Windows OEM Licenses

[CplHicks]

I got a new computer at work a few days ago and it came with XP Home. Since I needed a Pro Windows version I installed 2000 since that what we've got license for. My question is, could I use the XP Home license on a different computer? The computer we bought came from Dell and I'm pretty sure they check to make sure you're installing on a Dell computer, but shouldn't the license transfer to another computer if I'm not using it on the Dell?

 

[bozo1]

No. OEM Windows sold with a PC is licensed for use on that PC only - it can't be sold or transferred to another machine.

In reality, Microsoft doesn't really care. We've been audited at work before. All they wanted was a count of all the machines and a count of the licenses. They didn't care if they were OEM, full versions, etc. They also didn't care if we downgraded like receiving a machine with XP Pro on it and wiping it and putting W2K Pro on it because that is our corporate standard, etc.

Of course, Dell throws another kink into it by marrying many of their OEM Windows to a Dell BIOS. (Making it more difficult if you want to use that specific disc, but again, Microsoft really just cares about license count.)

 

[neuralfx]

oh all those prebuilts have a horrible model of using "Restore discs" .. these things are stupid and a waste of money .. It's not just dell that does it, all of them do .. HP angers me the most quite honestly .. say you replace a motherboard in an HP .. then you go to restore it .. it will say "this is not an HPPAV PC" .. so you have to go on HP's Partner website or some other means .. and search through all kinds of bs to find whats called a "tatoo" file .. which is a Magical file that HP "Techs" think solves every problem .. you basically flash the bios for it to think it's an HP again, yay .. hm could this be something HP should by law do at their little factory , maybe ? .. heh =) [/rant]
-neural

 

[acidvoodoo]

i noticed with m windows XP restore cd from mesh, u don't even get the 30 days to activate it with. u have to activate before u can get beyond the login screen. so if u don't want to have to talk to microsoft people, u have too because u cannot get into windows to set up ya internet

 

[ARCShrike]

bozo1 : acturally not. this practice was declared unlawful not too long ago.

a OEM licence counts as a normal licence in every respect.

 

[CplHicks]

Ok, how about this scenario:

1) I own a OEM copy of WindowsXP Professional that I purchased from newegg.com and used on my computer I built.
2) I buy a laptop from an OEM (Dell, Compaq, etc.) that comes with WindowsXP Home.

I should be able to transfer the XP Pro license to the laptop and use Home on my old desktop right?

 

[Workin']

a OEM licence counts as a normal licence in every respect.

NO WAY NO HOW!! How's about you provide proof of that statement? I just installed an OEM copy of WinXP last night and actually read the EULA, and it said it can be used only on the machine it came with and not be transferred to any other machine. Period. No exceptions. I'm a VAR and I haven't heard of this provision being thrown out by any court with jurisdiction in the USA.

It's really simple - an OEM license allows you to use the OS on one machine, and specifically disallows the transfer of that license to another machine, under any circumstances. If you later sell or dispose of the machine it was originally installed on, the license goes with it, along with the licenses of any previous OS versions if your current OS was an upgrade release.

The only wrinkle in those provisions is that if you have an OEM XP license, you can "downgrade" to Windows 2000, Me, or 98SE and use the XP license to cover the lesser version - of course as long as you don't install that copy of XP anywhere. Didn't bozo1 mention this earlier?

 

[Workin']

Originally posted by: CplHicks
Ok, how about this scenario:

1) I own a OEM copy of WindowsXP Professional that I purchased from newegg.com and used on my computer I built.
2) I buy a laptop from an OEM (Dell, Compaq, etc.) that comes with WindowsXP Home.

I should be able to transfer the XP Pro license to the laptop and use Home on my old desktop right?

Technically no, but will anyone really care? However the Dell copy of Home likely won't install on any non-Dell computer...

 

[BlitzRommel]

Originally posted by: Workin'

Originally posted by: CplHicks
Ok, how about this scenario:

1) I own a OEM copy of WindowsXP Professional that I purchased from newegg.com and used on my computer I built.
2) I buy a laptop from an OEM (Dell, Compaq, etc.) that comes with WindowsXP Home.

I should be able to transfer the XP Pro license to the laptop and use Home on my old desktop right?

Technically no, but will anyone really care? However the Dell copy of Home likely won't install on any non-Dell computer...

Well, I successfully installed Windows ME (ugh) from a Dell restore CD on a non-Dell computer, worked fine.