Vista license allows only one reinstall
If you own a retail version of Windows XP there are no restrictions on the number of times you can transfer the software from one computer to another. Well, that’s about to change for the worse in Vista, with only one lifetime transfer allowed! That limitation on retail licenses is a remarkable change. Previously, a retail license could be removed from one computer and reinstalled on another with no limits. Now, you get to reinstall one time and one time only…
Thanks to zdnet.com.















When reading the Vista EULA, it seems the article may be mistaken. It says that you can make only one transfer. I do not see anywhere that it says that person can not then make a transfer. Perhaps it is that they are reminding you that when you transfer it, your specific license is no longer, that it now belongs to the new owner. Has anyone looked into this?
…except this is not true. Please check your facts first before informing people of something.
I hope this isn’t the case. What would contitute as a transfer, what if I buy a new hard disk and re-install, what if I change a video card, processor or mortherboard at the same time, what constitutes as a tranfer to a new machine?
Few, just read this a feel much better:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_licensing.asp
Paul’s article hardly puts me at ease. All he does is say he doesn’t think it’s much different than XP and hardly anyone will be affected. However, he does NOT say the one-time device transfer is false. He even says enthusiasts WILL be adversly affected.
This is a big deal to those of us who manually upgrade more than every few years. We’re also the ones who usually spend money on more expensive components and on more expensive versions of the operating system (if you’re a windows person). You would think Microsoft would give us a break.
Microsoft are rediculous!
It is too controlling… If I want to reinstall my operating system 1000 times I will do it, if I want to change every piece of hardware in my pc I will do it… it is MY pc… and i don’t run windows for those and many other reasons – besides the OS isn’t worth the money it is up at… This OS will be a big flop just like every other version has been
carry on windows zombies
What a mess this is becoming ! So be it, Linux is where I’ve migrated. I wouldn’t mind seeing OS X be available for all PC’s and not just Apple computers. I think Apple would be wise and pursue that market. Between OS X and Linux, who needs Microsoft ? Ubuntu and others have really put out a nice product, not only is the OS free, but applications are too.