What's New: Vista License More Restrictive

Microsoft confirmed the license for Windows Vista will only allow it to be transferred to one new computer, unlike Windows XP. This means that a user cannot continue purchasing new PC hardware and copying their existing hard drive to the new computer. Left unclear at this point is whether the new license terms apply to OEM Windows licenses (where Windows is purchased with a new computer, typically at a significant discount). So far Microsoft has maintained that an OEM version of Windows XP is "part of" the computer and specifically tied to its motherboard, so Windows must be repurchased if the computer is upgraded.

In addition, Microsoft will allow only two versions - Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Business - to be installed in a virtual machine. Virtualization is a relatively new trend in the PC realm where multiple operating systems can be run in a simulated PC environment, all at the same time.

Monday, Oct 16, 2006 02:50 pm CDT

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