenses you own.

Naturally with XP and it's product activation BS, it's a little different.

A Computer company acn use one of their own product codes to install an OS - the only thing that really matters is that the customer is provided with a license, a copy of windows (or a proprietry restore CD, like with a Compaq), and their own product code in case a re-installation is ever needed.

A prime example of this, is that some laptops are shipped with a Restore CD that gives you a one-time-choice of win2000 or win98.
They give you the keys for both, so you can decide to use either - but legally you cant change your mind down the road.

Now if a key was really as important as a license, that'd mean those laptops give the customer 2 licenses for the price of 1... which is not the case.

Also, a Win98 license allows you to install a copy of win95 instead, if you so wish. I BELIEVE, though im not sure 100% about this one, that the WinME license covers 95 AND 98 - but definately 95.
Now as a 98 key wont work with 95, that's another indication of how unimportant product codes really are.

Your chances of Microsoft going "yes, this man is correct" are prety slim, but if it comes down to an audit, if you abide by the above, you're safe as houses.



BTW; not speaking for my company either...

 

[bozo1]

<< I BELIEVE, though im not sure 100% about this one, that the WinME license covers 95 AND 98 - but definately 95. >>


You would be correct. Microsoft lets you use a previous version of a product if you wish. XP Pro -> NT Pro -> NT 4, etc.; XP Home -> Me -> 98 -> 95.