Do I own Windows on my Laptop 100%

[byrdawg]

I bought an Laptop with Vista Home Premium 32bit.
If I install a FULL version of Windows 7 on this Laptop, can I use the Vista Home Premium 32bit key from the laptop on one of my other desktops?
If so, would I talk to Microsoft or the manufacturer to get a disk without all the manufacturer "Bonus" software?

 

[theog]

I bought an HP with Vista Home Premium 32bit.
If I install a FULL version of Windows 7 on this Laptop, can I use the Vista Home Premium 32bit key from the laptop on one of my other desktops?
If so, would I talk to Microsoft or HP to get a disk without all the HP "Bonus" software?

Have a read:

Microsoft changes OEM license, forcing new purchases after motherboard upgrade - Wikinews, the free news source

http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/e/3/4e3eace0-4c6d-4123-9d0c-c80436181742/OSLicQA.doc

Microsoft changes OEM license, forcing new purchases after motherboard upgrade - Wikinews, the free news source

 

[dinesh]

Can I use the Vista Home Premium 32bit key from the laptop on one of my other desktops?

No.

 

[smarteyeball]

Can I use the Vista Home Premium 32bit key from the laptop on one of my other desktops?

No.

+1

And technically speaking, nobody actually 'owns' their copies of Windows - It's still considered Microsofts property, regardless of how it was purchased.

Essentially you are paying for the right to use Windows

 

[dinesh]

Can I use the Vista Home Premium 32bit key from the laptop on one of my other desktops?

No.

+1

And technically speaking, nobody actually 'owns' their copies of Windows - It's still considered Microsofts property, regardless of how it was purchased.

Essentially you are paying for the right to use Windows

In addition to my highly esteemed colleague, You can activate only 1 copy of windows with 1 key.

 

[Imperfect1]

No.

And technically speaking, nobody actually 'owns' their copies of Windows - It's still considered Microsofts property, regardless of how it was purchased.

Essentially you are paying for the right to use Windows

In addition to my highly esteemed colleague, You can activate only 1 copy of windows with 1 key.

It's actually a "license" to use Windows, and the license is limited by the terms that Microsoft has set. Apparently Microsoft has given itself the right to change or "update" the terms of the license. Very uncool.

Also, I was under the impression that the license allowed users to install the product on up to 3 home computers. Is that not correct?

 

[archie123]

im guessing you didnt even get a copy of windows when you bought the pc , just a recovery partition , the whole thing is a bit of a rip off tbh

 

[smarteyeball]

It's actually a "license" to use Windows, and the license is limited by the terms that Microsoft has set.

That was a better way of wording it

Also, I was under the impression that the license allowed users to install the product on up to 3 home computers. Is that not correct?

Not for OEM copies.

 

[Imperfect1]

It's actually a "license" to use Windows, and the license is limited by the terms that Microsoft has set.

That was a better way of wording it

I sure hope so, 'cause I like to think that word-smithing is my forte --- I'm a lawyer.

 

[smarteyeball]

I sure hope so, 'cause I like to think that word-smithing is my forte --- I'm a lawyer.

Well, there is no objection here...



(pun very much intended )

 

[Marty Marshalek]

You can use an upgrade disc of Windows 7 though. I don't think you need your Vista key for the upgrade disc, you just need to pass Windows Genuine Authentication. If you do need a key though, I'm pretty sure you can use the one in the Vista registry anyway through the use of the Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder (yes that is a real software) which searches your registry for the key stored in Vista.

 

[byrdawg]

In addition to my highly esteemed colleague, You can activate only 1 copy of windows with 1 key.

I understand what you folks are saying, but to clarify. I am not trying to cheese the system. I was saying I currently have ONE, so if I bought another FULL version, Then that makes 2 FULL Keys to activate. Or in the case my laptop became spare parts on ebay, could I build a computer with that OS key. 1 Key for 1 Computer is how I am rolling.

 

[byrdawg]

im guessing you didnt even get a copy of windows when you bought the pc , just a recovery partition , the whole thing is a bit of a rip off tbh

Not to vent (Just got off the phone with these folks), but hopefully to help keep someone from making the same mistake I did... Only buy a laptop over a self built desktop if you REALLY need the mobility. There are tons of options available from cloud computer to huge thumb drives.

What's more, after the laptop manufacturer's software doesn't recognize a DVD burner installed in order to make the recovery disks (MIND YOU, NERO is spitting out DVD's left and right) and the "Recovery partition hangs in a loop when reinstalling the manufacturer's software, I called tech support - in warranty. No one even tried to diagnose it, but said "all we ask you to do is pay S&H and we will send you CD's." After waiting on hold for 10minutes, I found out S&H was $30.00 for a 50cent disk of a license I already paid for to be mailed from CA to TX.
My father's laptop (different major brand) has had a power problem - CMOS battery and power jack. The authorized dealers got snappy with me and they will only sell whole Mobos ($450.00) because THEY soldered on the CMOS battery and all the info on battery voltage and power jacks and stuff are not listed.
If someone has an laptop manufacturer they feel comfortable buying from again without getting wool over their eyes please post as I would like to feel confident in techno manufacturers since everything is eventually going there. Plus I need to know who to give my money to next.

Definitely go through the motions with tech support as if something will go wrong before you buy.

 

[dinesh]

In addition to my highly esteemed colleague, You can activate only 1 copy of windows with 1 key.

I understand what you folks are saying, but to clarify. I am not trying to cheese the system. I was saying I currently have ONE, so if I bought another FULL version, Then that makes 2 FULL Keys to activate. Or in the case my laptop became spare parts on ebay, could I build a computer with that OS key. 1 Key for 1 Computer is how I am rolling.

That's nice.

 

[MDOC]

I sure hope so, 'cause I like to think that word-smithing is my forte --- I'm a lawyer.

Objection--you don't need to be a lawyer to have a forte in word-smithing.

 

[Imperfect1]

I sure hope so, 'cause I like to think that word-smithing is my forte --- I'm a lawyer.

Objection--you don't need to be a lawyer to have a forte in word-smithing.

No, of course not, many people are very skilled in their use of language. But, of ALL the people who have a way with words, people count on some of us to use that skill/gift to help them out --- so if I want to be the most effective attorney that I can be, to best help my clients, I'd better be a dern good word-smither.