Windows 7 - how many licences?

JoHubb · 22 Nov 2009 at 23:56

I have three PCs running XP Pro 32 bit and one running Vista Home Premium 64 bit on a LAN. Amazingly they talk to each other most of the time although the Vista PC gets the sulks now and then...as does the network printer.

I want to install Windows 7 64 bit on the Vista PC and on the newest XP Pro machines. (Note that I avoid 'upgrade', dread word).

Which version of Windows 7 should I buy? I plan to do a 'custom' i.e. clean install so do I buy the Full Version or the Upgrade version? Can I use the same licence for the clean installs on the Vista and the XP machines? I do not use any of my PCs for commercial purposes.

Thanks,

John

vertica · 23 Nov 2009 at 00:44

no you cant use the same licence for two machines. each one requires it's own copy of windows to be legally licenced

PhillyDee · 23 Nov 2009 at 00:50

One license per machine. If you install on more than one, MS finds it through updates etc and it may completely block your license. It certainly will not work for long. Ive heard of a family pack that is good for up to 3 machines, but no idea if it is out.

SiriusB · 23 Nov 2009 at 01:12

You can buy a family pack via the Microsoft UK Store http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/Microsoft/Windows-7-Home-Premium-Family-Pack-Upgrade

Don't be scared by the word upgrade. You can still do a clean install [on XP machines you have no choice]. What makes it an "upgrade" is there already has to be an existing Microsoft OS on that machine.

Retail copies you can install to any machine regardless of what is already there.

The family pack is Home Premium and you have a choice of 32 and 64 bit. The Product Key is the same for both.

JoHubb · 23 Nov 2009 at 07:35

Thanks to all. Unfortunately, I need some of the features (XP mode; home network backup; languages) which are apparently only available in the Professional and Ultimate versions as shown here.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare/default.aspx

What a pity we cannot have multi-licences for all versions. Both Pro and Ultimate have features which are needed by home users like me who have 'professional', but non-commercial, requirements.

MS has produced what seems to be a pretty good OS but is committed to making life difficult for its loyal and long-suffering customers.

Keltik THC · 23 Nov 2009 at 16:40

i too am trying to decide this, i have Win7 Proffesional running on my main rig, i ideally want all my PCs/laptop networked with Win7 as i now have networking issues as they are all running differnt systems.

But the home version doesnt cut it for me, i bought my profesional version when it was £100 but i am not going to buy another 2 versions of prof for £150 each.

May check if Tiny has done his bit yet

.

spikey57 · 23 Nov 2009 at 16:54

It would be nice to be able to use one license for windows 7 more than once. It would be nice to use it once for 64-bit and once for 32 bit, but impletementing it would be more hassle than its' worth so I can see why they don't do it.

PhillyDee · 23 Nov 2009 at 17:56

Keltik THC said:
i too am trying to decide this, i have Win7 Proffesional running on my main rig, i ideally want all my PCs/laptop networked with Win7 as i now have networking issues as they are all running differnt systems.

But the home version doesnt cut it for me, i bought my profesional version when it was £100 but i am not going to buy another 2 versions of prof for £150 each.

May check if Tiny has done his bit yet .

I have multiple OS running on my network (WHS, Vista, XP and Win7) with no issues whatsoever. Admittedly, the Vista is a dual boot on this PC.

JoHubb · 23 Nov 2009 at 17:59

spikey57 said:
It would be nice to be able to use one license for windows 7 more than once. It would be nice to use it once for 64-bit and once for 32 bit, but impletementing it would be more hassle than its' worth so I can see why they don't do it.

Well, I can't. They allow a multi-use licence for Windows 7 Home Premium (Family), so why not for the other versions? Also, the antivirus companies (ESET, Panda) sell a licence which can be used for up to 3 or 4 home PCs, so what is so difficult about it?

PhillyDee · 23 Nov 2009 at 18:00

JoHubb said:
Well, I can't. They allow a multi-use licence for Windows 7 Home Premium (Family), so why not for the other versions? Also, the antivirus companies (ESET, Panda) sell a licence which can be used for up to 3 or 4 home PCs, so what is so difficult about it?

Only for the family version which is meant for 3 pcs . . . . So they already do.

SiriusB · 23 Nov 2009 at 18:18

His point is, why don't MS offer multi-use licenses for Professional and Ultimate. Home Premium does not meet his needs, but is all MS offer by way of a Family/multi-use pack.

EDIT: No one mention Volume Licensing - that is 5 machine minimum and expensive!