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Microsoft talks about Vista's new licensing
Update: Paul Thurrott of Winsupersite.com has posted a brief article clarifying some of the things supposedly misinterpreted during this past week regarding the changes in Windows Vista licensing terms. Paul was in contact with Microsoft in order to come up with the actual meaning of their new EULA for Vista. As a starter you should know that in Vista, just like you currently do with XP, you should be able to upgrade your machine as many times as you want; only needing to re-activate your copy of the OS when prompted to, via the Internet or through the phone. This is perhaps the most important part that was being reported inaccurately. In the other hand, Paul goes as far as saying: “Microsoft has clarified the EULA for Windows Vista. They've made it more readable, for starters, so normal people can get by the legalese and understand what the document really means.” I do not believe that is the case, I have read the EULA myself and for many case scenarios, the explanations Microsoft provides remain very unclear and ambiguous.
If you can't wait to rush out and buy a brand new retail copy of Vista when it hits the shelves, you may want to take a look at the new licensing that Microsoft is introducing first. “Restrictive” isn't really quite the term, accurate though it would be. “Bizarre” would fit better, and some of it is outlined here. One of the oddest things is Microsof'ts stance against virtual machines. While allowing Vista Ultimate and Business to be run in a VM, all other versions are barred from it. Meaning if you are running Basic or Premium in a VM, you're violating the license.
Vista will also strip OS functionality should validation fail. What people feared with activation in XP is now coming true in Vista. The OS will periodically “validate” itself, and if it finds that you are a dirty pirate it will limit your use. It also only allows you to transfer a license once. Meaning, if you have a Vista-equipped PC and you rebuild it, you must transfer the license... and then never again can you repeat that process. Some people are used to replacing many components of their PC quite often, going through an entire rig in mere months. Enthusiasts beware.
If you can't wait to rush out and buy a brand new retail copy of Vista when it hits the shelves, you may want to take a look at the new licensing that Microsoft is introducing first. “Restrictive” isn't really quite the term, accurate though it would be. “Bizarre” would fit better, and some of it is outlined here. One of the oddest things is Microsof'ts stance against virtual machines. While allowing Vista Ultimate and Business to be run in a VM, all other versions are barred from it. Meaning if you are running Basic or Premium in a VM, you're violating the license.
Vista will also strip OS functionality should validation fail. What people feared with activation in XP is now coming true in Vista. The OS will periodically “validate” itself, and if it finds that you are a dirty pirate it will limit your use. It also only allows you to transfer a license once. Meaning, if you have a Vista-equipped PC and you rebuild it, you must transfer the license... and then never again can you repeat that process. Some people are used to replacing many components of their PC quite often, going through an entire rig in mere months. Enthusiasts beware.
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User Comments (14)
Post a comment| xdiesel on October 13, 2006 12:20 AM | As I had feared Vista will stop me constantly upgrading my
pc unless i am prepared to buy a new copy after 1 transfer.
Typical microsoft not content with being one of the richest
companys in the world (if not the richest). Now there
forcing pc enthusiasts to buy multiple copys of vista no
thanks Anti piracy my backside more like Anti Consumer
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| darth_terra1 on October 13, 2006 3:49 AM | just what the hell are Microsoft playing at only 1 transfer
and that's it, forget Vista i'm sticking with XP pro
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| disciple on October 13, 2006 4:50 AM | Microsoft seem to be really shooting themselves in the foot
here. First off the DX10 debacle and now this. I thought
that Vista was meant to be gamer friendly; everyone knows
that to keep up in the gaming world, you do have to upgrade
on a regular basis to get the best out of the games. I don't
think many gamers would be to happy buying various copies of
an OS just so you can keep your pc up to date; that would
just be stupid. I'll stick with XP until Microsoft sees
sense instead of $£ signs.
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| asphix on October 13, 2006 8:24 AM | That licensing issue is pretty rediculous. I was planning on buying Vista Ultimate right at release since I have an extra computer with no OS right now. But something like this is enough to make me skip out on it completely. If this is how they are going to do things, and they're (microsoft) adamant about sticking with it, I'll hold on to XP until it loses support and in the meantime I'll slowly start using Linux/Unix as a primary OS. Gaming? Well, consoles have been treating me alright so far. I just think a restriction of this sort is lunacy. My upgrade cycle isnt all that often, but I tinker with my computers all the time. I love overclocking and experimenting with my computers and this usually results in required reinstallation. The only way I would still consider purchasing vista in light of this licensing fiasco is if after a hardware change or major OS crash, you can easily run a repair which is certain to fix your issue (ie. reinstalling the OS on top of a previous install is not considered "transfering" the license.) But, what about hard drive upgrades? Theres just too many questions.. this makes my head hurt.. [Edited by asphix on 2006-10-13 08:33:36]
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| sngx1275 on October 13, 2006 9:23 AM | Well I too was considering buying one of the versions on
release. But with only 1 lisence switch I've almost
completely reversed my thoughts. They are screwing the enthusiast here and I'm not really sure how much its going to hurt them. Percentage wise I'm guessing we are pretty low for their userbase, most being OEMs and buisnesses then the home consumer then us. I don't see this really hurting anyone above us in the line that much.
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| ---agissi--- on October 13, 2006 12:06 PM | Now buying Vista really is money out the window for us
enthusiasts! It'll either demote Vista, or PROMOTE pirating.
Good chance people will want to use vista, so it'll be #2.
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| jerryjam on October 13, 2006 1:32 PM | I for one am tired of paying too much for too little and for
too many problems. Been buying MS since Win 3 and own all
versions except Vista. Was ready to purchase. Now forget
MS blood sucking ways. The MAC guys were correct and I
should have listened to them several thousand dollars ago.
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| fludlite on October 13, 2006 6:04 PM | Invalid authentication resulting in service denial for
purchaser??? I'm having great difficulty deciding what a
Pirate is?? Linux and Open Source are really looking a lot
better now! No new Vista for me.
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| crusty664 on October 13, 2006 7:09 PM | This is utter nonsence...I am now going to forget Ms and
certainly will not be buying Vista or reccomending it to
anyone else. The only way this is any good is if the price of a computer comes right down and we can throw them out and replace them rather than upgrading. I am sure this will also impact suppliers as sales will also slow down as people dont mod/upgrade their computers. MS VISTA = Joke.
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| canadian on October 14, 2006 1:52 PM | Also, as I discovered with XP, there is a small chance that
upgrading your motherboards Bios will result in making
Windows believe it is in a new computer. Does this also mean
only one bios upgrade until you must re-purchase?
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| drsherlock on October 14, 2006 2:33 PM | I look forward to Vista and its hopeful improvements. I fix
peoples' computers and many take security and buggy programs
for granted where the OS gets messed up pretty bad and
costly to repair. System rebuild is the last option. I agree
that a second rebuild should be sufficient and my clients
should learn from their mistakes. However, they should not
be punished from their license on their assigned system. I
can see a migration away from Microsoft OS. If they have to
pay for a new license then the fee should be very small.
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| drsherlock on October 14, 2006 2:48 PM | I just got a call from a customer and asked if it is
possible to convert Windows data and programs to the Mac. I
asked why and the answer was interesting. I hope the license
policy changes.
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| zephead on October 16, 2006 5:32 PM | what a load of crap. there has got to be some way around
this...people are not going to like buying a new lisence
after thier second reformat.
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| gam3r on October 17, 2006 5:14 AM | I have one question. Are MS still going to enforce that
stupid 'buy one software pack for EACH computer in your
house' rule???? Or will we finally be able to buy one copy
of Windows for all the PCs in the household? Btw. I would love to ditch Windows and take up a good old MAC, but my much-loved video games aern't supported by it!!! P.S. I don't like consoles.
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