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One License and multiple PCs, how does it work?

I know for previous versions of Windows, you were allowed to install the same key onto 3 different computers. Is this the same with Windows 7?

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Isn't it kind of the same question? superuser.com/questions/74835/… – Bruce Connor Dec 15 '09 at 0:33
You might be thinking of the Family Pack for Vista and Windows 7. You could install it on up to three computers with these editions. Unfortunately, I believe both have been discontinued, Windows 7 just recently. – Nathaniel Dec 15 '09 at 0:39
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closed as exact duplicate by Jared Harley, Diago Dec 17 '09 at 6:18

This question covers exactly the same ground as earlier questions on this topic; its answers may be merged with another identical question. See the FAQ for guidance on how to improve it.

2 Answers

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There has never been a general "3 computers per license" rule for Windows. Consumer licenses are one computer to one license (at a time). If the license is non-OEM, it's transferable to a new system if it's removed from the old system.

So, to answer your question, Windows 7 operates in the same fashion: one system per consumer license.

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Interestingly, you can run 4 virtual instances on the same computer with one (Ultimate) license, serverfault.com/questions/53409. – hyperslug Dec 15 '09 at 0:16
Virtual machines are not that simple. It might be that windows 7 recognizes the motherboard as being the same, even though it's in a VM, and thus it still counts as the same computer. – Bruce Connor Dec 15 '09 at 0:32
Or, I could have clicked your link and read the post =P. Seems it's actually designed to be able to run 4 VMs. Wonder if they actually count... :-) – Bruce Connor Dec 15 '09 at 0:35
By definition, a VM CANNOT know what sort of machine it's running on. It may be possible to detect it IS in a VM, or at least make a good guess. – Phoshi Dec 16 '09 at 19:50
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up vote 2 down vote

Windows OEM - One machine and dies with that machine. Windows Upgrade - Upgrades a single copy of Windows to the latest version. Windows Fully packaged Product - Only one machine, but can be moved to another machine (can only be installed at one place at any one time). Windows 7 Family Pack - 3 licences for different computers at any one time.

Windows Activation is designed to stop pirates from installing on hundreds of computers, if you just install it on a couple of machines, it will work - and if you hit the limit, then ring them up, they usually authorise it HOWEVER it doesn't mean it is legal to break the limits just because it works.

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