| Description: | Below are my responses to Paul Thurrott's article regarding the topic of Windows Vista licenses:
- Ok, I understand that if I purchase a PC with Windows XP or Windows Vista pre-installed that I am not legally entitled to move that copy of Windows to another machine. I realize that OEM copies of Windows are sold much cheaper than full retail copies of Windows. I'm ok with this (surprisingly).
- So you go out and you purchase a copy of Windows Vista. You spend a HUGE amount of money for that copy. You install it on one machine and you then decide to move it to another machine. With Windows Vista you can transfer the license of Windows that YOU paid for, ONE TIME, to a new machine. That is my understanding of the article, if I am wrong, please correct me. Also, YOU can't simply move the license yourself. You have to call Microsoft to move the license!
- I realize that the number of people who upgrade and make changes to their hardware regularly is a small number, however, I take complete offense and am completely annoyed and aggravated with the fact that if I upgrade the motherboard in this computer, I would have to re-activate my copy of Windows and potentially either have to buy a new license or not be able to use my computer. YES, a motherboard change is a SIGNIFICANT hardware change, BUT, ITS GOING INTO THE SAME COMPUTER CASE!!! THE SAME MACHINE! JUST UPGRADED!
- Lets say you need Windows for a few basic tasks and you use a Mac for everything else. You cannot simply go out and purchase the cheapest copy of Windows and run it virtually and still comply with the EULA. To comply with the EULA you HAVE to purchase Windows Vista Business ($299, pre-order price on Amazon.com) or Windows Vista Ultimate ($399, pre-order price on Amazon). You CAN install the cheaper versions of Windows into a virtual machine, however, like I said you won't be complying with the EULA and you won't receive support from Microsoft. In a way, I really don't care about this because I've never called Microsoft for support and I don't intend to in the future. However, this is just plain stupid! If you've complied with the licensing and only have the copy of Windows that YOU purchased in one virtual machine, not on the host machine, you are breaking the EULA.
- I truly appreciate the fact that Paul Thurrott is not apologizing for Microsoft, simply stating the facts. I am also, greatly, appreciative of the fact that he also thinks that the WGA should be gotten rid of.
The thing that keeps coming through my mind is that YOU cannot do what YOU want to do with the copy of Windows that YOU purchased! To comply with Microsoft and their EULA you'd have to spend thousands of dollars, literally. That is what really makes me sick. A giant corporation, wanting even more money...then again, what else is new. I also realize that these licensing agreements haven't really changed much since Windows XP, they're just more clarified. They still make me sick!
Paul Thurrott's Licensing Changes to Windows Vista |