14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft will permit users that have acquired a full or upgrade edition of Windows Vista to install the same copy of the operating system on multiple machines, provided that they own all the additional computers. Sounds just too good to be true. Doesn't it? Well, no. This is the real deal.
According to the current version of the EULA, customers that have acquired a full or an upgrade license of Windows Vista are permitted to install the operating system on a single PC. Users can transfer Windows Vista to another machine only if they first completely remove the operating system from the PC it was initially installed on. The new Microsoft initiative will enable users to install and activate the same copy of Windows Vista across multiple computers.
"Windows Vista requires 1 license per device. When attempting to install and activate the same licensed copy of Windows Vista on another PC, activation won't work. When the activation fails, the user is directed to purchase additional licenses online or by phone. Remember, not properly activating Windows Vista will lead to it running in reduced functionality mode, so this new program is a handy way to avoid that situation. With it, customers can use their original Windows Vista media for installation and activate each installation using the newly purchased licenses. This means there's no need to wait for new media to arrive in the mail -- although that option is available in case the original media is lost or otherwise unavailable," revealed Nick White, Microsoft Product Manager.
The only catch is that Vista customers will have to pay for each of the additional installations of the operating system. Via the Windows Vista Additional License program, Microsoft will allow existing Windows Vista customers to purchase up to 5 additional licenses for just as many PCs. With the five additional licenses, customers will be enabled to deploy a single edition on all other computers they may own. Furthermore, Microsoft will sell these five licenses at a discount price that will be as much as 10% lower compared to the retail price.
"The program is designed to run through the entire product lifecycle of Windows Vista; thus, no end date has yet been established. Note that other types of licenses such as Volume Licensing, MSDN, TechNet and evaluation copies do not qualify for the Additional License Program," White added.