Windows Licensing in schools

Drunkenmassacre · 8 Mar 2011 at 22:28

Hi guys, my mum's getting a bit worried so I thought I'd run her problme by you guys.

Basically, she's ordered 16 new computers for a primary school. Each computer comes with Vista (yuck) preinstalled, but to keep in tune with the rest of the school, she wants to use XP.

There are 16 PC's being replaced all with valid licenses for XP. Can the licenses be swapped onto the new machines? I'd have thought so, but I'm a bit noobish to licensing, more so when it comes to school computers!

Cheers guys

SiriusB · 8 Mar 2011 at 22:30

If those 16 old PCs came pre-installed with XP, then they will be OEM and you cannot transfer them to a new machine.

Vista, however, may still have downgrade rights. You will need to contact the supplier to see if this is true, and to get media. Though I am surprised you managed to buy anything with Vista since 7 has been around for well over a year now.

Drunkenmassacre · 8 Mar 2011 at 22:40

Cheers for the quick reply, I think thats cleared things up a bit!

Raumarik · 8 Mar 2011 at 23:53

Education discounts on software is pretty insane so it won't cost a lot for licenses anyway mate! Also get her to check with her local LEA if there is one as they may have a volume licence agreement of some kind going with Microsoft.

nightmare99 · 9 Mar 2011 at 08:32

If those new machines come with Vista Business you are allowed to install XP on them under downgrade rights. Are the new machines second hand? I would have expected them to come with Windows 7.