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Thread ID: 77845	2007-03-24 23:47:00	Software Keys in Dual Boot Vista Computer	symiggy (7597)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
535627	2007-03-24 23:47:00	Just a short question for which I would appreciate some clarification. I am interested in setting up my XP home computer as a dual boot with Vista. My query concerns the question of product licence keys. If I have used the single use licence key to install some software onto the XP computer, do I need another key to install the same software onto the Vista installation; or can I use he same (single use) key to install the software onto both the XP and Vista installations on the same computer? Thanks for your advice. :confused:	symiggy (7597)
535628	2007-03-25 00:18:00	If u mean, can u use the same key on the same PC u installed XP on previously, I cant see why not. Thats if you're going to reformat it, and use the Vista key for the install of Vista. You just cant install XP with the same XP key on 2 different computers.	Speedy Gonzales (78)
535629	2007-03-25 00:31:00	I think what the original poster means is that he has a third party application for which he has a single license key which is installed on XP. I think he wants to know if he can install the same third party application using the same license key on a Windows Vista installation. With some applications you can do this without any hassle there are applications out there that won't allow this. Best way to find out is to install the software and see if you have any sort of notification regarding licensing. If nothing happens assume that all is well. If something does happen then you may need to purchase a 2nd license or sacrifice your XP install. Cheers	chiefnz (545)
535630	2007-03-25 00:45:00	I think what the original poster means is that he has a third party application for which he has a single license key which is installed on XP. I think he wants to know if he can install the same third party application using the same license key on a Windows Vista installation. chiefnz: Thanks for your reply, that's exactly what I was asking. I intend to do a "clean install" rather than the upgrade, but after Vista has been installed, would I just install any third party programs into the Vista installation even though they will still be part of XP? Basically it's one and the same computer but with two different iterations of windows. I have actually tried to get an answer to this question from different program vendors, but I never seem to get a straight and simple answer. Does anyone else have any direct experience with this specific issue?	symiggy (7597)
535631	2007-03-25 01:06:00	Well the thing is this some applications don't kick up a stink at all. There are programs which will spit the dummy when both copies of the same software are running at the same time. So I see no problem (on the surface) with what you're proposing because you'll be running either XP or Vista not both at the same time. Hopefully the software won't revolt against what you're doing. As I said before the best way to find out is to go ahead with the install. I've got a copy of ACDSee 9 and I've got it installed with XP and Vista without any hassles using the same license key. In my experience I would say unless the program specifically states x amount of licenses you should be able to get away with multiple installs on different OS's provided only one of the installs is running at any given time. Hope that is a bit clearer. cheers	chiefnz (545)
535632	2007-03-25 01:15:00	You need to read the EULA for the software you want to install. Some are licenced per machine, permitting you to do this, and some allow you to install a single copy, in which case you couldn't legally do this. That long licence in the installation everybody tends to ignore frequently contains a bunch of surprises for the unwary - at least skim reading those licences can prove very educational.	TGoddard (7263)
535633	2007-03-25 01:16:00	chiefnz: Thanks for your insights. And as you said, since I won't be running both installations at the same time there will hopefully be no problem but ...time will tell.	symiggy (7597)
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