Vista Licensing Question

Discussion in 'Software' started by TheOneGreatX, Feb 21, 2007.

  1. TheOneGreatX

    TheOneGreatX VIP Member

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    I have one product key for Vista. Is it legal for me to install this one copy of Vista on two hard drives in the same computer, effectively dual booting?
    Not that I'm thinking of doing this, but I'm wondering if it would be legal.
     
    TheOneGreatX, Feb 21, 2007
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  2. TheOneGreatX

    James Photojournalist

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    That's a good question... I would say that it probably is legal since it's tied to the same hardware IDs but when it comes to activate Vista you'll have a problem.
     
    James, Feb 22, 2007
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  3. TheOneGreatX

    Crimson Devil's Advocate VIP Member

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    Does the EULA say one licence per computer or instance of Vista? That would answer the question. I don't have Vista so I can't look it up for you.
     
    Crimson, Feb 23, 2007
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  4. TheOneGreatX

    Core in pounce mode Moderator

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    I do this on XP all the time due to needing a regular gaming/email etc install and a more stripped media production install. Activation has never been an issue since the hardware is the same.

    I hope Vista behaves as well.
     
    Core, Feb 23, 2007
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  5. TheOneGreatX

    Crimson Devil's Advocate VIP Member

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    That's because the XP EULA states that an XP Licence is per computer. If Vista is per instance than they can force consumers to buy a 2nd licence for 2 instances of Vista on 1 host. It's all in the wording of the EULA.
     
    Crimson, Feb 23, 2007
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  6. TheOneGreatX

    Core in pounce mode Moderator

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    According to Vista's EULA (Home/Premium/Ultimate), it's one copy per device.

     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2007
    Core, Feb 23, 2007
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  7. TheOneGreatX

    Crimson Devil's Advocate VIP Member

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    Well than... According to this, legally you can have only 1 copy (or instance) of Vista on a computer per license.

    And there's no 64/32 bit loophole.
    Thanks for pulling the EULA Core. Unfortunately, MS is getting stricter on their EULA.
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2007
    Crimson, Feb 23, 2007
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  8. TheOneGreatX

    Core in pounce mode Moderator

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    What about virtual instances?

    Let's say you're developing Windows apps and you're using Vista to run your RADs etc. It's hardly uncommon to run a virtual instance of a clean Windows install in an effort to provide better testing grounds for your application. Would Vista's EULA mean you can forget about doing this - legally - on a Vista machine?

    [edit] From the looks of it, the Business edition's EULA allows running a virtual instance of Vista on a machine on which it is already installed, so long as no DRM content etc is accessed. Home/Premium/Ultimate don't allow it at all.

    Microsoft's EULAs are all available at http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/default.aspx.
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2007
    Core, Feb 23, 2007
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  9. TheOneGreatX

    Crimson Devil's Advocate VIP Member

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    That's surprising. I figured anything Busness was setup for they'd allow on Ultimate.
     
    Crimson, Feb 23, 2007
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