I have two computers does that mean I have to buy Windows Vista twice?

Question

I have a laptop and a desktop. Does this mean I have to buy to copies of windows vista to upgrade both of them or can I just buy one?

Answer 1

You need two copies. Vista is licensed on a per machine basis.

Answer 2

I'm afraid you will have to buy two packages. Check this out.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20061004/microsoft-windows-vista-piracy.htm

Install Windows Vista on Two Computers
http://www.itworld.com/Comp/2218/061027vistalicensing/
Microsoft clarifies Vista licensing; users still irked
IDG News Service 10/27/06

Elizabeth Montalbano, IDG News Service, New York Bureau
Microsoft Corp. on Thursday finally attempted to clear up confusion over licensing of Windows Vista for power users who rebuild their PCs on a regular basis. But the answer from the software vendor did little to placate some users, who are still upset about Microsoft's one-machine transfer policy for Vista.
According to Microsoft spokesman Mike Burk, Microsoft users who frequently change the hardware configuration of the system running Vista may fail Vista's new Software Protection Platform software-validation feature more than once. If they did, they would be required to purchase an additional license or use Microsoft's support services to activate Vista on a newly configured machine.
As he explained it in an e-mail to the IDG News Service, Microsoft's product-activation process for Vista compares information from the initial validation -- which includes the hardware configuration of the device -- against the new configuration to transfer the license to a new piece of hardware.
This process, an extension of Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program designed to fight software piracy, uses an algorithm to help assess whether the software is installed on the same device, and validation of the software will fail if it detects a "substantially different hardware configuration," he said.
Much more info – too much to copy here.

Answer 3

As far as I know you can install vista on ten computers with the same key number but I do not know if you can activate all of them I am not sure of that . May be some Buddy else know more about that.

Answer 4

I would try to load them both off of your one disk first. I am in an A+ training program, and I asked my instructor that same question. He said MS really is only after the people that load it onto multiple systems and sell for profit.

They probably wouldn't flag that. I plan on loading my copy of XP pro on three of my home computers.

Answer 5

Legally, you are supposed to have a copy of Vista for each computer it is installed on.

Answer 6

particular,in case you have those a million- x64 Bit enable Processor 2- x64 Bit Vista utility For setting up 3- 4GB Ram 4- x64 Bit driving force utility For Vista be conscious: in case you probably did't have 4GB Ram there is little need Of x64 Bit Vista

Answer 7

Yes, you have to buy two. Microsoft does not provide their operating systems to be installed on multiple computers.

Or, you could install a Linux variant on one of them. :)

Answer 8

You need 2 copies for two computers.
That's just the way it is.

Answer 9

I think no, just install it on Both.
If that doesnt work, burn another cd by the original, but that would be illegal, i guess. And I dont reccomend trying it.

Answer 10

From what I have heard, yiu can do it one a desktop and a laptop.