Vista license to only allow one computer transfer

As if crippling your PC when you're running an unlicensed copy of Vista wasn't enough, Microsoft has now taken to limiting the number of times you can transfer your license legitimately to other computers. Unlike Windows XP, which previously allowed for unlimited license transfers between computers, Vista limits this transfer to a single time. As TechWeb reports, quoting the license for Windows Vista Home Basic (and other versions as well): "The first user of the software may reassign the license to another device one time. If you reassign the license, that other device becomes the 'licensed device.'" Still, as we noted last time, it's almost certainly a safe bet that the most determined folks will figure out a way around this, à la PlaysForSure.

[NotOfThisEarth @ Oct 13th 2006 3:25PM]

Sooo let's see.... If you upgrade or buy a new computer, you can transfer your Vista licence but if you do it again you're SOL and have to buy another copy? Riiiiiight. Let me get right on that. Oh well so much for actually PAYING for this OS. I'll just enjoy my cracked copy thanks.

[JoeStalin @ Oct 13th 2006 3:29PM]

So is this a one time transfer and activiation to a seperate machine. Is that forever, or can I call up MS-India and have them give me an activiation key like I do now when I've upgraded/rebuilt my computer that the license is attributed to?

[Jer @ Oct 13th 2006 3:32PM]

Yikes. This little tidbit only strengthens my resolve to keep XP, and switch to Linux and Mac OX at my earliest convenience. This might be one of the most blatently anti-consumer moves this company has managed to foist upon us, and I am well aware of and seriously pissed at this activation garbage I have to go through every time I install/re-install this garbage OS.

[michael @ Oct 13th 2006 3:35PM]

Wow, you guys clearly have a different definition of "Third Party" than I do.

[michael @ Oct 13th 2006 3:37PM]

please, for the love of god, disgregard me. I haven't had my coffee today, and clearly, am retarded for it.

[lankysob @ Oct 13th 2006 3:39PM]

It's not much of a party when you can only invite yourself...

...that's if you're dumb enough to pay for Vista.

[Kevin @ Oct 13th 2006 3:38PM]

they could've taken the apple approach and given you at least 5 transfers.

[biscuit @ Oct 14th 2006 4:02AM]

That's wrong-as long as you uninstall it off the old mac, the same license applies to the new one and its perfectly ok with the eula. you're thinking of the family pack which is licensed to 5 macs to run it at once. and a hellova lot cheaper than vista (and dont get me started on the crippleware home editions...)

[Karl Viklund @ Oct 13th 2006 3:40PM]

This is so sad. Microsoft is just making it harder for normal consumers. Stuff like this make me wanna say "go to hell with Vista" :/

[Ian Jardine @ Oct 13th 2006 3:41PM]

How does this liense differ, IF at all, from the current license for say XP Pro?

I doubt it's any change at all, sowhy the sudden fuss?

More important is how will MS and Vista react to upgrades on a single PC. I've change HD and several cards on my current PC and had no issues with XP Pro. I would not like MS to argue the toss with me just for a hardware upgrade of a current PC.

Overall some people in thew media seem intent on another "See MS is the BAD empire" hype, when likely nothing much has changed.

[JoeStalin @ Oct 13th 2006 3:57PM]

Right so is this pretty much the same system as XP just with fewer tranfers? E.G. My Media Center Addition CD let me activiate it over the internet on three different reloads. Ever since then, every time I upgrade or reload, I have to call a phone # and talk to someone in India who gives me a code and all is well. It's probably the same thing.

Of course you could just get your machine how you like it and Ghost it. Screw everyone and re-load it whenever you want with no hassle.

[Chappy @ Oct 13th 2006 3:59PM]

The current XP license places no limit on the number of times it can be transferred, so you can transfer it as many times as you like. The Vista license explicitly states only one transfer is allowed. We have yet to see if this part of the license will be enforced with "Software Activation", but it's a safe bet. Depending on how it's enforced, drive changes, motherboard changes, or other hardware modifications may trigger the transfer code and force the one-time re-activation on the "new" device.

LPD, what you consider "not that much" must vary greatly from mine, especially when you consider the new pricing. Even $250 is too much in my mind (especially for a crippled "home" version), nevermind $450 for the full-featured "ultimate" version.

[Alcaron @ Oct 13th 2006 4:23PM]

Couple of things.

First...before you start saying the media just has it out for MS, do the legwork to answer your own questions.

The XP license does not place a one transfer limit on it. In the exact same section of the XP license it just simply says you can transfer it to a new device so long as you remove the product from the old device once the transfer is complete.

Second.

Ghosting will not work because the way XP determines your "device" is by hashing your hardware configuration. So lets say you upgrade the motherboard in your PC and re-ghost. Well, lets assume you got an amost identical motherboard, different manufacturer but same chipset, no fewer or greater features etc. etc. (otherwise your ghost image isn't going to be worth a damn because all the core components will be different). It's still going to see a different motherboard and go "ooops, new device, sorry!"

I can tell you as a matter of fact that this means if I go with the version I want to go with (well, wanted to) I will end up paying $400 or so every 4-5 months JUST for the OS.

And before you say "so what, you don't mind spending $400 on a video card every 6 months" let me put it to you this way. If I have to spend $800 every 6 months JUST to get a new $400 video card, its not going to happen.

And when I spend $400 every 6 months on a new video card I get a DRASTIC improvement in capabilities. So unless 6 months from now I re-buy vista and it has a fuckton of new features, I don't see how you can compare the two.

[Jake @ Oct 13th 2006 3:46PM]

This is horseshit. Brilliant move, Microsoft, targeting, um, PC ENTHUSIASTS. Who else needs to install their legal license of Windows more than 2 times? Only those who frequently change their hardware configuration and build their own boxes.

Its not going to work. DIYers are going to switch to Linux, Lindows, even Apple (who needs to tweak the thing when it doesn't break?). MS is going to lose the chunk of market that they are attempting to BILK.

[LPD @ Oct 13th 2006 3:47PM]

What's the big deal. For all that it does it doesn't cost that much. Hell, if you paid $30 for WinZip, that only zips files. We are talking an entire OS here. You already get free updates for years and hardly any other software company does that! Considering people steal $billions from Microsoft every year its about time they enforce their IP. This whole "evil Microsoft" attitude is getting old. Its business, grow up.

[Farris @ Oct 13th 2006 4:15PM]

i hate to break it to ya, but you dont have to pay for winzip. if you forego the $30, all you get is a reminder to pay everytime you open it.

[Pierre Roc @ Oct 28th 2006 12:54PM]

It sound like you work for ms.

[Jim @ Oct 13th 2006 3:48PM]

So what happens when my hard drive crashes - twice?

[Chappy @ Oct 13th 2006 3:50PM]

Kevin, Apple actually doesn't require serial numbers or activation when installing Mac OS X. They do sell a "family pack" license for installation on 5 different computers, but it's no different that the single license. If you're referring to music, Apple allow tracks to be played on up to 5 different computers (and any number of iPods), and you can clear out your list of activated computers once a year. Burning tracks to CD removes the DRM altogether.

[James_C @ Oct 13th 2006 3:54PM]

I re-install windows probably once every 2-3 months, family gets on the computer and something inevitably gets screwed up. Looks like I will wait for a "drastic" price drop, maybe around the FREE mark before I upgrade.

[Trent @ Oct 13th 2006 4:12PM]

This is an untennable situation. Let me offer you these VALID reasons for migrating the OS Software.
1. PC ENTHUSIASTS ( As Jake was so astute to point out. ) For those of us who like to build and re-build PC's just for the sheer fun of it. This just became an expensive hobby.
2. CORPORATE PC's Hard drives stay put, new computer comes in. I would hope the Volume Licence keys that corporations use wont have this limitation, but if they do, corporations MOST ASSUREDLY will not buy Vista then.
3. ACTS OF (insert favorite diety or disgruntled entity) Lightning, Power Spike, Glass of water, 2 year olds, vindictive spouse/shorty, angry roommate, or pets. All of these could do something to fry a CPU/motherboard but usually the hard drive could or might survive. 2x replacements and not only do you have an insurance deductable to pay so they will pay for your new hardware. You get to buy Vista again now.
4. UNRULY PCI-X/E CARD There is always some card that acts poorly in "White box" units (yes Creative Labs... we are talking about YOU!) This unruly card could wreak havok on your system causing you to licence too many times.
5. CHIPSET DRIVERS So were never supposed to update these ever again? Yeah right.

I could go on with more mundane but still valid reasons. But I think these are the SHOWSTOPPERS.

[Jared @ Oct 13th 2006 4:12PM]

Kind of sucks, but makes sense.

[LongStar @ Oct 13th 2006 4:12PM]

Ok , this means that ill buy a Mac Pro and then run a pirated copy of Vista now and then , Vista will be hacked and will be pirated , and i will make that dream come true.

[Peter @ Oct 17th 2006 10:46AM]

Farris - hate to break it to _you_ but the most recent version does stop working after the trial period is over. The "Continue Evaluation" button is grayed out and you either have to buy it or it closes.

[o0adam0o @ Oct 13th 2006 4:17PM]

LPD sorry but SQUARES arent allowed on engadget.com

[disciple83 @ Oct 13th 2006 4:17PM]

Chances are, Microsoft has taken into account the whole Hardware change thing, although I haven't tested Vista so I am not sure. But I have a feeling that things like minor hardware changes, (like HDD for that matter) will be significantly easier to track as far as machine level activation since the somputer must transfer information to MS servers, surely that would include part serial number and such to match the machine which the only discrepancy being the HDD, which isn't a new computer. With a new mobo/processor, they should be able to have the OS scan itself to determine if other parts remained the same.

Anyway, like I said, as advanced as this thing is, surely it would be able to allow for hardware upgrades without a format. I mean, other OS's can do it, why not Windows? There is certainly enough coding taken up on the HDD for it to be there somewhere.

[Magus @ Oct 13th 2006 4:19PM]

So this is like screw you hardcore gamers?
When i was in colege was not unheard of for me to have a new rig every 3 months. I'd sell off the componentes to those looking for them. Out of colege a bit harder to get a turn around on parts but i still do major upgrades every year and i never sell the box whole... I'm not paying em again to use something i own.

[Keith @ Oct 13th 2006 4:20PM]

The irony (too obvious for M$ to see) is that if their bull$hit software was stable, there would not be any need to reinstall it in the first place.

Well, M$ has thrown down the gauntlet. It's gonna be fun to see how well that works for them.

Sigh

[fatecreatr @ Oct 13th 2006 4:30PM]

this isn't all that much different from the current licensing scheme. whether you've read the EULA or not, OEM licensing (the ones that come preinstalled on machines) is not transferable at all. not legally anyway. Boxed product is more liberal and in some cases even allowing multiple installs. corporate licensing is different all together allowing any number of moves from device to device depending on which of the 4 major licensing agreements the companies make.

i doubt this will have any real effect on consumers, and if it does then it will only be the few that actually would change to a box that doesn't come with an OS AND ALSO want to be completely legal about it all.

(i sell this stuff and field these questions very frequently)

[jSn @ Oct 13th 2006 4:30PM]

Yaaawn, this is just people reading the license on an OS that's not available for purchase and assuming they know the facts without checking to be sure. Oh, and what do you know, the whole thing originated on slashdot, no way that crowd could be wrong... heh.

[Matt @ Oct 13th 2006 4:41PM]

Hey, everyone, quit your bitchin.
Vista is still gonna kick XP's ass, if you haven't looked at it yet.

Besides, who has problems with 2 or more hard drive crashes? Just be a computer made this decade and stop your whining

[Steve @ Oct 13th 2006 5:45PM]

"Vista is still gonna kick XP's ass, if you haven't looked at it yet."

*sigh*

Pray tell, exactly what technical benefits is Vista bringing to the table? A new interface? Sorry, but no, the tricks Aero uses have been available to Windows users for quite some time thanks to Windowblinds (and frankly some of the better WB themes look much, much better than Vista). Improved security? Maybe, god I hope so, but past history (and the comments of people much more experienced than I am in the security industry) suggest otherwise. New file system based on SQL Server? Postponed until such time as it actually works. Virtual folders? Moved from new harvard graduate to red-headed stepchild status. Big-ass sidebars for common components to allow users to access them via remote ala media centre? Uh, no. User Account Protection, requiring the user to stick in the admin password for modifying system settings and parts beyond? YES! Uh, but the last report I heard was that it turned out to be more annoying than an office assistant without an off switch owing to the VAST number of dialogue boxes that ensue.

Don't get me wrong here, I was really hoping that MS would put out a trully great OS this time. XP and 2000 were big jumps forward, even with all their security issues, and I wanted something new and interesting to loose my inner geek upon. I still hope they manage it, the last thing I want is another Windows ME as I know who'll be supporting my friends and family when they install it. But right now I see no reason to consider it for home use until at LEAST a year from now and as for business use... Well let me put it this way, by a strange quirk of fate my evaluation MacBook turned up today and, if all goes well, we're considering slowly phasing out 2k from the business in favour of OSX. Why? Because we'd have to upgrade 90% of our hardware anyway to run Vista if performance doesn't improve between now and release and for the money involved we'd be fools not to at least consider the competition.

The fact is Vista SHOULD kick XP's arse, it's been in development for well over five years after all. Unfortunatley a) it's not looking like a huge jump forward, b) there's enough new functionality in security critical areas to make people nervous and c) Vista must also compete with Linux and OSX, especially now that virtualisation software is available and actually working which removes one of the major hurdles to migrating organisations to new platforms. As for the home user, I would say, hand-on-heart, I could have given my mum the Macbook and she'd have had it up and running within the hour WITHOUT MY HELP. And twenty minutes of that hour would have been staring in wonder at the packaging and comparing it to the brown box her friend got from Dell a week ago.

[sammy mazola jr� @ Oct 13th 2006 4:50PM]

I always thought the problem with XP was its lax installation protection scheme.

Vista, sign me up!

[GazzyC @ Oct 13th 2006 5:22PM]

We are engineers and may find this hard during testing but for the average user, its more than enough tho it WILL make motherboard upgrades hard

[ryan @ Oct 13th 2006 5:29PM]

jesus, people, do you really think that microsoft has overlooked something that it took you all of 30 seconds to think up? they may not be perfect, but they aren't a bunch of monkeys picking their butts. wait until you actually know what the hell you're talking about before shitting your pants or you'll spend more on pants than you will on vista.

[Trent @ Oct 13th 2006 5:32PM]

ryan,

I work with Microsoft developers and debuggers (people AND software) EVERY DAY.

Yes I expect them to over look the PC Enthusiasts.

-I work for an IHV.

[tank @ Oct 13th 2006 5:43PM]

It sounds like page 2 of the comments is filled with Microsoft employees.

[b00da @ Oct 13th 2006 5:46PM]

Just one more reason I'm glad I permanently switched to Apple!

[juv3nal @ Oct 13th 2006 5:53PM]

Swapping components is not an easy thing to track fairly. Each individual swap (hard drive, mobo, ram, vid card etc.) might be something that you would reasonably expect them to allow under the terms of the license, but bundle together enough of them and you can swap your whole machine out multiple times. How many machine transfers does it count as if you've swapped mobo & hard drive? How about if you just swap one of those but do it ten times?


As for this:
"What's the big deal. For all that it does it doesn't cost that much."

Maybe not, but for most people it's not just a matter of how much it costs versus what it does; what's more important is how much it costs versus what it does *that the OS they've already paid for and own doesn't do*

[Dave Johnson @ Oct 13th 2006 5:57PM]

Sorry MS apologists, here are the FACTS:
"The first user of the software may reassign the license to another device one time. If you reassign the license, that other device becomes the "licensed device," reads the license for Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate, and Business. In other words, once a retail copy of Vista is installed on a PC, it can be moved to another system only once.

The new policy is narrower than Windows XP's. In the same section, the license for Windows XP Home states: "You may move the Software to a different Workstation Computer. After the transfer, you must completely remove the Software from the former Workstation Computer." There is no limit to the number of times users can make this move. Windows XP Professional's license is identical."

http://www.techweb.com/wire/software/193300234

[Finished Law School @ Oct 13th 2006 6:15PM]

Yet one more legitimate reason to pirate this updated version of XP rather than spend a penny on it.
And also one more example of why Ballmer should be fired from Microsoft.

[LPD @ Oct 13th 2006 6:17PM]

Chappy,
Who do you know who is going to pay full list non-upgrade price for Vista? Either you have a PC running XP so you get an upgrade price, or you buy a new PC with an OEM version which is about the price of an upgrade. Again, unless you build your own PC I don't see you needing to by anything but an upgrade.
As for those that say they reinstall every 2 to 3 months, the license is UNLIMITED on the same PC, you just can't install it on second PC more than once.

[LPD @ Oct 13th 2006 6:29PM]

o0adam0o,
who uses "SQUARE" anymore, have you been watching Westside Story again? Any besides the whole comment is such a EngadgetNazi thing to say, lighten up.

[Chris @ Oct 13th 2006 6:36PM]

"Kind of sucks, but makes sense."

Yes, it does make sense. Dell and HP are the customers Microsoft cares about. We are just the lemmings that keep putting with Microsoft's crap.

[GazzyC @ Oct 13th 2006 6:39PM]

We are engineers and may find this hard during testing but for the average user, its more than enough tho it WILL make motherboard upgrades hard

[LTM @ Oct 13th 2006 6:47PM]

Come back Microsoft Bob; all is forgiven!!

[jabbertrack @ Oct 13th 2006 6:54PM]

You can still call up and get your Vista working on the 3rd transfer

I have to call every time for XP now because it's been on so many different itterations of what I call my home PC

[Craig @ Oct 13th 2006 7:22PM]

Basically you may transfer you license 0 times. By the time you install Vista on your computer you will realize you need to upgrade in order to run it.

[Juan Lopez @ Oct 13th 2006 8:02PM]

This is sad. Something elligal has to be made to excuse this!

[Ndric @ Oct 13th 2006 8:02PM]

OMG!

ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL ME MICROSOFT IS TRYING TO MAKE MONEY OFF US FOR SOMETHING *THEY* MADE?!

*gasp*