Question

Theoretically, can you activate Windows XP, Vista, 7, on identical machines? For example, if peter and tom got the same machines at BestBuy, can they activate Windows 7 on both machines since the hardware ID / fingerprint is the same?

I think the normal use is to activate it multiple times on the same machine on different partition, for example, if Win 7 on one partition is slowed down by various app installation, then reinstalling Win 7 on a different partition as a fresh start is allowable.

Answer 1

No. The hardware signature uses data that includes includes system specific things like the NIC card's MAC address and the CPU and hard drive serial numbers.

Answer 2

Installing the same Win7 key on multiple machines is against the EULA. Also, I'm pretty sure that even if the machines are "hardware identical" the hardware will still have different IDs generated.

Answer 3

No.

Even if you bought the same computers, still they have different ID's.

It is totally against the EULA of Windows 7.

What you COULD do is buying a family pack, then you CAN legally install it on more machines. Obviously this will cost you more money.

Hope I could help.

Answer 4

They're not 100% identical, even though you percieve them as such. The OS probably also looks at serial numbers which are unique. That way, 2 identical machines are still totally different to the activation process; if you install on the same machine that's not the case. One good example of having different serial numbers is the motherboard; you can see a thread here where getting the serial number is discussed.

Answer 5

Yes you could.........BUT there are no two IDENTICAL computers. Serial numbers differ between otherwise like computers and that prevents doing what you suggest!

Answer 6

You just activate, then clone the hard drive. No big deal. Works with XP, Vista, it should work with Win7 as well.

Answer 7

According to the EULA, The only "second machine" you can install Windows 7 on is within a virtual machine, on the same host in which the Windows 7 copy is already installed.

Answer 8

Yes, technically, you probably can. You might have to call microsoft licensing and ask them to help you activate the new machine (because, say, you had to replace your previous computer, due to a mainboard problem that you don't fully understand ;). But I'm not sure if the old computer would still be able to go online and get updates once the new one was activated. I think it would work fine though.

Even if just using the software as permitted by the license on one machine though, the DRM is a big inconvenience. Upgrading some components on your own computer can mean having to call microsoft and justify yourself to them. It's much easier to just apply an activation crack.