Vista Licenses Limit OS Transfers, Ban VM Use

TechWeb ^ | October 12, 2006 (1:53 PM EDT) | Gregg Keizer

[Señor Zorro]

Microsoft has released licenses for the Windows Vista operating system that dramatically differ from those for Windows XP in that they limit the number of times that retail editions can be transferred to another device and ban the two least-expensive versions from running in a virtual machine.

The new licenses, which were highlighted by the Vista team on its official blog Tuesday, add new restrictions to how and where Windows can be used.

"The first user of the software may reassign the license to another device one time. If you reassign the license, that other device becomes the "licensed device," reads the license for Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate, and Business. In other words, once a retail copy of Vista is installed on a PC, it can be moved to another system only once.

The new policy is narrower than Windows XP's. In the same section, the license for Windows XP Home states: "You may move the Software to a different Workstation Computer. After the transfer, you must completely remove the Software from the former Workstation Computer." There is no limit to the number of times users can make this move. Windows XP Professional's license is identical.

Elsewhere in the license, Microsoft forbids users from installing Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium in a virtual machine. "You may not use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system," the legal language reads. Vista Ultimate and Vista Business, however, can be installed within a VM.

Vista Home Basic, at $199 for a full version and $99 for an upgrade, and Vista Home Premium ($239/$159), are the two most-affordable retail editions of the operating system scheduled to appear on store shelves in January 2007.

Although the Vista team's blog did not point out these changes, it did highlight others. "Two notable changes between Windows Vista license terms and those for Windows XP are: 1) failure of a validation check results in the loss of access to specific features; and 2) an increase in our warranty period from 90 days to 1 year, which brings Windows in line with most other Microsoft products," wrote Vista program manager Nick White.

Specifically, the Vista license calls out the ramifications of a failed validation check of Vista.

"The software will from time to time validate the software, update or require download of the validation feature of the software," it reads. "If after a validation check, the software is found not to be properly licensed, the functionality of the software may be affected."

Vista's new anti-piracy technologies, collectively dubbed "Software Protection Platform," have met with skepticism by analysts and criticism by users. Under the new program, a copy of Vista that's judged to be in violation of its license, or is counterfeit, is disabled after a set period, leaving the user access only to the default Web browser, and then only for an hour at a time.

[marajade]

None and your post is example of why I haven't.

[N3WBI3]

What in my post was an examnple? All I did for my desktops was insert disk one click the defaults and I was done.

The server hardware was different and would have also required special windows drivers..

[marajade]

Yeah you said you haven't upgraded your hardware for three years. What are you running?

[N3WBI3]

Im sorry if my post was not clear, it has been years sense I had to download special drivers or had a hinky desktop install during that time I have run on about five different laptop platforms from compaq deskpro's to dell optiplex to one custom built model.

[Señor Zorro]

I think he got it but thanks for backing me up.

My point was that you have underestimated the value and maturity of those projects. I recommend that you download some source (or binaries) and give it a whirl.

[marajade]

I don't know what a hinky desktop install is. And if its Linux related, don't need to. And why? Because I run Windows.

[amigatec]

You see no difference between a Japanese company and an American one? That truly would be ignorant.

The difference I see is that as long as it's an American company buying Technology and killing it, that is ok with you. But if Japan does it, it is wrong.

That is about the most bigoted thing I have ever heard you say.

That rates you right up there with every little tin-horn dictator that ever lived.

Why do you think Saddam in on trial for? He had the same problem you do. With both of you it's 'To hell with everybody else, I'm going to do what is best for me.'

You really are ignorant aren't you??

I bet you wear a sheet when you go out with the boys!!!

[rzeznikj at stout]

Of course, you again didn't read my posts.

Nowhere did I say PC hardware vendors were going to switch over to Linux--I specifically referred to people such as the hackers, crackers, warez monkeys, etc.

Sheesh. RTFP, man.

FD--another example of Iggle putting words into our mouths.

[rzeznikj at stout]

Thread Jester Ping

A low-volume pinglist dedicated for all the thread jesters out there--you know who you are...8^)

FReepmail rzeznikj at stout or MikefromOhio to be added or struck from the list...

[goldstategop]

I downloaded the Windows Vista Upgrade Adviser and learned you can run the Basic Edition on an older computer. You just need to update some programs that won't work with Vista and get a bigger hard drive. So there's still life for your old computer if you want the basic Vista experience.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II

[amigatec]

I have asked you 3 or 4 times how can N Korea keep all those clusters running you keep complaining about, when they can't even afford to keep the power on.

But as is normal with you, you don't have a frigging clue!!!!

You just spew forth your venom every time you open that cesspool you call a mouth.

When you figure it put, give me a shout, otherwise shut the hell up!!!

[amigatec]

I have asked you 3 or 4 times how can N Korea keep all those clusters running you keep complaining about, when they can't even afford to keep the power on.

But as is normal with you, you don't have a frigging clue!!!!

You just spew forth your venom every time you open that cesspool you call a mouth.

When you figure it put, give me a shout, otherwise shut the hell up!!!

[N3WBI3]

Hinky = PITA..

And I dont care what os you use but if youre clueless about one please dont comment on how hard/easy it is..

[FLAMING DEATH]

"You see no difference between a Japanese company and an American one?"

Oooh! I know this one! A Japanese company manufactured the Sony television you admitted to buying, after you came on here and condemned everyone for not buying American!

What do I win?

[rivercat]

I'm going to vote with my feet and my pocketbook.

Wonderful. My problem is that we have this group of "Anything But Microsoft" yo-yos that run around like a bunch of linux moonbats. They irritate me in the same way that the "Anybody But Bush" crowd does. Fine, they can vote with their pocketbooks, but they need to STFU with all the liberalesque whining, snivelling, and haughtiness. Sheesh, they sound like Howard Dean and Nancy Pelosi. Heck, where I live, the same crowd that whines about President Bush is the same crowd that whines about Starbucks and Microsoft.

[longtermmemmory]

thanks, for pointing it out.

Microsoft is the only game in town for the non-nerd or non-geek user. It is financially impractical to gin up a non microsoft OS based system to run microsoft products for my business. By the time I pay some service to do it for me I have spent more money than I would have paid the microsoft monopoly.

I understand the need to be independent in computer use, but I have never seen anyone ever provide a serious solution. (apple does not count)

There is for a monopoly in the OS department (also recognized by the courts) and microsoft is the only show. Perhaps Microsoft licenses should be regulated teh same way utility licenses are regulated.

[longtermmemmory]

thanks, for pointing it out.

Microsoft is the only game in town for the non-nerd or non-geek user. It is financially impractical to gin up a non microsoft OS based system to run microsoft products for my business. By the time I pay some service to do it for me I have spent more money than I would have paid the microsoft monopoly.

I understand the need to be independent in computer use, but I have never seen anyone ever provide a serious solution. (apple does not count)

There is for a monopoly in the OS department (also recognized by the courts) and microsoft is the only show. Perhaps Microsoft licenses should be regulated teh same way utility licenses are regulated.

[paulat]

Bump!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFAJDbV9Vfs&NR

This is hysterical!!!

[antiRepublicrat]

they're just trying prevent users from reselling old licensed copies of Vista.

Creators of copyrighted works have always been looking for ways to kill the secondary market, since it hurts their sales.

But the legality of such terms is in question. First Sale was established in the early 1900s, but they try to get around it by saying there's no sale, only a license (but the license is sold to you, duh). This clause may be invalid depending on where you live.

[antiRepublicrat]

In other words, criminals.

Due to a very bad law having been passed, you may be technically correct.