Vista Product Key Activated on multiple machines

I'd like to understand Vista Activation better. Vista allows instal
and re-install on different machines, provided that you are no longe
using the license on the old system. my understanding is that it ma
require a call to get a new activation key

My question is: is there enforcement to prevents someone from using th
same product code simultaneously on several machines ? Is th
activation process completed once or is that activation code checke
periodically to see if the same produce code is used on multipl
machines. It would seem that the latter makes sense, otherwise someon
could just claim that they are reinstalling on different hardware

I'm also wondering if someone can help me understand the virtua
machine scenario. If i install multiple copies, on the same hardware i
a virtual machine, will that require once license per physical CPU

Appreciate some clarification

thx

--
sonicthoughts

Yes activation is enforced. If, for example, you have Vista installed on one
machine and then install that same copy on another machine activation will
simply tell you that 'your product key is already in use.' and activation
will not occur. The only option you have, at this point, is to telephone the
activation line and 'explain' what you have done to warrant another
activation. Obviously the activation line is, primarily, automated so you
have to go through the automated part of activation first, knowing that
activation will be refused (with your scenario anyway). After the automated
activation has been refused you have to wait on the telephone before,
finally, being put through to a 'real' person to discuss your activation
issue.

As for Virtual Machines, each instance of a Virtual Machine, in other words
every install of the operating system, is classed as a separate device.
Therefore if you have installed Vista on 3 VMs the this is classed as 3 PCs
and would require 3 separate licences.

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..


"sonicthoughts" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> I'd like to understand Vista Activation better. Vista allows install
> and re-install on different machines, provided that you are no longer
> using the license on the old system. my understanding is that it may
> require a call to get a new activation key.
>
> My question is: is there enforcement to prevents someone from using the
> same product code simultaneously on several machines ? Is the
> activation process completed once or is that activation code checked
> periodically to see if the same produce code is used on multiple
> machines. It would seem that the latter makes sense, otherwise someone
> could just claim that they are reinstalling on different hardware.
>
> I'm also wondering if someone can help me understand the virtual
> machine scenario. If i install multiple copies, on the same hardware in
> a virtual machine, will that require once license per physical CPU?
>
> Appreciate some clarification,
>
> thx,
>
>
> --
> sonicthoughts

On Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:06:53 -0500, sonicthoughts
<> wrote:

>My question is: is there enforcement to prevents someone from using the
>same product code simultaneously on several machines ?

Yeah... all but one of the systems will lock you out.

On a fishing expedition, are we, lol.
--
Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia


"sonicthoughts" wrote:

>
> I'd like to understand Vista Activation better. Vista allows install
> and re-install on different machines, provided that you are no longer
> using the license on the old system. my understanding is that it may
> require a call to get a new activation key.
>
> My question is: is there enforcement to prevents someone from using the
> same product code simultaneously on several machines ? Is the
> activation process completed once or is that activation code checked
> periodically to see if the same produce code is used on multiple
> machines. It would seem that the latter makes sense, otherwise someone
> could just claim that they are reinstalling on different hardware.
>
> I'm also wondering if someone can help me understand the virtual
> machine scenario. If i install multiple copies, on the same hardware in
> a virtual machine, will that require once license per physical CPU?
>
> Appreciate some clarification,
>
> thx,
>
>
> --
> sonicthoughts
>

On Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:06:53 -0500, sonicthoughts
<> wrote:

>
> I'd like to understand Vista Activation better. Vista allows install
> and re-install on different machines, provided that you are no longer
> using the license on the old system. my understanding is that it may
> require a call to get a new activation key.


See John Barnett's answer. I just wanted to add one additional point:
You say "Vista allows install and re-install on different machines."
That's true for retail copies, but not for OEM copies. The license for
an OEM copy, just as with previous versions of Windows, permanently
ties it to the first computer it's installed on, and it may never be
moved to another--not even if the original computer dies.


> My question is: is there enforcement to prevents someone from using the
> same product code simultaneously on several machines ? Is the
> activation process completed once or is that activation code checked
> periodically to see if the same produce code is used on multiple
> machines. It would seem that the latter makes sense, otherwise someone
> could just claim that they are reinstalling on different hardware.
>
> I'm also wondering if someone can help me understand the virtual
> machine scenario. If i install multiple copies, on the same hardware in
> a virtual machine, will that require once license per physical CPU?
>
> Appreciate some clarification,
>
> thx,
>
>
> --
> sonicthoughts

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

"John Barnett MVP" <> wrote in
news:e4U6xWX$:

> Yes activation is enforced. If, for example, you have Vista installed
> on one machine and then install that same copy on another machine
> activation will simply tell you that 'your product key is already in
> use.' and activation will not occur. The only option you have, at this
> point, is to telephone the activation line and 'explain' what you have
> done to warrant another activation. Obviously the activation line is,
> primarily, automated so you have to go through the automated part of
> activation first, knowing that activation will be refused (with your
> scenario anyway). After the automated activation has been refused you
> have to wait on the telephone before, finally, being put through to a
> 'real' person to discuss your activation issue.
>
> As for Virtual Machines, each instance of a Virtual Machine, in other
> words every install of the operating system, is classed as a separate
> device. Therefore if you have installed Vista on 3 VMs the this is
> classed as 3 PCs and would require 3 separate licences.
>

Actually, the EULA states that if the version is Vista Ultimate, you CAN
use it in a virtual PC as long as the virtual PC is running on the PC
that Vista is actually installed on.

The EULA also does not state anything about the number of VPC's it can be
used on...in other words....it *doesn't* specifically say you can only
use it in *one* VPC.

http://download.microsoft.com/docume...%20Vista_Home%
20Basic_English_2cd69850-7680-4987-8b1e-59a3d405c074.pdf

6. USE WITH VIRTUALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES. You may use the software
installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated)
hardware system on the licensed device. If you do so, you may not play or
access content or use applications protected by any Microsoft digital,
information or enterprise rights management technology or other Microsoft
rights management services or use BitLocker. We advise against playing or
accessing content or using applications protected by other digital,
information or enterprise rights management technology or other rights
management services or using full volume disk drive encryption.

Often quoted and misinterpreted is that section. That section does not
provide for an installation to a virtual machine in addition to the
installation on the physical machine. It is still one or the other. A single
installation to a single device. As originally released, some versions of
Vista, notably the Home versions, did not allow for installation to a
virtual environment. Those that did included that section of the eula that
allows for it. It is frequently misread as allowing for the virtual
installation as well as the physical one, but this is incorrect. It simply
means that your use of the software within the licensed device can be in a
virtual environment, it doesn't have to be in the physical one.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"DanS" <> wrote in message
news:Xns9AF9C0C01D0Athisnthatadelphianet@85.214.90 .236...
> "John Barnett MVP" <> wrote in
> news:e4U6xWX$:
>
>> Yes activation is enforced. If, for example, you have Vista installed
>> on one machine and then install that same copy on another machine
>> activation will simply tell you that 'your product key is already in
>> use.' and activation will not occur. The only option you have, at this
>> point, is to telephone the activation line and 'explain' what you have
>> done to warrant another activation. Obviously the activation line is,
>> primarily, automated so you have to go through the automated part of
>> activation first, knowing that activation will be refused (with your
>> scenario anyway). After the automated activation has been refused you
>> have to wait on the telephone before, finally, being put through to a
>> 'real' person to discuss your activation issue.
>>
>> As for Virtual Machines, each instance of a Virtual Machine, in other
>> words every install of the operating system, is classed as a separate
>> device. Therefore if you have installed Vista on 3 VMs the this is
>> classed as 3 PCs and would require 3 separate licences.
>>
>
> Actually, the EULA states that if the version is Vista Ultimate, you CAN
> use it in a virtual PC as long as the virtual PC is running on the PC
> that Vista is actually installed on.
>
> The EULA also does not state anything about the number of VPC's it can be
> used on...in other words....it *doesn't* specifically say you can only
> use it in *one* VPC.
>
> http://download.microsoft.com/docume...%20Vista_Home%
> 20Basic_English_2cd69850-7680-4987-8b1e-59a3d405c074.pdf
>
> 6. USE WITH VIRTUALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES. You may use the software
> installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated)
> hardware system on the licensed device. If you do so, you may not play or
> access content or use applications protected by any Microsoft digital,
> information or enterprise rights management technology or other Microsoft
> rights management services or use BitLocker. We advise against playing or
> accessing content or using applications protected by other digital,
> information or enterprise rights management technology or other rights
> management services or using full volume disk drive encryption.

"Rick Rogers" <> wrote in
news:u1M7VHa$:

> Often quoted and misinterpreted is that section. That section does not
> provide for an installation to a virtual machine in addition to the
> installation on the physical machine. It is still one or the other.

That makes no sense.

"You may use the software installed on the licensed device within a
virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system on the licensed device."

To be able to use a VPC, you need an OS to host the VPC. And if you can
only run it from the PC that has the original installation, you MUST be
able to run the 'real' OS.

That would be a completely logical interpretation of the statement.





> A
> single installation to a single device. As originally released, some
> versions of Vista, notably the Home versions, did not allow for
> installation to a virtual environment. Those that did included that
> section of the eula that allows for it. It is frequently misread as
> allowing for the virtual installation as well as the physical one, but
> this is incorrect. It simply means that your use of the software
> within the licensed device can be in a virtual environment, it doesn't
> have to be in the physical one.
>

> To be able to use a VPC, you need an OS to host the VPC.

Yes, and you need a license for each installation of the OS on the device,
it matters not whether the installation is to a physical or virtual system.
Also, the host does not have to be Vista, it can be XP as well. It's been
bantered about on many blogs, etc. but it's still a misinterpretation of
that section of the license agreement. A Vista license is for a single
installation to a single device.

> And if you can only run it from the PC that has the original installation,
> you MUST be able to run the 'real' OS.

Nothing in the license states that the "real" OS has to be the same as the
virtual, or that the virtual installation of Vista has to be run under a
"real" installation of Vista. The meaning of that segment of the eula, as
stated previously, is that it may be installed within a virtual environment
on the licensed device (note that it is "device", not "installation" that is
referenced).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"DanS" <> wrote in message
news:Xns9AF9DF6074ED3thisnthatadelphianet@85.214.9 0.236...
> "Rick Rogers" <> wrote in
> news:u1M7VHa$:
>
>> Often quoted and misinterpreted is that section. That section does not
>> provide for an installation to a virtual machine in addition to the
>> installation on the physical machine. It is still one or the other.
>
> That makes no sense.
>
> "You may use the software installed on the licensed device within a
> virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system on the licensed device."
>
> To be able to use a VPC, you need an OS to host the VPC. And if you can
> only run it from the PC that has the original installation, you MUST be
> able to run the 'real' OS.
>
> That would be a completely logical interpretation of the statement.
>
>
>
>
>
>> A
>> single installation to a single device. As originally released, some
>> versions of Vista, notably the Home versions, did not allow for
>> installation to a virtual environment. Those that did included that
>> section of the eula that allows for it. It is frequently misread as
>> allowing for the virtual installation as well as the physical one, but
>> this is incorrect. It simply means that your use of the software
>> within the licensed device can be in a virtual environment, it doesn't
>> have to be in the physical one.
>>
>

Mick Murphy;803555 Wrote:
> On a fishing expedition, are we, lol.
> --
> Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia
>
>
> "sonicthoughts" wrote:
yes and no....

I'm trying to understand the mechanism. I'm actually more interested
in how clients can be prevented from violating the agreement. I can see
the that virtual machine issue is a grey area, but still not sure what
microsoft does, if anything, after the activation process to verify that
2 machines are not using the same product key. Is there a periodic
check, or perhaps during an upgrade process ... trying to understand
enforcement.


--
sonicthoughts