upgrading from xp home to xp pro

[Guest clueless O]

we need to upgrade the 2 computers at our little office from xp home to xp

pro. We bought the xp pro Upgrade at the store.

 

(1) Does it only work on 1 computer? Do I need to get one for each of the 2

computers?

 

(2) I read somewhere that we'll need the actual original xp home disc from

each computer during the upgrade, is that true? (xp home was preinstalled on

the computers and I don't know if we actually have the discs - we have the

licenses).

 

Thanks in advance for all youre help

 

Owen

[Guest Ken Blake, MVP]

Re: upgrading from xp home to xp pro

 

On Sat, 7 Jul 2007 15:12:02 -0700, clueless O <clueless

O@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> we need to upgrade the 2 computers at our little office from xp home to xp

> pro. We bought the xp pro Upgrade at the store.

>

> (1) Does it only work on 1 computer?

 

 

Yes. The rule is quite clear. It's one copy (or one license) for each

computer.

 

There's nothing new here. This is exactly the same rule that's been in

effect on every version of Windows starting with Windows 3.1. The only

thing new with XP is that there's now an enforcement mechanism.

 

 

 

> Do I need to get one for each of the 2

> computers?

 

 

Yes.

 

> (2) I read somewhere that we'll need the actual original xp home disc from

> each computer during the upgrade, is that true?

 

 

 

No. You need the CD only to do a clean installation with the Upgrade

version.

 

> (xp home was preinstalled on

> the computers and I don't know if we actually have the discs - we have the

> licenses).

 

 

 

However if you ever decide to do a clean installation in the future,

you will need the CD of some previous qualifying version.

 

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

[Guest Bruce Chambers]

Re: upgrading from xp home to xp pro

 

clueless O wrote:

> we need to upgrade the 2 computers at our little office from xp home to xp

> pro. We bought the xp pro Upgrade at the store.

>

> (1) Does it only work on 1 computer? Do I need to get one for each of the 2

> computers?

>

 

 

You need to purchase a separate WinXP license for each computer on

which you install it.

 

Just as it has *always* been with *all* Microsoft operating

systems, it's necessary (to be in compliance with both the EULA and U.S.

copyright law http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/117.html), if not

technically) to purchase one WinXP license for each computer on which it

is installed. (Consult an attorney versed in copyright law to determine

final applicability in your locale.) The only way in which WinXP

licensing differs from that of earlier versions of Windows is that

Microsoft has finally added a copy protection and anti-theft mechanism,

Product Activation, to prevent (or at least make more difficult)

multiple installations using a single license.

 

One can buy additional licenses, assuming one already has a retail

license. Naturally, Microsoft cannot sell additional OEM licenses. Be

aware, however, that you'll probably pay more this way than you would if

you were to buy a second copy of WinXP from a discount retailer;

Microsoft will only offer you a 15% discount off their MSRP.

 

Additional Licenses for Windows XP Home Edition

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/addlic.asp

 

Additional Licenses for Windows XP Professional

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/addlic.asp

 

> (2) I read somewhere that we'll need the actual original xp home disc from

> each computer during the upgrade, is that true? (xp home was preinstalled on

> the computers and I don't know if we actually have the discs - we have the

> licenses).

>

 

You'd need the original WinXP Home installation CDs only if you want to

perform clean installation of WinXP Pro using the Upgrade CDs.

Otherwise, you'd start the upgrade process from within the existing

WinXP Home installation, and won't need the WinXP Home installation disks.

 

 

--

 

Bruce Chambers

 

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