How many computers?

[Antares 531]

I recently built a new desktop computer and bought a box copy of
Windows 7 Home Premium for it. The installation went very well and
I've gotten adapted to Windows 7. I would like to install it on my
old computer, then network the two together, but I'm not sure my copy
will authorize another computer.

This is an upgrade. I installed my old Windows XP Pro on this new
computer while I was checking things out, then upgraded to Windows 7
Home Premium after I was confident that the computer was working as it
should.

Can I use this same copy to update my old computer, or am I required
to buy a separate copy of Windows 7 for it? That is, will the product
key work on the old computer, or will I end up messing up my old
Windows XP Pro on that computer if I try to install Windows 7 on it?

Thanks, Gordon

 

[Seth]

Can I use this same copy to update my old computer, or am I required
to buy a separate copy of Windows 7 for it? That is, will the product
key work on the old computer, or will I end up messing up my old
Windows XP Pro on that computer if I try to install Windows 7 on it?

1 license per machine.

 

[Seth]

1 license per machine.

And 1 machine per license...

 

[relic]

I recently built a new desktop computer and bought a box copy of
Windows 7 Home Premium for it. The installation went very well and
I've gotten adapted to Windows 7. I would like to install it on my
old computer, then network the two together, but I'm not sure my copy
will authorize another computer.

This is an upgrade. I installed my old Windows XP Pro on this new
computer while I was checking things out, then upgraded to Windows 7
Home Premium after I was confident that the computer was working as it
should.

Can I use this same copy to update my old computer, or am I required
to buy a separate copy of Windows 7 for it? That is, will the product
key work on the old computer, or will I end up messing up my old
Windows XP Pro on that computer if I try to install Windows 7 on it?

If you bought the Windows 7 Family Pack, you can install it on 3 machines:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/bu...48752:TM9BXQqoEGQAAE2cQ8AAACc5:20101101223821
(or, http://tinyurl.com/36tmsa3 )

Otherwise, one machine per copy.

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

I recently built a new desktop computer and bought a box copy of
Windows 7 Home Premium for it. The installation went very well and
I've gotten adapted to Windows 7. I would like to install it on my
old computer, then network the two together, but I'm not sure my copy
will authorize another computer.

This is an upgrade. I installed my old Windows XP Pro on this new
computer while I was checking things out, then upgraded to Windows 7
Home Premium after I was confident that the computer was working as
it should.

Can I use this same copy to update my old computer, or am I required
to buy a separate copy of Windows 7 for it? That is, will the product
key work on the old computer, or will I end up messing up my old
Windows XP Pro on that computer if I try to install Windows 7 on it?

Nope. That's why I hung on to Windows 2000 as long as I could.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I recently built a new desktop computer and bought a box copy of
Windows 7 Home Premium for it. The installation went very well and
I've gotten adapted to Windows 7. I would like to install it on my
old computer, then network the two together, but I'm not sure my copy
will authorize another computer.

This is an upgrade. I installed my old Windows XP Pro on this new
computer while I was checking things out, then upgraded to Windows 7
Home Premium after I was confident that the computer was working as it
should.

Can I use this same copy to update my old computer, or am I required
to buy a separate copy of Windows 7 for it? That is, will the product
key work on the old computer, or will I end up messing up my old
Windows XP Pro on that computer if I try to install Windows 7 on it?

Thanks, Gordon

Just as it has *always* been with *all* Microsoft operating systems, and
clearly states on the box, you need to purchase a separate Windows 7
license for each computer on which you install it.




--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Antares 531]

And 1 machine per license...

I thought there was some way to buy an additional licence without
having to buy another full priced box copy of the software. Is this
not possible?

Gordon

 

[Antares 531]

If you bought the Windows 7 Family Pack, you can install it on 3 machines:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/bu...48752:TM9BXQqoEGQAAE2cQ8AAACc5:20101101223821
(or, http://tinyurl.com/36tmsa3 )

Otherwise, one machine per copy.

Thanks, I guess I'll give up on updating the old computer. I bought a
single computer copy, not the Family Pack, and it isn't worth shelling
out another $150 to buy the Family Pack, now. So, if I can't buy an
additional license for one more computer, at a reasonable price, I'll
just get by with the old OS until I throw that computer in the trash.

Thanks, Gordon

 

[Antares 531]

Just as it has *always* been with *all* Microsoft operating systems, and
clearly states on the box, you need to purchase a separate Windows 7
license for each computer on which you install it.

I have no quarrel or disagreement with this, but I was hoping an
add-on licence would not cost as much as the original box copy of
Windows 7 Home Premium. I bought mine on 10/22/2009. I paid $119.99
for my single computer copy (green box) and would like to buy an
additional license at some reasonably lower price. I guess this is
just wishful thinking, on my part, huh?

Gordon

 

[Bob I]

I thought there was some way to buy an additional licence without
having to buy another full priced box copy of the software. Is this
not possible?

Gordon

Volume licensing starts at 5 licenses. Or you could purchase the
"Upgrade Family Pack" with 3 installations on one license. But it is an
UPGRADE, not a standalone.

 

[ray]

Thanks, I guess I'll give up on updating the old computer. I bought a
single computer copy, not the Family Pack, and it isn't worth shelling
out another $150 to buy the Family Pack, now. So, if I can't buy an
additional license for one more computer, at a reasonable price, I'll
just get by with the old OS until I throw that computer in the trash.

You don't really have to do that - you could install Linux on it for free.

 

[GlowingBlueMist]

I have no quarrel or disagreement with this, but I was hoping an
add-on licence would not cost as much as the original box copy of
Windows 7 Home Premium. I bought mine on 10/22/2009. I paid $119.99
for my single computer copy (green box) and would like to buy an
additional license at some reasonably lower price. I guess this is
just wishful thinking, on my part, huh?

Gordon

Check out the link below to get a limited time offer on Windows 7
Professional. With this special deal you can upgrade to Windows 7
Professional for just $64.95. Check it out:
http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/us/software/windows.aspx

With the above said, you still have to meet their requirements, like be
a student and be able to prove it as well as have an email address that
is approved by Microsoft as being connected your school.

It's not perfect but IF you can meet their requirements you can get a
discounted upgrade to Windows 7 Pro.

 

[Valorie *~]

So, if I can't buy an

additional license for one more computer, at a reasonable price, I'll
just get by with the old OS until I throw that computer in the trash.

Thanks, Gordon

Please don't toss it in the trash. Give it away to some poor person who
would love it. I've given old PCs away on both Freecycle and Craigslist
after a reformat and reinstallation of the OS.

 

[Leon Manfredi]

Try renaming the old PC, exactly the same as the Win7.. before new
install....(i.e. computer name, workgroup, description, etc.)

 

[Tinkerer]

If you bought the Windows 7 Family Pack, you can install it on 3 machines:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/bu...48752:TM9BXQqoEGQAAE2cQ8AAACc5:20101101223821
(or, http://tinyurl.com/36tmsa3 )

Here they go again. $149 in the States and £149 in the UK. MS ripping us
Brits off as usual.

 

[Antares 531]

I recently built a new desktop computer and bought a box copy of
Windows 7 Home Premium for it. The installation went very well and
I've gotten adapted to Windows 7. I would like to install it on my
old computer, then network the two together, but I'm not sure my copy
will authorize another computer.

This is an upgrade. I installed my old Windows XP Pro on this new
computer while I was checking things out, then upgraded to Windows 7
Home Premium after I was confident that the computer was working as it
should.

Can I use this same copy to update my old computer, or am I required
to buy a separate copy of Windows 7 for it? That is, will the product
key work on the old computer, or will I end up messing up my old
Windows XP Pro on that computer if I try to install Windows 7 on it?

Thanks, Gordon

Thanks to all who responded. I guess my only option is to buy a box
copy of Windows 7 Pro for three computers, then install it on my
laptop, my old desktop and my wife's desktop computer.

I don't qualify for the student package. I'm a retired medical
research physicist who still does some research work. I just wanted to
synch the files on my new computer and the old one, so I could use the
old computer as a back-up for my important files. But, I can't get my
new computer with Windows 7 Pro and my old computer with Windows XP
Pro to share files.

Both computers seem to check out okay as far as the network setup is
concerned. That is, both computers talk to the router and Wi -Fi to
the Internet. But, each computer is completely blind to the other one,
on the network.

Gordon

 

[Leythos]

I just wanted to
synch the files on my new computer and the old one, so I could use the
old computer as a back-up for my important files. But, I can't get my
new computer with Windows 7 Pro and my old computer with Windows XP
Pro to share files.

You need to learn about Windows Sharing or purchase a cheap external
drive.

 

[Antares 531]

You need to learn about Windows Sharing or purchase a cheap external
drive.

I'm in the process of learning about Windows Sharing, but thus far my
Windows 7 and my Windows XP computers don't want to talk to each other
or share files. I can't even find the second one from the first one.
I'm thinking this may be because Windows XP and Windows 7 are not
compatible as file sharing OS setups.

 

[Leythos]

I'm in the process of learning about Windows Sharing, but thus far my
Windows 7 and my Windows XP computers don't want to talk to each other
or share files. I can't even find the second one from the first one.
I'm thinking this may be because Windows XP and Windows 7 are not
compatible as file sharing OS setups.

On the Windows XP computer, find and select "Simple File Sharing", then
make sure that you have an account with a password - without a password
it won't work.

Now, from the Windows 7 computer, open COMPUTER, at the address bar,
enter \\192.168.0.x\c$ and press enter - when asked for the
user/password, enter the one on the XP computer that has administrator
rights and a valid password.

Change the 192.168.0.x to the IP address of the Windows XP computer.

You will need for both computers to be in the SAME NETWORK, sort of like
this:

Your NAT Router (typical values shown)
IP Address: 192.168.0.1
Mask: 255.255.255.0

Windows XP computer:
IP Address - assigned by DHCP of the router

Windows 7 Computer:
IP Address - assigned by the DHCP of the router

Try that and see if it works

 

[Nil]

I'm in the process of learning about Windows Sharing, but thus far
my Windows 7 and my Windows XP computers don't want to talk to
each other or share files. I can't even find the second one from
the first one. I'm thinking this may be because Windows XP and
Windows 7 are not compatible as file sharing OS setups.

I have absolutely no problem sharing files and printers between my
Windows XP, Vista, and Win 7 computers. So, you're wrong about that.