I would like to know if it is legal to use the same Windows 7 Home Premium license key on my laptop and on my desktop? Someone told me that I could because MS allows you to use the same key on a laptop and a desktop. I have searched but cannot seem to find an answer that satisfies me.
Thoughts?
I tried to do it and it fails when you install on the 2nd box. I think "Activation" is there for that purpose. However you can purchase a family pack that can be used to upgrade up to 3 computers in the same household:
According to the EULA, it's pretty black and white. This is for the retail copy, I'm betting the OEM copy is even more restrictive.
a. One Copy per Computer. The software license is permanently assigned to the computer with which the software is distributed. That computer is the “licensed computer.”
b. Licensed Computer. You may use the software on up to two processors on the licensed computer at one time. Unless otherwise provided in these license terms, you may not use the software on any other computer.
c. Number of Users. Unless otherwise provided in these license terms, only one user may use the software at a time on the licensed computer.
d. Alternative Versions. The software may include more than one version, such as 32-bit and 64-bit. You may use only one version at one time. If the manufacturer or installer provides you with a one-time selection between language versions, you may use only the one language version you select.
Also worth noting that, having a single processor with multiple cores still counts as one processor according to the EULA. While, a single die with four cores might offer similar performance (sort of) to four dies with single cores -- only the former would fly with this license.
No, it's not legal to use the same operating system license key on more than one machine.
You might be confusing the situation with licensed software like perhaps Word and Visual Studio that might allow you to install and run on more than one machine as long as you only run one copy at a time.
As Droidln.net said, you need a family pack in order to this legally.
The other options to you are a fully packaged product - install on as many machines as you like - but only allowed to be on one machine at any one time. Or you can use OEM, but if you plan on getting a new pc (you are allowed to upgrade an existing one), the licence will die with that machine.
But, for any standard licence other than family pack, it is not legal and you will be breaking the EULA.
Lastly, Microsoft do have various licensing schemes that do allow a single serial key for multiple uses - however, these are not really designed for home users and can get very complicated!
You can 'technically' use the same license on many physical machines as long as only one and only one of those machines is in phyisical use. For your example you can 'technically' have windows installed on your desktop and laptop machine and as long as one of them is turned off and not in physical use you're good to go.
As you have found out from other answers, activation will probably prevent you from doing this. Activation is set to gather details about your hardware (CPU, disk drive, motherboard, etc) and create a custom key that will only allow that machine to run a valid version of windows. Moving the installation to another physical machine will cause the hardware detection to fire off again and invalidate the installation.
Good luck and hope hope this helps some.
Someone told me that I could because MS allows you to use the same key on a laptop and a desktop.
Someone was obviously referring to the old XP Professional EULA which caused some confusion back in the day:
The Product may not be used by more than two (2) processors at any one time on any single Workstation Computer.
Of course, a Laptop does qualify as a workstation in this context. Who thought "Cool, i can use it on my workstation AND my laptop" was wrong, this didn't go down too well with the Windows XP Activation Server :)
However, Droidln.net's answer is spot on regarding the legality of using the same product with the same license on more than one computer.
I called microsoft and the tech support said that you can use the license on ONE desktop and ONE laptop. She told me this when i was inquiring about the anytime upgrade for my laptop.
