Vista license to only allow one computer transfer
By Cyrus Farivar 
posted October 13th 2006 3:21PM
posted October 13th 2006 3:21PM
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.
OMG!
ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL ME MICROSOFT IS TRYING TO MAKE MONEY OFF US FOR SOMETHING *THEY* MADE?!
*gasp*
OMG, Microsoft is absolutely DARING you to switch to Apple.
WTF are they thinking? The XP system worked OK. Too much activity on one activation code and you had to make a phone call. Problem solved.
I swap hardware all the time but I only run one copy because I like to keep it legit. So basically I'm the type of PC user they don't care about.
I'm so tempted to buy a PS3 for gaming and an Apple PC and be done with MS. While I'm at it, I'll dump PocketPC.
This is sad. Something elligal has to be made to excuse this!
There's really not much changing. Paul Thurrott sums this up nicely here http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_licensing.asp
As Paul Thurrot points out, this is actually no different to windows XP. http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_licensing.asp
Someone earlier pointed out how this move is fairly hostile to the PC enthusiast community. I agree, but I would also turn that around, and point out that the vast majority of users will not be affected. When their computer breaks, they are likely to buy a new one from a major vendor, with Vista pre-installed.
Plus, don't we have to admit that Microsoft really does have a problem with software piracy? Remind me again why they are not allowed to protect their property?
In summary, this just doesn't seem deserving of the gnashing of teeth in many of the other posts.
Are you working for Microcrash?
Although I don't agree with this, Microsoft do have the right to enforce their IP. Also, I don't think this will apply to a hard-disk failure or reformat? ie. a transfer means physically being installed on a different machine (different motherboard), though I'm not sure about this.
But, yes, 2 transfers is not a lot. Having said that, I'm sure 'PC Enthusiasts' will find a way to circumvent this. Where there's a will, there's a way. I don't think their going to switch away from Windows because of this.
Norton Ghost, Acronis True Image, your comments please ?
The only thing Microsoft is getting at is to people working harder and finding even more ways of cracking Vista. In my next PC I'll be installing linux and XGL with no thinking if Microsoft keeps with that attitude, specially wince their OS is so unstable and insecure that I have to reinstall it once and again, something linux hasn't make me do since I installed months ago.
Oh, man. I should purchase 10+ copies of Academy edition of Vista just in case.
I remember that when XP just came out, there was same issue like this one. So, don't worry guys. We are gonna get through the situation.
By the way, I'm really considering to move to Linux.
This Sucks. I work in computer retail where I do a lot of upgrades in a week. You can just imagine peoples faces when I have to tell them they also have to buy a new Windows to go with their new parts. This will kill my job/business. Anyone know how much people in call centers make? I can see a new (forced) career for me soon.
A couple of people have mentioned it, but it bears repeating...
OEM copies are already wedded to the first PC they are installed on, they are not ever transferrable. And I'll bet a lot of commenters are running the OEM version, so this does not affect them..
Several points:
1. This really will have almost no practical impact on anyone. Most people are running OEM Windows licenses, which already have similar restrictions.
2. I have installed an OEM license on a machine that has only the most superficial similarity to the OEM PC it came with, e.g. a cable in common, all other components different.
3. Does the new license define what constitutes a new PC, e.g. "upgrade" everything (case, motherboard, etc.) but a SATA cable. Is this a new PC or an upgraded version of an old one?
4. Unless MS has reason to believe that the OS is being pirated it is likely they will continue their policy of authorizing almost all reinstallations after a phone call.
How about just adding more memory? If you want a new license key go ahead and do it.
There is a program for XP called "RockXP." Run it and it can give you your key and serial number for any XP product. You can also save a file on a seperate disc so that you do not have to reactivate Windows if you format your HDD/reload XP. Someone will hopefully be able to come up something like this for Vista, right?
okey so i am not a linux fan or a microsoft hater, but at one hand we have canonical begging us to rip them off, on the other hand we have people begging microsoft to rip them off! i mean for goodness sake, dont DRM us it to stone age!
https://shipit.ubuntu.com/
http://www.ubuntu.com/support/faq#head-7eef2db63e0a75424cdd663ee6f7b8eedcf19607
Mmm, now tell me again, why do you people use Microsoft stuff?
And this is one reason why Mac users are so smug: we are smug.
waddo
http://www.waddo.net/
Linux here I come!
Most of you idiots trying to switch to linux have no idea how much of a pain in the ass it is to maintain. Want to play your favorite game? Hope you're happy with it running like shit. While I'm using ubuntu right now, don't kid yourself, there are a lot of shortcomings in linux that aren't in windows. Half the people in this thread don't even know what sudo means and will try to switch to linux only to switch back when they have to access the terminal to install and configure things. It's not as easy as clicking on an exe and automating the process. Expect to do a fair amount of typing and looking to install a feature you need like wireless. Expect to contribute more time maintaining your computer than using it in the long run.
whoever is in charge of such decisions at MS should be boiled in his own stupidity. ALL this will do is hurt legit nontechicaly inclined regular users. This will do NOTHING to stop people from pirating their product or using a cracked version. and is going to be more of a pain in the backside than its worth for ALOT of people.
does not conform with German law, so let's see what happens...
I run a legal copy of XP and can't authenticate to update my software now without a bypass. This same computer runs everything I use on my Linux partition except the games. And you know what, Microsoft is making me so mad with their paranoia that I am about to give up XP and DirectX games. This is how strongly I feel about not using Vista. I am from Seattle, everyone. I had friends that worked there. Microsoft compromises our privacy and now our right to install our legal copy on as many new computers as we want. I buy a new computer every year. I say no to Vista and I will actively campaign against MS in favor of Linux.
Syndication - You are so right. If all you want to do is use a browser, send email, write some notes and listen to music, Linux is fine. And for many people that is all they really do, but once you have to start installing things and finding files, it's so different from Windows it's not even funny. I'm not saying it can't be learned, of course it can. but you are right, unless you are willing to make a complete change to Linux, most people are going to find it too confusing and time consuming and will switch back just to get their task done and move on to something else.
Pardon my blurb but for those of you who decide that this one time allowance will keep you from going Vista. Here's a site not Windows Update, but will do like Windows Update,no authentication. Must use s browser other that IE to download updates, but you can view the site with IE.
http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/
Umm..Most people dont pirate windows. Very few acctually just in some markets they do it like in nigeria. Why Mess up everybody?
Microsoft's share price will collapse during the first release cycle of Vista (before SP2 or before the next incremental release).
Microsoft doesn't even follow their own policy on number of XP installs PER YEAR.
According to Microsoft you will not have to call in if you meet their policy.
Bull crap, you can fall well within their policy, be forced to call in, and still get hassled.
Now with Vista not only can you be stuck with a broken computer, Vista in essence is worthless if you have more than one major hardware failure.
I upgrade my computer twice a year, motherboard, and all major upgrades. Also I live in Florida so computer failure is much more common.
With this situation instead of buying 4 licenses like I usually do I will buy ONLY ONE. There is too much to lose. $100-$450 a pop X4 - I DON'T THINK SO.
I tried Vista and it was the first OS in my opinion that Microsoft did a pretty good job with. But now I will advise people if they have to get it buy the basic and only buy one license.
So what good is a 4 year warranty on a computer if it breaks the first year you have it and the second year you do major upgrades to it (or breaks again)?
Your warranty just went out the window, who wants a computer without the OS that came with it.
This is the worst mistake Microsoft will ever make in my opinion. It is going to cost them dearly. Talk about screwing yourself. The guy/gal who created this new policy must love Unix, be a spy, and an expert at Sabotage.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I build/rebuild these PCs on a regular basis. This will suck for those Dell/Gateway/IBM PCs that need rebuilt due to poor quality parts. I've replaced hard drives & mobos in the same PCs over & over. So there goes that idea. Furthermore, some of my users are retarded and continue to download/install viruses/spyware & crippling the OS to the point needing a reload. One or two reloads isn't enough for these people - they screw up more than that! On top of that, I've replaced optical drives on XP machines and was made to reactivate... How's that gonna work out!?
More Situations
1 hardcore users, hard programers, user off heavy software working with audio video, they need format frequently for clean the system with a fresh install
2 Hardcore gamers, new socket every or new DDR or new video bus every months, all this = new mother board overclockers, new HD, who want to have alway the last tecnologi, they need formar frequently for new hardware upgrade
Now I can see 3 way only, stay with my PC without changes for a long time like OFICE USERS or buy 2 Vista licences per year or stay with Windows XP missing all new software coming for Vista.
Lol I have original windows but now I will wait for the hack if they do not change the license
@Ian Jardine: XP Pro: yes, as often as you need; Vi$ta: only once after you screw up the machine it came on. That's what they said; ignoring it won't make it go away.
@LPD - I am hoping you are planning to publish your checking account information on-line; since you think re-purchasing the operating system on your computer every other time there is a hardware "oopsie", you must be rich enough to provide us poor working stiffs with a similar point-of-view.
@Javaflash - M$ isn't going anywhere my young Padawan. They know they've got 95+% of the market tied up and addicted to Office and IE. They know they can twist the arms of anyone they like (even the Feds were powerless before them). MTFBWY.
@Jman888 - Yes, only the rest of the world pirates M$ ... so why does Uncle Bill punish we, the paying customers? Doh! Because he can. You think he built the 40,000 sq ft techno-wonder mansion in Medina by being a nice guy? (ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates'_house)
@Rkillcrazy - frankly, if I was in the biz (and that may be my next career option as my job has been outsourced to Europe of all places), I would be getting into Linux and how to set it up for casual users (ie, John Q Public) for email, surfing, games and the occassional Office doc. The power users will have their computers set up and maintained by the corporate IT toadie so you won't have to deal them anyhow.
So. Anyone see the latest wrinkle in M$ policy in Africa and few other non-US spots? Yep. The subscription model (ie, pay by the month) is alive and well; M$ is considering adding Office to the model. If things work out, in the next few years, we'll all be converted to the subscription model. Hmmm. Phone bill. Gas & electric bill. Tax bill. Water bill. M$ bill. Yep, just another Bill all right. His progeny can't live long enough to spend the new money, eh?
This may be worth a read, as your facts seem to be wrong:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=158
I did install a legitimate copy of Vista, that I obtained FROM MICROSOFT. I registered, I was the good little girl and did all that I was told. I did NOT try to install it on a new PC. And guess what, it's now telling me that my copy is not "genuine" and has crippled my machine. I have been using PC's since the DOS days, but I am so furious right now that I will absolutely buy a Mac the next time around. Microsoft f****d the consumer.
Here is an very interesting aspect of Windows Vista and the activation ripoff. You don't have to transfer your operating system to be forced to purchase another license key. In the free USA (I don't understand why some are freer than others) all you have to do is upgrade your memory. I upgraded from 2GB to 4GB on a Vista Business 64Bit version and was asked to reactivate my? operating system. After I tried this the server came back stating that this number is already in use and Vista will stop working after 30 Day. So be it, I am not going to purchase another key since this is pure ripoff.
I believe that Microcrash has outdone them self and they overstepped their bounds. In the past the Windows Operating System stopped working many, many times for no apparent reason. In older versions the only way for John Doe to get it working again was to re-install the operating system. This will not be any different from the Vista Version since there are only a few power surges needed to screw it up. If a large amount of people thinks the same way as I do, Linux has a very good chance to boot Mircocrash off the surface of the earth.
With Regards,
Norbert Seibert
Doesn't it get a little old, u know, the whole, "screw M$, I am switching to Linux, or Apple" song and dance. Just go ahead and switch already and stop the friggin whining!