digg

Join DiggAbout

Discover the best of the web!
Learn more about Digg by taking the tour.

Vista upgrade invalidates your XP key

tomcoyote.org — If you choose to purchase an upgrade version of Windows Vista to upgrade XP, you will no longer be able to use that version of XP. Either on another system, or as a dual-boot option. The key will be invalidated, preventing activation.

Bury
show profanity settings
expand all
  • spargo, on 10/12/2007, -4/+180I'm wondering what happens when you want to reformat an upgrade version...Then they make you buy the full version?
    • sq377, on 10/12/2007, -3/+38What happens with a volume license?
    • JeremyTTU, on 10/12/2007, -4/+28@SPARGO & SG377

      Make sure you are using a VLK... VLK's (for XP) are never verified by a central server, therefore your key will never become invalidated.

      Or, you could figure out a way to hack the Dell Windows XP Install CD to figure out how it puts in a VLK key for Dell Systems.
    • reknaps, on 10/12/2007, -2/+23Maybe you'll have to reinstall Windows XP then install the Vista upgrade on top again. Wouldn't that be peachy.
    • ez12a, on 10/12/2007, -0/+28You're going to have to install the Vista upgrade right after installing a fresh installation of XP?

      XP will install, but you just can't activate the XP portion.

      Upgrade installations are a PITA.
    • Jerim, on 10/12/2007, -34/+6It's simple. Just buy the full version. It is not like the upgrade version is the only version on the market. If you are going to buy it because it is cheaper, then there are obviously some restrictions in order to differentiate it from the full version.
    • SoCalChris, on 10/12/2007, -7/+83@kevinsabs

      Which OS won the duel? Did Vista successfully kill XP, preventing it from ever being reactivated? Did XP at least wound Vista?

      Also, I'd be careful with who you talk about setting up duels with, it's illegal pretty much everywhere now days.
    • matthewaaron, on 10/12/2007, -3/+14XP didn't require you to install a previous version of windows to install the upgrade... it askes you to insert your previous version CD to validate that you have a previous version. I can only hope Vista behaves the same way.
    • saska, on 10/12/2007, -7/+7@kevinsabs,

      Out of curiosity, what version of Vista did you buy?
    • Crass22, on 10/12/2007, -27/+12I just upgraded to the latest virus of iTunes and now I cant use the old version that was perviously installed. I have to uninstall it completely and reinstall the old version, completely, insanely rediculous. I thought a software update meant it was a seperate and diffrent install and not one that modified the previous content. How vile of them to trick me like that with their use of the word "upgrade version". how dastardly.
    • rkutz, on 10/12/2007, -2/+27@kevinsabs,

      You missed the point of SoCalChris's comment. The word is dual, not duel.
    • finite, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7@kevinsabs: "What I said is" . . . LOL
      @Microsoft: ROFL! Brilliant strategy there, sure to win people over :)
    • Matteos, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7@SoCalChris

      I wonder if XP demanded satisfaction?
    • phase, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4@JeremyTTU

      Dell doesn't use a VLK on their OEM systems. They have SLP OEM keys.
    • buckdog05, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3The full version OEM is cheaper than the upgrade: http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/Subcategory.asp?Subcategory=368&name=Operating-Systems

    • Technopundit, on 10/12/2007, -18/+11Why is this such a big deal? There must be more than OEM vs Upgrade versions being debated here. I'm guessing the real issue is that it's finally, after almost 20 years, going to be really hard to install a current copy of Windows on more than one PC.

      Too bad, kids. But considering the functionality promised with Vista, I'd have to say it might just really be worth 150 bucks per machine. We're looking at some pretty serious software power here.

      Hey, I've done my share of using free (as in jacked) software in my day. I have even made money doing tech support for desktop PC's. Considering it all, Microsoft has my money coming to them.
    • Elranzer, on 10/12/2007, -2/+14Use 2000 if you're upgrading. No central key checks. Use a pirated version of 2000 if you must.
    • stanleypane, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2"Why is this such a big deal? There must be more than OEM vs Upgrade versions being debated here. I'm guessing the real issue is that it's finally, after almost 20 years, going to be really hard to install a current copy of Windows on more than one PC."

      @Technopundit

      How about the fact that once I've upgraded, I'm stuck with a bloated upgrade system that I can never re-install once it becomes filled with even more cruft? Who knows how viruses and spyware will fair on Vista, but I wouldn't bank on it being unbreakable.

      So, mom/dad decides to upgrade to Vista and a year later I'm stuck troubleshooting the damned thing only to find out I can't simply wipe and reinstall the OS. No XP, no Vista reinstall path.

      From the looks of things this is all bogus, anyhow...
    • OBKenobi, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4[quote]Too bad, kids. But considering the functionality promised with Vista, I'd have to say it might just really be worth 150 bucks per machine.[/quote]

      Or you can use the Pirate Edition. It exists you know. You can download Vista for free right now and not have to deal with activation. I'm sure MS will do something about it, but that will be overcome as well.

      Even so, it is too early to get it. There's no benefit to using it now for your main work machine. The drivers are still mostly screwed up, and no software takes advantage of Vista's features yet. Plus you'll have to update all your Windows utilities/security apps.

      So sit back and relax, forget Vista for a while, and let all this preliminary stuff get sorted out first.
    • nkassi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@stanleypane; If you read the previous post you would see that you actually can reinstall vista. All you need is a windows XP cd. It's the same for XP. I use a Win NT 4 cd to get windows xp upgrade to work. Vista is the same. What really suck is now the University I work for will have a central Key server and you can't just take a laptop that has a Vista installation with the school key and go home for more than a few days.

    • DonWilson, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3You want to know why this whole story is hogwash? I installed Vista last night, reinstalled my original XP this afternoon. Zero problems.

      But we'll continue being idiots and overreacting to anything evil Microsoft does to protect their IP.
    • MikeD, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@ Elranzer

      You can't upgrade from 2000. You must do a clean install.

      http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradepaths.mspx

    • goodoldharris, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Technopundit:

      Tell the truth - how much is Microsoft paying you to write ***** like that?
    • bennybertow, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1One question though... is it possible to upgrade from Windows 3.1 ? I mean hey, I still have the original floppies lying around here, and could install them...
  • AngryPenguin47, on 10/12/2007, -5/+20Straight from the horse's... I mean EULA.
    • TheRealPod, on 10/12/2007, -4/+148wrong end of the horse.
    • Battlecry, on 10/12/2007, -2/+26I notice the EULA doesn't say anything about invalidating your key, It just says MS doesn't want you to use your old copy of XP. Nowhere does it say how or if they're enforcing it.

      Sounds like this guy just pulled this out of his ass.
    • Omicron, on 10/12/2007, -5/+7exactly. this is just more FUD. people read the EULA and come to their own conclusions, and then spread those rumors like wildfire.

      first of all, if you UPGRADE your copy of XP to Vista, you SHOULDN'T be allowed to have a dual boot machine... after all: that is the definition of the word "upgrade"

      second, if you do upgrade to Vista, decide that you hate it, and you want to format the hard drive and reinstall XP on that same machine that original had XP, i guarantee that you will be able to do that. and if it doesn't let you, call MS and tell them what happened. no doubt they will let you do it. they have to. you own it.
    • MacSuxWindozSux, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3@Omicron
      "first of all, if you UPGRADE your copy of XP to Vista, you SHOULDN'T be allowed to have a dual boot machine... after all: that is the definition of the word "upgrade"


      You missed the context of the meaning of "Upgrade", as it has always been used in the past.

      It the past it hasn't been simply your one machine is being upgraded, but that YOU were upgrading to the next software generation.

      As in, you bought the last windows so as an incentive you get a discount towards the next version. 3D Studio, Photoshop, CAD, they all do the same thing.

      So people should have every right to still use WindowsXP and the Vista upgrade.

      And even in your argument, which seems to compare Vista to typical upgraded software apps, even regular apps can be re-installed and patched to a not-up-to-date version if needed, or reverted directly.
    • MikeD, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1I have to laugh a little. It seems that there a lot of people here worried about doing things like reinstalling Vista if your XP license is invalidated. First, from spending hours on MS's Vista help site, that does not look like what is happening.

      But, here is the interesting part. You can do a clean reinstall of Vista just like you did with XP. Boot from the DVD/CD and install!!!

      Maybe some research should be done before we speculate.

      http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/e77344fa-e978-464c-953e-eba44f0522671033.mspx

      What does the world "Assume" mean? Lol.
  • Bartboy919, on 10/12/2007, -29/+6Ok here is what you do, you pirate XP then get an upgrade version, therefor saving the XP you bought.
    • Akaji, on 10/12/2007, -7/+139No, here's what you do: get Windows Vista Pirate Bay Edition.
    • lazyrussian, on 10/12/2007, -30/+10And if your an average joe, not that I am at all, your *****.
      Microsoft loves to ***** with public.
    • Konrad9, on 10/12/2007, -6/+28What about my *****?
  • batfink, on 10/12/2007, -7/+69READ the EULA, it doesn't state that your existing XP Key invalidated, it states that once you upgrade to Vista - you are not allowed to use the software you "upgraded".

    From Vista EULA - "13. UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from."
    • DuckFOO, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15What if you decide that Vista is problematic and you won't use it until Vista SP1 is out? You can't switch back to using XP while you wait? (I did something like this when moving from Win2000 to XP; I didn't finally switch to until SP1 came out)
    • matth1jd, on 10/12/2007, -30/+15Bury this comment.
    • totorototoro, on 10/12/2007, -1/+37Uh, thats what he said. The software you "upgraded from", i.e. XP, right? So you have one legal copy of XP. You upgrade to Vista, now you have one legal copy of Vista, and no legal copy of XP, right?
    • humperdeath, on 10/12/2007, -2/+25This is what UPGRADE means, people. If you want two operating systems, you should buy a new copy outright, not the upgrade version. The problem I see here is that if you do decide to go back to XP for whatever reason, you should be able to do that. I suspect a call to MS support will revalidate your XP key.
    • awhiteflame, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11Is that really a quote from the EULA? If so, that's some not-great grammar..

      "After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from."
      ...should be...
      "After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software from which you upgraded."
    • chrisjs169, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6"it states that once you upgrade to Vista - you are not allowed to use the software you "upgraded"."
      "After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from."


      And that is different from your 'old' license being invalidated.....how?
    • diggumjonez, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3uh, your participles are dangling...
    • MikeD, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I tend to agree with a bunch of posts that this most likely FUD.

      Nowhere does the EULA or anything else say that the Vista Upgrade breaks your XP activation.

      Again, like many posts, I have installed Vista Ultimate and Home Premium on 2 desktops and one laptop. The desktops are dual boot and are running fine.

      The laptop did not run Vista well, so I formated and reinstalled my licensed copy of XP Pro with no problems.

      Partly personal. Why do people not understand the word upgrade? It does not mean you own two copies of Windows, XP and Vista. It means you owned XP. You paid a discounted price and now you own Vista. You are trading up like trading in a car. You don't get to keep the old one.

      If you want to own both XP and Vista then you have to buy a full version of each.



  • tralalaa, on 10/12/2007, -5/+22So just use a cracked XP and hopefully you've learned your lesson about actually buying a Microsoft OS instead of installing a pirated copy.

    Put it this way: if you paid for it, you can use it all ya want. If they don't let you, then you do it anyway. The end.
  • xXShadowstormXx, on 10/12/2007, -9/+2That sucks.
  • Flashtone, on 10/12/2007, -40/+2can you upgrade from windowsME to vista? I really hope vista is y2k compliant you really can never tell when another may happen. .
    • lucianolev, on 10/12/2007, -8/+21If you are being ironic you suck as a comedian. If not, you are an idiot.
    • geoboy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1What's with the hate? I thought the comment was mildly amusing. Also, I fail to see how what he said could be considered "being ironic". I think the word you're looking for is "sarcastic", you dumb ass (Hey look! I, too, can be mean to anonymous people on the internet)
  • Electrox3d, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3what happens if you need to re-install vista, you need xp on their first... maybe you can use it for the 30-days without activation for re-installing vista?
    • dalewj, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1ya that would be the Microsoft method of an upgrade. i once used Fp2000 which was upgrade 3 times from i think FP95 or something, had to install the original and upgrade to get back to do the final upgrade and use the product again.
    • MWeather, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I think the copy you're upgrading from needs to be activated. I remember someone griping about that in another thread.
    • dvfreelancer, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9"what happens if you need to re-install vista, you need xp on their first..."

      Even if the Vista upgrade invalidates your key you could still install for 30 days. But if the upgrade requires a VALID license key, you're basically screwed. The invalidated key won't pass WGA. If that's what the Vista upgrade is looking at to see if the upgrade is valid, you're hosed.

      I'm not sure that's how it works but it wouldn't surprise me. Lately that type of behavior is typical for MSFT as they have to squeeze their user base harder and harder to maintain their quarterly numbers. You're not a customer, you're a piggy bank and MSFT wants as many of your pennies as they can get.

      None of the businesses I start will run any MSFT product. Zip, zero, nada.
    • kRITek, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I installed a volume-licensed copy of Vista Business over a copy of XP that wasn't activated. XP activation was totally separate from Vista activation.
    • nkassi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I need to test this but I really believe that if you put the vista cd in it will ask for a xp cd. No need to install xp first.

  • brucebeh, on 10/12/2007, -11/+6HA! This is ridiculous.. so people with pirated XP can still use XP whereas people that actually BOUGHT xp before won't be able to use what they paid for anymore.

    Hmm.. this somehow makes me want to BUY Vista even more because who knows, when microsoft releases "Windows 2010" they might do the same thing with all the vista keys and make it useless.
    • alism, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Windows 2010 will be delayed. So you've got a good ten years before that's released.
  • marcushe, on 10/12/2007, -35/+8What *****! Why do people continue put up with such hassles and junk with Windows? Is this not illegal? Are people really that ignorant about OS X?

    When using Windows you have tons of restrictions, annoyances, bugs, security holes, minimal features, complicated interfaces, and so much more. Not to mention it costs MORE than a license of OS X!

    What the crap?
    • duke_nate, on 10/12/2007, -5/+12You left out the part "it works".
    • PLUMCRAZY, on 10/12/2007, -3/+23So your advice is to install OS X on my Dell computer rather than pay for the full install of Vista? I don't think that will work.
      Or is it your advice that I should throw away my computer and buy an Apple computer just to avoid paying for the full install of vista? That seems like an expensive alternative also.
    • ialan2, on 10/12/2007, -6/+2when comparing OSX to Windows, OSX does cost more but then again- most of us would probably buy it with a new mac and last time i checked, the iMac costs even more than Windows Xp Media Center Edition (hardware+software)

      http://www.windowsmarketplace.com
      search for "Media Center: Desktop PCs"

      http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?family=iMac
    • colincornaby, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5"when comparing OSX to Windows, OSX does cost more but then again- most of us would probably buy it with a new mac and last time i checked, the iMac costs even more than Windows Xp Media Center Edition (hardware+software)"

      It's around $250 for XP Pro, $249 for Vista Ultimate, which are the equivalents of OS X.

      OS X including Leopard is $129*5 (10.1 was free). So actually, OS X is only slightly more.

      I'm not counting OEM licenses because that's assuming you just bought a new computer. And OS X comes free with a new Mac.
    • KlayBorg, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2We can't (legally) run OS X on any hardware than apples... Just think about why people would want to use windows.
    • kris33, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4but you CAN...

      and it works great :)

      OS X on my pc made me buy a MacBook :)

    • nkassi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Why not just install Linux instead. No Steve * will come claim there dues.
  • yock, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9Seems like this should be obvious, I mean, you *are* getting a discount for already owning one license.
  • NewPunk, on 10/12/2007, -16/+3Are you ***** kidding me? Thank God I stole the volume license key from my school...
  • jpb0104, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Buy OEM versions.
    • 1jaxstate1, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3I've had to reload XP 3 times, and if upgrading to Vista (which I plan on doing) kills my license key, that's fuggin insane. There must be some type of legal work around.
    • ialan2, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10or illegal work around.
  • joevill, on 10/12/2007, -12/+1Bummer! I won't be getting XP anytime soon!
  • ray901, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10hehe never before have I come across such a popular product that has so many of it's users pissed off.
    Never before have I come across so many people who desperately want to pirate a product that they never cease calling a piece of crap.

    P.s. wasn't this discussed to death just yesterday?
  • rhodesbr, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13This is simply not true. Vista comes with 'downgrade' rights to any prior Windows OS (Straight from the Microsoft guys I work with). Basically the EULA means you can't go re-install your old XP key on a second computer once you've done your upgrade to Vista on your first computer.
    • Yowza, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4This sounds fair.
    • chrisjs169, on 10/12/2007, -12/+2Which basically means if you don't like Vista you have to buy another WinXP license?
    • LocalScope, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5>>Which basically means if you don't like Vista you have to buy another WinXP license?
      No it means you must first remove Vista then install WinXP. Thats what "upgrade" means you are
      not planning on using the lower version (XP) while using the new version (Vista). You can have
      either on the computer at once just not both on different machines.
  • StripeyMagee, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8Ah proprietary software, gotta love it!.
  • Jocose, on 10/12/2007, -9/+3Microsoft can only treat its consumers like ***** for so long. Sooner or later this is going to have to change, or the "windows alternative" demographic is going to grow beyond M$ control.
  • Sundownvf111, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5what happens if...( and in my case on of my pc's it is....) i buy a windows vista upgrade disk??


    ---orignally ran Win Me
    ---upgraded to Win2k
    ---upgraded to WinXP (via upgrade disk)

    • ThinkFr33ly, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5I'm not sure, but my guess would be that only XP's key is invalidated since XP is the only OS among those that has activation.
    • Miche1987, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2If/When Vista screws up on you...

      ...damn, I feel bad for you. that's a lot of hoops (meaning Windows installations) to jump through.
  • siggyfawn, on 10/12/2007, -21/+8Pirate Bay Vista/XP is the best. Price is perfect. Recommend it to everyone.

    Pirate Bay also has a badass section of software and music. Again, the price is awesome.
    • akinder, on 10/12/2007, -11/+13Get a job loser, not everyone steals.
    • liminaldust, on 10/12/2007, -10/+4@akinder
      say that cause you're just afraid they'll catch you because YOU pirated it
      "get a job loser" - nice try
      it really is obvious.
  • GleepGlop2, on 10/12/2007, -14/+13Oh my god am I ever glad I jumped out of the way of Vista and switched to a mac. I knew I was paying more money but it's clear that it was a small price to pay as the harsh reality of just how pathetic Vista is starts to set in.
  • donpdonp, on 10/12/2007, -4/+6it seems reasonable that if you buy an upgrade edition the original edition would not be valid anymore.
    • wageslave1, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8yes, that would seem reasonable. except, that is not what is happening.

      The Vista Upgrade license says "you cant use this Vista Upgrade and concurrently use the XP license"

      Nice, friendly. It doesnt "Break" your old license. You could (if you chose to do so) run the Vista and XP on a second machine. Nothing except your conscience stops you.

      This digg story is 100% made-up, unadulterated MS bashing...More effort by Mac Fanboys to tarnish the Vista Launch.
  • gamerzworld, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Simple way to get around this, Anti-WPA! (Look on the pirate bay)
    I think I am in the clear since you don't have to activate OEM copies and the only two bought copies of XP that I have are installed on computers that can't run Vista.
  • JohnnySoftware, on 10/12/2007, -5/+5Well, that is what upgrade means.

    People who are not completely confident that every single program, extension, utility, document, service, and device is fully compatible with Vista can pay full price for a non-upgrade version. Or, they can wait until such time as Vista is.

    All this means is that people who upgrade from XP to Vista do not have a safety net.

    If that is true, then perhaps they should not upgrade. They might be better off keeping the old computer until such time that they need or want a new one. Then they can go comparison shop and decide what brand of computer they want: Apple, Dell, HP, etc.

    At the point they no longer care about their XP box, they can wipe the hard disk and turn it in for recycling/salvage.

    That is probably perfectly fine with most home users. Businesses are not going to stockpile a duplicate inventory of new computers. They will probably just wait until the time is right. If they start up a brand new department or division staffed with all new workers, that is probably a good time to introduce Vista because they don't have any existing documents and applications to worry about.

    The only concert then is device compatibility and compatibility with other services. That cuts the problems to worry about in half.

    The only drawback is that some businessmen will feel kind of tweaked that their kid has a newer, better computer at home than they have no their desk. But hey, maybe the kid has a brand new desk and their own desk is old too. C'est la vie.
  • ThinkFr33ly, on 10/12/2007, -2/+31This makes sense. If they didn't do this, you would be able to install your copy of XP on another machine as use it along side Vista. This defeats the entire point of an "Upgrade" copy of Vista.
    • jgtg32a, on 10/12/2007, -5/+15Thank you for being rational

      too bad we'll both get dugg down for it
    • Miche1987, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9You're both dugg up for being rational.

      I'd do it twice out of spite if I could.
    • cwalk, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3What if you install Vista and decide it doesn't run as well as you hoped, and you want to revert back to your legitimately owned copy of XP?
    • Wingnut233, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1From the sounds of it, you're perfectly able to revert back to XP, as long as you're not using your shiny new Vista upgrade at the same time.
  • Solkre, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2So you need to have Windows XP (or whatever) installed to upgrade to Vista with an upgrade disk. Does the install have an option to format the drive after verifying XP was on it, or will it only overwrite the current install leaving crap we don't want on the disk?
  • mancat, on 10/12/2007, -1/+26The key is NOT invalidated, and this clause has been part of the EULA for upgrade versions of Windows releases for YEARS. Quit being nancies and stop believing everything that gets posted on some random guy's blog. I know you guys are smarter than this. Here's the same clause present in the two previous releases of Windows. Neither one "invalidates" your key. You are just not legally allowed to use your old copy, which is WHY YOU GET A DISCOUNT!

    Windows XP:

    "9. UPGRADES. To use Software identified as an upgrade, you must first be licensed for the software identified by Microsoft as eligible for the upgrade. After upgrading, you may no longer use the software that formed the basis for your upgrade eligibility."

    Windows 2000:

    "3.�� UPGRADES. If the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is labeled as an upgrade, you must be properly licensed to use a product identified by Manufacturer, MS or Microsoft Corporation as being eligible for the upgrade in order to use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT ("Eligible Product"). For the purpose of upgrade products only, "HARDWARE" shall mean the computer system or computer system component with which you received the Eligible Product.� A SOFTWARE PRODUCT labeled as an upgrade replaces and/or supplements the Eligible Product which came with the HARDWARE.� After upgrading, you may no longer use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT that formed the basis for your upgrade eligibility.� You may use the resulting upgraded product only in accordance with the terms of this EULA and only with the HARDWARE. If the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is an upgrade of a component of a package of software programs that you licensed as a single product, the SOFTWARE PRODUCT may be used and transferred only as part of that single product package and may not be separated for use on more than one computer."
  • h4rdcor3, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2anyone know about corp keys?
  • Jerim, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9It's the same principle as if you took your car into get it "updated" with tinted windows. Once the windows are tinted, you don't get the updated car AND the original car back. You only get one or the other. That is the same case. Just as with the the tinted windows, you can always uninstall the update and go back to the original. You just can't use both at the same time.
  • mntpng, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5Let say you have XP running and then you decide to go buy a Vista upgrade. You install Vista and it turns out your machine can't handle Vista or you can't use some features or hardware because of missing driver. I expect this to be fairly common problem users may face. So you decide to go back to XP for time being until you buy more hardware or wait for Vista drivers to come out. And suddenly the WGA starts nagging you that you've stolen XP since XP license key is invalid? What the heck?
    • rhodesbr, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4mntpng1, you just re-install XP using your new Vista key and you're fine. Downgrade rights people, downgrade rights!!
    • ExSlashdotter, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1(EDIT: mean to reply to Jerim)

      Yes, that makes sense for a tangible item. An instance of a software installation is not a physical, tangible item in that way.

      What if you 'break' your windows installation and need to re-install (which should be perfectly acceptable)? You expect me to buy XP (my window) and Vista upgrade (tinting) all over again?
    • totorototoro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3"re-install XP using your new Vista key"

      lol, great one.
    • mancat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Let's say you read my comment above, mntpng.

      I like the new zinc release, btw. (wysoft)
    • chrisjs169, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4"mntpng1, you just re-install XP using your new Vista key and you're fine. Downgrade rights people, downgrade rights!!"

      And I thought that it took the WinXP key....
  • killerpoke, on 10/12/2007, -5/+11Yep, time for me to switch to a mac.
  • ExSlashdotter, on 10/12/2007, -6/+4Try this one on for size:

    Bob buys XP full version, installs it.
    Later, Bob buys Vista upgrade, and uses it, thereby invalidating his XP license.

    Now he needs to reformat his drive.
    If i remember correctly, the Vista upgrade discs won't allow a full install like previous versions did, but Bob has already invalidated his license for XP.

    So he's stuck?
    • jgtg32a, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7No because you can still install and have it sit on your computer for a few days before activating XP
    • codyfrisch, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1but what if vista won't install on a copy of XP that isn't activated?
    • SuperSloth, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3You've never done this with an existing upgrade disc, have you.

      Step 1: Boot Vista Upgrade disc and begin installation just like it was a normal (non-upgrade) disc
      Step 2: Installer says "show me a valid Windows XP CD" and ejects the Vista disc.
      Step 3: You insert the WinXP disc, the installer confirms it, and then ejects the WinXP disc.
      Step 4: Insert Vista disc again and finish installation.
    • kellymahan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3SuperSloth:

      Except that vista doesn't allow an install unless it sees the operating system already installed. They way you described it was true of the past, but not of Vista.
  • AMSRay, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Software licenses have used similar text for decades. If you buy an upgrade product at a lower cost than the full product, you lose rights to the previous version unless you remove the upgrade and reinstall the old version. Otherwise why would they sell an upgrade for less money? Deceptive headline and mostly speculative article. Now if Microsoft DOES disable the the original product so that you are unable to reinstall it, that would be news. I don't think even they are that stupid.
  • jeddyftb, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2Just solidified what I was thinking before I read the article: XP, you'll be the last version of Windows on any computer of mine. Ubuntu and Leopard get to battle for my heart over the next two years.
  • bagboyrebel, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1Can't you just install a new full version, without upgrading? Maybe not the most practical thing for everyone at the moment. At Oregon State everyone in the college of engineering gets Vista for free, so would this affect us.
  • lessew, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2How bout saving the wpa.dbl and wpa.bak files, and restoring them after a new xp install?
  • rwkyle, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1We have the biz version here with a MAK key and I tried an upgrade on my Dell D800 laptop. It failed at 62% and the only option was to roll back to Winxp. So good luck with an upgrade. Yes I did have my system backed up first.
  • drjekelmrhyde, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1XP key GEN by mrdude Google it you can change any XP key
    Damn all you computer people and no one said that yet
    • imdwalrus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"Computer people" doesn't necessarily mean "pirates," you know. I've never had need to change any of my license keys, and apparently I'm not alone.
  • nirav72, on 10/12/2007, -12/+5THOSE ***** ASSHOLES!! THIS PISSES ME OFF!
  • JohnnySoftware, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Probably IT departments that are charged with responsibilities for archiving documents and backing up computer systems will have kittens over this, if it is true.

    A lot probably won't mind. But some that think different hypothetical situations through will be stunned. Well, managers are paid to think things through and schedule/budget expenses.

    So they have the ability to regulate how/when/if Vista comes into their part of the organization.

    They could keep some PCs running XP, especially to run older/brittler software and use their existing printers and devices. Vista boxes might be able to run the latest printers or the ones that come out in the future. File/email/print servers might be better off running Linux. People that write documents and do creative work, or need a system with a Unix bedrock under the OS might prefer Macs. People whose job just requires them to use a web browser and an email application could probably be more efficiently/economically supported by a PC running Linux, with Firefox/Thunderbird installed.

    A little diversity helps limit the scope of crises from technical transitions/upgrades like this. It is also an ideal time to inject that diversity if it is not already in place. Conservatively, of course.

    You want to minimize costs and risks. In a time of transition, some companies and home computer users might turn the event of change to their advantage.
    • Xeppo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1What the hell did your post have to do with the article?

      Not to mention, it's a SysAdmin's nightmare to be running that many different OSes on a single network. Don't ever become a technology consultant. I could see running 2000/XP/Vista on the same network (since they have the same underpinnings), but OSX and Linux too? You really just wasted the 15 minutes of your life that it took you to write that.
  • benjie, on 10/12/2007, -6/+7The key is not invalidated. You're just "not allowed" to use your copy of XP anymore. This same thing has been in more than one of Microsoft's past OS upgrades before.

    Buried as inaccurate.
    • pinatamonkey, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I love how people stating the truth are getting dugg down. Fact is, the XP license will not be "invalidated", and the clause in EULA is normal and nothing new. It's an upgrade - if you're expecting to "be allowed" to use the copy of XP you upgraded from on another PC, you're an idiot - that's the whole point of buying an upgrade. If you want a copy of Vista on one machine, and XP on the other, buy the retail or OEM version of Vista, not the upgrade. (OEM is cheaper than upgrade anyway)
  • fuckingmorons, on 10/12/2007, -5/+7It doesn't deactivate the key. You all fail.
  • sodypop77, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3I doubt the XP key would get deactivated but if you are really paranoid just do a clean install and use a Windows 200 disk to validate the Vista upgrade eligibility. Hang on to your XP key for installing on the Mac you *should* own instead of a PC.
  • DigitalDud, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6It doesn't literally deactivate the key it just advises you that using it again is a EULA violation.
  • ohgr, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Ah glad I wasn't in a hurry to get my Upgrade yet. Nothing like early adopter blues.
  • miguel077, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3Buried, Inaccurate!
  • deadbaby, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Upgrades are always a bad choice. Always buy OEM full versions instead.
  • Essefgy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4If this is true it's the dumbest thing I've read in...a half hour or so.
  • 404UserNotFound, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9Seems inaccurate. I didn't see anything that stated that my XP CD Key would be 'deactivated' - and even if it is deactivated from online authentication Microsoft's tech support will help you activate over the phone. I've installed Windows XP from a disk using the CD Key from a Dell System Sticker - I called Microsoft when it wouldn't activate and they immediately issued me an activation key.

    What a bunch of religious zealots who jump on everything anti-Microsoft without verifying the facts. Good grief.
    • anonymoz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9sigh. and this is an example of the problem with digg.
  • KD5VMO, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3The EULA wont stop people, they will do it any way, why does Microsoft even try.
  • Fetching more discussions...
    Show 51 - 100 of 109 discussions
  •  

    Login or register to add a comment

    Create a new account or login to join in the conversation on Digg. You'll also be able to Digg stories to help promote things you like.


© Digg Inc. 2008 — Content posted by Digg users is dedicated to the public domain.
DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.