[SOLVED] Will this retail box of Win Vista install in more than one PC?

[rustedmetal]

I'm confused so please assist me. This is a retail version of Vista and on the description it states that it's for one user only? I'm looking for a legal copy of Vista to install in as many laptops as i wish. Will this box work or not? Thanks much.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-...242998&hash=item216f0514cb:g:ohUAAOSw1AlesJWE

 

[R_1]

no.
OEM copies can be installed to only one PC, ever.
Retail copies can be installed to any machine you own, so long as only 1 machine has it installed at a time. Retail is so you can upgrade all your parts and keep the same OS license.

What you want is a volume license, these are used for enterprise environments.

you can look to linux for an OS that can be installed to many machines with no legal issues.

 

[rustedmetal]

no.
OEM copies can be installed to only one PC, ever.
Retail copies can be installed to any machine you own, so long as only 1 machine has it installed at a time. Retail is so you can upgrade all your parts and keep the same OS license.

What you want is a volume license, these are used for enterprise environments.

you can look to linux for an OS that can be installed to many machines with no legal issues.

But that's a retail version not oem yet it says only one device? And will MS actually check whether end-of-support OS' are installed on different devices?

 

[R_1]

yes the activation servers are still running as far as I know. when the server detects 2 machines with the same reg number one or both will be invalidated.
OEM is meant for the machine it first installed onto only, ever.
Retail one machine at a time, but any machine you want, just one at a time.

 

[COLGeek]

Why do you want to use Vista at all?

 

[sizzling]

If you want a version of Windows you can install on multiple PC’s at the same time then pick Windows 10. It can be used without activating so you won’t need to buy multiple licenses.

 

[rustedmetal]

Why do you want to use Vista at all?

I enjoy restoring old laptops to and having them run original OS. It's a hobby.

 

[COLGeek]

I enjoy restoring old laptops to and having them run original OS. It's a hobby.

Understood. If those laptops originally used Vista, then they should have COA labels on them for activation purposes.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

Just keep in mind that the key listed on the COA label attached to the laptop is an OEM key and will not work with a retail version of Vista. Just as a retail key won't work on an OEM version.

 

[COLGeek]

Just keep in mind that the key listed on the COA label attached to the laptop is an OEM key and will not work with a retail version of Vista. Just as a retail key won't work on an OEM version.

And the COA will only work with the version it is intended for (there were several versions).