Tom's Hardware > Forum > Windows XP > Windows XP General Discussion > Multiple computers same Xp Possible?
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master_andalf   07-03-2008 at 05:30:37 AM

Hello all,

I have a legitimate copy of windows Xp Pro, and have successfully installed it on my home desktop, a good downgrade from Vista, but i have more than one computer and would like to also put Xp on another as well, can i use the same product key on the second computer I install Xp on , and run them both at the same time?

Thanks for the help


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Zoron   07-03-2008 at 08:32:20 AM
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No such thing as a good downgrade...

Technically, no, you are not allowed to install one copy of Windows on more than one computer. You will not be able to activate it on the second computer... and you'll have Windows Genuine Advantage constantly nagging you.

------------------------------ Desktop: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit; Intel Q6600 CPU; E-VGA 780i SLI motherboard; E-VGA E-GeForce 8800GT; OCZ Vista 4GB dual-channel kit; Ultra X2 750W power supply; 2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB in RAID 0. Laptop: Acer Aspire 8730-6314;
 Reply to Zoron
master_andalf   07-04-2008 at 04:57:55 AM
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it was a good downgrade because i didnt have vista ultimate, and my computer doesnt have the balls to run it

Reply to master_andalf
Zoron   07-04-2008 at 05:31:40 AM
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You really don't need Ultimate... Home Premium is plenty for most users. I wanted Ultimate because I wanted all the features of Home Premium plus the features of Business. (I do a limited amount of work remotely... so having Ultimate is useful for me)

------------------------------ Desktop: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit; Intel Q6600 CPU; E-VGA 780i SLI motherboard; E-VGA E-GeForce 8800GT; OCZ Vista 4GB dual-channel kit; Ultra X2 750W power supply; 2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB in RAID 0. Laptop: Acer Aspire 8730-6314;
 Reply to Zoron
Flakes   07-04-2008 at 10:31:53 AM
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strange most ppl consider going from Vista to XP an upgrade.

anyway since this is a legimate site that doesn't support piracy, technically you should buy another copy of XP for the second computer.

Reply to Flakes
4ryan6   07-05-2008 at 12:49:45 AM
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Well you could always not activate the installations then after 30 days, format and reinstall, each machine over again.

If you were game for all that hassle you could effectively use WinXP on as many computers as you can get your hands on, for 30 days at a time and MSFT couldn't do a thing about it.

------------------------------ Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!
 Reply to 4ryan6
wez   07-20-2008 at 01:10:50 AM
- 0 +

Hi

There is a way of legally activating windows with a key that has been used too many times. To do this simply go to the activation screen (the two keys in the tray) you can also access this by using the following run command, oobe/msoobe /a, select to telephone customer services, select country, ring the phone number, go through the automated options, they will ask you some questions (sometimes this is skipped), tell them that you purchased the windows via a retail outlet and that it is only installed on the one computer. They will then give you a series of numbers place these in the boxes and click next. Bobs your uncle XP = activated.

By the way this is completely legal. I know this as i was told how to do
this by a microsoft employee.

Hope this helps

WeZ

Reply to wez
wez   07-20-2008 at 01:22:07 AM
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fogot to mention tell them u made major hardware changes like a new motherboard.

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Zoron   07-29-2008 at 06:54:38 PM
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No, it's NOT legal, as it is still installed on two computers. You are essentially lying to Microsoft when you say it's only installed on one. Just because you can get away with it doesn't mean it's "legal".

------------------------------ Desktop: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit; Intel Q6600 CPU; E-VGA 780i SLI motherboard; E-VGA E-GeForce 8800GT; OCZ Vista 4GB dual-channel kit; Ultra X2 750W power supply; 2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB in RAID 0. Laptop: Acer Aspire 8730-6314;
 Reply to Zoron
wez   07-29-2008 at 07:09:32 PM
- 0 +

at the end of the day dude its your perogative, if microsoft are stupid enough to let you do it then its there fault. and its not illegal its called a loophole.

Reply to wez
Zoron   07-30-2008 at 03:48:10 AM
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Then by all means tell MS that you have the same copy of one OS installed on multiple computers and see what happens...

It's not a loophole either, you are flat out lying. If you have to lie to make it work, it's not a "loophole".

------------------------------ Desktop: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit; Intel Q6600 CPU; E-VGA 780i SLI motherboard; E-VGA E-GeForce 8800GT; OCZ Vista 4GB dual-channel kit; Ultra X2 750W power supply; 2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB in RAID 0. Laptop: Acer Aspire 8730-6314;
 Reply to Zoron
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